KLM DELAYED FLIGHT COMPENSATION RIGHT FOR FLIGHT CANCELLATION/DELAY

You are eligible to compensation if you were forcibly denied boarding, your KLM flight was cancelled, or you arrived after a trip that was delayed by at least three hours as enshrined in the EC Regulation 261/2004. The compensation amounts are as follows: €250 for flights of 1500 km or less, €400 for flights within Europe exceeding 1500 km and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 km, and €600 for flights of 3500 km or more. Additionally, you have the right to receive certain care services, which include:

1. Provision of meals and refreshment vouchers proportionate to the waiting time.

2. Two phone calls, telexes, faxes, or emails.

3. Accommodation and transportation between the airport and the place of accommodation for longer delays.

However, there are some exceptions. The compensation amount for flight cancellations can be reduced by 50% depending on the duration of the delay at your final destination. The same applies to flights exceeding 3500 kilometers that are delayed by 3 to 4 hours.

Instead of receiving €600, you will be eligible for €300. If you accept a KLM non-refundable voucher, the amount should be higher than the predetermined amounts under EU261. The specific amount depends on the flight length and can be €350, €500, or €800.

What Are The KLM Delayed Flight Compensation Rights of EU Air Passengers?

EU air passengers are protected by EC 261, Europe’s comprehensive air passenger rights. These rights apply to all KLM flights departing from or arriving at European airports. Passengers can expect respectful treatment in flight delays, cancellations, or overbookings and may be eligible for the KLM flight delays compensation. Making claims for previous flights within the last three years is also possible.

Compensation For KLM Flight Delays: What Are The Rights Of Airline Passengers When Their KLM Aircraft is Delayed?

Regarding KLM flight delays, if you experience a KLM flight delay for 2 hours at departure, you have the right to receive ‘care’ according to EU law. KLM is obligated to provide the following:

• A meal and refreshments in the form of food vouchers.

• Communication facilities, including at least two phone calls.

KLM must provide complimentary accommodations if your flight is delayed for more than six hours or if you have to spend the night. They will be liable for your:

• Hotel accommodations.

• Transportation to and from the airport.

If KLM refuses to arrange the necessary care, it is advisable to keep receipts for any additional expenses incurred due to the delay. At the end of your journey, you can request a full refund. In the case of a 5-hour flight delay (or more), you can also request a refund for the delayed flight from KLM.

Additionally, you may be eligible for compensation if your KLM flight arrives at your final destination with a delay of 3 hours or more and the flight departs from or arrives in the EU. The compensation amounts specified earlier apply in such cases, provided that the delay was caused by KLM and not due to ‘exceptional circumstances.’

It is important to note that weather conditions, air traffic control limitations, airport worker strikes, medical emergencies, and security hazards are considered exceptional circumstances. Technical challenges, mechanical issues, and operational reasons, on the other hand, do not constitute unusual circumstances. Although airlines might try to use these excuses to avoid compensating passengers for missing flights, passengers should be properly informed of their rights.

Passenger Rights in the United Kingdom

Following Brexit rules, the UK has introduced its air passenger rights known as UK261. These regulations align with the EU261 rules, offering similar protections to passengers flying with UK-based airlines or departing from UK airports.

UK261 covers a range of flight disruptions, including cancellations, delays, denied boarding, and missed connections, and ensures that passengers receive appropriate compensation. Like its EU counterpart, UK261 provides varying compensation amounts based on the delay duration and the flight distance. Typically, the compensation is capped at £520 per passenger.

What Happens If a KLM Delay Causes Me to Miss My Connecting Flight?

If a delay with KLM causes you to miss a connecting flight, according to EC261, you may be entitled to compensation from KLM if both flights are booked under the same reservation. It is important to check if your reservation number (PNR or booking number) is the same for both flights to determine eligibility for reimbursement.

KLM Performance Reviews: What’s The On-Time Performance of KLM?

KLM has a good on-time performance record, with an average punctuality rate of 86%. Only 14% of their flights arrive 15 minutes late or more, and even in cases of delays, the average delay is approximately 41 minutes. KLM’s flight performance is considered excellent, with a grade of 8.5.

Compensation For KLM Flight Cancellation: If My KLM Flight is Cancelled, what Should I Do?

In the event of a flight cancellation by KLM, it is important to take appropriate action. KLM will usually rebook affected customers on alternative flights to their destinations. However, under EC 261, if KLM cancels a flight less than 14 days before the scheduled departure, they must compensate each affected customer up to $700. Make a request as soon as you can if KLM does not automatically provide another flight.

Customers have several options, including:

1. A rerouted flight to the destination (subject to seat availability).

2. A flight to the destination at a later date of their choosing (subject to seat availability).

3. A refund for the cancelled flight (partial or full).

Regarding flight cancellations caused by unforeseen circumstances, such as incidents at the airport or adverse weather conditions, KLM is not to be held liable for compensation. However, they must provide passengers with an alternative flight or a full refund.

What About KLM Flights That Are Cancelled Due To the Coronavirus Pandemic?

During the coronavirus pandemic, flight cancellations by KLM are generally considered extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, KLM may refund the cancelled flight ticket.

How Long Does It Take For KLM To Compensate Or Reimburse You?

The duration for KLM flight delays compensation process requests is typically between 2 to 4 weeks, although it may take approximately 11 weeks for claims to be fully resolved. In some cases involving intervention from a court or National Enforcement Body (NEB), KLM may take around 12 weeks to provide adequate compensation.

The rating for their compensation handling performance is 5.6, slightly above average. We examined the time KLM took to process compensation claims in 2019. On average, KLM confirmed payment 72 days after receiving the claim. This duration slightly exceeded their initial claim, but it remains significantly better compared to most other airlines.

Which Is Preferable: A KLM Bank Transfer Or A Voucher? Should I Accept KLM’s Offer Of An EMD Voucher as Compensation?

This serves as a notable instance where airlines try to circumvent their responsibility of providing the compensation mandated by EU Regulation 261/2004, displaying a deceptive approach. When given the option, choosing a bank transfer over a KLM compensation voucher is generally better. In some cases, when filing a compensation claim for a cancelled flight on klm.com, an EMD voucher may be offered instead of the expected bank transfer.

KLM airline offers two types of compensation vouchers: Refundable (the more cost-effective option) and Non-refundable (the higher-priced alternative). While KLM refundable voucher can be exchanged for money, non-refundable vouchers can only be used to book another flight within the Air France-KLM group.

Accepting Vouchers

Flight vouchers provided by airlines as a temporary fix for flight interruptions are often advised to be declined. Several factors support this suggestion. First, these vouchers frequently have restrictions, such as the fact that they can only be used with the same airline and have blackout dates or specific flight alternatives.

Secondly, studies have indicated that many passengers do not end up utilizing these vouchers, rendering them ineffective compensation in the long run. Lastly, accepting a flight voucher from the airline may waive your right to seek additional compensation for the flight disruption, which is a crucial consideration. Therefore, it is more advantageous to decline airline vouchers in such situations.

What Is KLM’s Cancellation Policy For Flights Booked Within 24 Hours?

For flights booked within 24 hours, KLM has a cancellation policy that allows for a full refund if the flight is canceled within that time frame. This policy aligns with similar policies implemented by many US airlines as mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Customer Service at KLM: How Do I File a Complaint with KLM?

To file a complaint with KLM, you can contact the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines customer service directly by dialing 1 (800) 618-0104. Average phone wait time with KLM is 54 minutes.

Alternatively, our legal experts can help you with a risk free and no win no fee service. Our legal team has extensive experience with KLM for flight delay and cancellation compensation, and KLM is usually quick to pay when our legal team gets involved. In fact, we succeed in getting compensation in more than 98% of the cases in court that we handle with them. You can claim your flight delay compensation with us online in less than 2 minutes.

How Much Compensation Does KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines Flight Award to Customers?

Distance	Compensation
Flights under 1,500 km Up to €250 per person	Up to €250 per person
Internal EU flights over 1,500 km	Up to €400 per person
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 – 3,500 km	Up to €400 per person
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km	Up to €600 per person

KLM Baggage Allowance

Carry-On Baggage: Economy Class

Passengers are allowed 1 carry-on bag with maximum dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 10 inches) and a weight of up to 12 kg (26 lbs).

Business Class:

Passengers are allowed 2 carry-on bags with maximum dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 10 inches) each, and a total weight of up to 18 kg (40 lbs).

Additionally, passengers are allowed 1 personal item, such as a handbag, briefcase, or laptop, with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 inches).

Checked Baggage:

Economy Class

Passengers can bring 1 checked bag with maximum dimensions of length + width + height not exceeding 158 cm (62 inches) and a maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lbs).

Business Class:

Passengers can bring 2 checked bags, each with maximum dimensions of length + width + height not exceeding 158 cm (62 inches) and a maximum weight of 32 kg (70.5 lbs).

Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum members, as well as SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, can bring 1 additional checked bag with the same dimensions and weight restrictions on flights operated by SkyTeam airlines.>

Please note: passengers with “The Light Ticket” option do not have the allowance for check-in baggage.

KLM Destinations List

Alphabet Representation

Actual Destination/Cities

A	Angola (Luanda), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Aruba (Oranjestad), Austria (Graz, Vienna).
B	Bahrain (Manama), Belgium (Brussels), Brazil (Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo).
C	Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver), Chile (Santiago), China (Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xiamen), Colombia (Bogotá, Cartagena), Costa Rica (San José), Croatia (Split, Zagreb), Cuba (Havana), Curaçao (Willemstad), Chezh Republic (Prague).
D	Denmark (Aalborg, Billund, Copenhagen).
E	Ecuador (Guayaquil, Quito).
F	Finland (Helsinki), France (Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Toulouse).
G	Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart), Ghana (Accra), Greece(Athens).
H	Hungary (Budapest).
I	India (Delhi, Mumbai), Indonesia (Denpasar, Jakarta), Ireland (Dublin), Israel (Tel-Aviv), Italy (Bologna, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Milan, Naples, Rome, Turin, Venice).
J	Japan (Osaka, Tokyo).
K	Kenya (Nairobi), Kuwait (Kuwait City).
L	Luxembourg (Luxembourg City).
M	Mauritius (Port Louis), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Mexico(Mexico City).
N	Namibia (Windhoek), Netherlands (Amsterdam, Kralendijk), Nigeria (Lagos), Norway (Ålesund, Bergen, Kristiansand, Oslo, Sandefjord, Stavanger, Trondheim).
O	Oman (Muscat).
P	Panama (Panama City), Peru (Lima), Philippines (Manila), Poland (Gdańsk, Kraków, Warsaw), Portugal (Lisbon, Porto)
R	Romania (Bucharest), Russia (Moscow, Saint Petersburg), Rwanda (Kigali).
S	South Korea (Seoul), Spain (Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, Madrid, Málaga, Valencia), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Saudi Arabia (Dammam), Singapore (Singapore), Sint Maarten (Philipsburg), Suriname (Paramaribo), Sweden (Gothenburg, Linköping, Stockholm, Växjö), Switzerland (Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Geneva, Zürich), South Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg).
T	Taiwan (Taipei), Thailand (Bangkok), Turkey(Istanbul), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro).
U	Uganda (Entebbe), Ukraine (Kiev), London, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich), United States (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai), United Kingdom (Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kingston upon Hull, Leeds/Bradford, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, New York City, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C.).

Please keep in mind that KLM European destinations include:

Europe and the European Union (EU) refer to all EU Member States, including the United Kingdom (UK), as well as Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, the Canary Islands, Mayotte, Norway, French Guiana, the Azores, Martinique, Reunion, Madeira, Iceland, and Switzerland.

What The Term “Extraordinary Circumstances” Mean In KLM Arrangement

When discussing flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, or denied boarding with KLM, the concept of “extraordinary circumstances” holds significant importance. It refers to situations beyond the airline’s control and management capabilities. These events couldn’t have been prevented even if all possible measures were taken.>

The primary focus in such situations remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, even if it may result in significant inconvenience. It is important to note that each flight disruption scenario is unique, and the specifics of your case should be clarified as different considerations may apply under EU261 regulations.