Flight cancellations can mess up even the best travel plans.
It’s not just about the hassle; it’s about not knowing what will happen next.
Will KLM give you a new flight if they cancel your flight? Yes, because they should provide the next available flight. However, it might take a while for them to arrange it, and you might end up waiting at the airport all day or flying only a few days later. In this article, we’ll discuss both – how it should work and what to do if the reality is different.
You Have a Right to Alternative Travel Options From KLM
KLM is a European airline.
If KLM cancels a flight, they must provide two choices for passengers.
The first choice is to get a full refund of the ticket price, while the second option is to change the flight date for free. If it’s a last-minute flight cancellation, it is natural to want a flight departing as soon as possible (next available flight).
This is also what the law says KLM must provide. It is the same for all cancellations. You have the right to request a flight that departs as close to the original time as possible.
This new flight must be provided at no extra cost.
These rules apply as long as the airline is based in Europe or the flight originates from a European country. For non-European airlines, these regulations only apply to flights departing from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Partner Airlines
Sometimes, KLM may book you on a partner airline if there aren’t any good KLM flights available. Alternatively, they might book you on a completely different airline.
This can be a handy option, but it might not always be possible.
If you notice other, better flight options that can get you to where you need to go, it’s a good idea to bring it up with the KLM staff – especially when deciding what to do after your KLM flight gets cancelled. This is particularly useful if the flight cancellation is at the last minute and you are already at the airport.
How it should be working?
You should be put on the next flight to your destination.
With KLM or another airline.
It’s Taking Longer Than Expected
Here are a few of the most likely scenarios:
- You can’t get in touch with KLM.
- The new flight is delayed by several hours.
- KLM is offering a new flight that is a few days later, which isn’t suitable for you.
The first option is difficult. You could buy a new ticket and then request reimbursement from KLM later, but this could complicate things, as you haven’t taken into account what the airline was offering all passengers whose flights were cancelled. Proving that KLM was unreachable and that you made the best possible decision could be tough.
In the second case, you have the right to request a different flight. According to EC261, you are entitled to be taken to your destination “under similar travel conditions at the earliest possibility.” This means that the flight could be with a different airline and might involve a connecting flight instead of a direct one if that’s the best alternative.
Be aware that KLM might not agree to this and could insist on you taking their offered flight.
In the third scenario, you have the same rights as in the second. You can request a more suitable flight at a more convenient time. Additionally, you have the option to purchase a new flight yourself if no other solutions are offered and then file a claim from the airline.
Try to Negotiate With KLM
Yes, in every circumstance, it’s simpler to “just purchase a new ticket”.
But – receiving any money back from KLM later can prove to be ten times more difficult than discussing a better flight option at the moment of the issue.
Always, attempt to negotiate with the airline when the issue arises. If your KLM flight is cancelled, approach KLM staff at the airport or call them, discuss alternatives that work best for you, and identify the best substitute for your initial flight. Don’t be rude or aggressive, be open for feedback.
Do You Have Travel Insurance?
If your flight gets cancelled, and the airline is only offering flights that don’t fit into your plans, it can be a lifesaver to have travel insurance that covers cancellations.
This way, you can “just purchase a new flight”, and get your money back from the travel insurance company. Additionally, you can get a refund for flight cancellation from KLM and sometimes even flight cancellation compensation (if it’s the airline’s fault and it happened less than 2 weeks before departure).
No matter the reason for the flight cancellation, with most KLM flights you are entitled to be offered a choice between a new flight and a refund.
Read more: What to Do If KLM Does Not Provide Alternative Travel Options
KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation
If your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the departure time, and it’s the airline’s fault, you often have the right to flight cancellation compensation.
You may also choose to receive both a full refund and flight compensation.
- For European airlines, these rights apply to all their flights.
- For non-European airlines, these rights apply to flights departing from Europe.
KLM Flight Cancellation Refund
First of all, getting a refund is not the same as receiving compensation.
A refund means getting back the money you spent on your plane ticket.
If, for example, KLM cancels a flight, you usually have the right to choose between a full refund and a new flight. You can opt for a full refund to your bank account and decline the alternative flight that KLM offers.
As we’ve talked about before, you may choose to get a full refund if the alternative flight doesn’t suit you, you’re not interested in negotiating anything else and you plan to “just buy a new flight”. Or perhaps you’ve decided not to travel at all.
In this situation, you don’t have to accept vouchers.
Have questions about your rights regarding a new flight in case of cancellation or KLM flight cancellation compensation? Feel free to ask in the comments below.