EC 261 protects passengers who are flying throughout Europe, including those on KLM Royal Dutch. If you face a delay or cancelation that could have been avoided, you may be eligible to receive up to €600 in compensation. First, you must file a claim, and here’s everything you need to know.
What are Your Passengers Rights with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines?
EU 261 protects your rights, regardless of the airline that you’re traveling on, as long as you’re in the European Union or meet other qualifying circumstances. Depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation, you have the right to a refund, rerouting, and care, including meals, accommodation, and more.
Flight Delay Compensation
When your flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to basic care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transportation (where applicable), and access to communication. If your delay is three hours or more, you can also request reimbursement and transportation to your point of origin.
You are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid as a non-fundable transportation voucher or refundable voucher.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You may be entitled to additional compensation if you were notified of the cancellation less than two weeks before the departure and your new arrival and departure times are significantly different than your original times.
You’ll need to contact customer service to receive your compensation, which can be issued as non-refundable or refundable vouchers.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The amount may vary based on the type of compensation you request, and you might get a better value when you choose their transportation credit.
Calculate your compensation
What to Do in Case of Delays or Cancellations?
Unfortunately, cancelation and delays happen. Here’s all you need to know.
Delays
- If your flight is delayed, take note of your original departure time, the date of which you were notified, and any other information that is relevant.
- If your delay is two hours or more and you’re already at the airport, you are entitled to care. Work with customer service to receive meals, refreshments, accommodation, transportation, communication, and more, though what you are entitled to will depend on the length of your delay.
- After you get to your final destination, contact customer service to receive additional compensation. Depending on the length of your flight and the destination, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Cancellation
- If your flight is canceled, take note of your original flight, the date you were notified, and any other information that could be helpful.
- If your cancelation occurred before you arrived at the airport, work with customer service to rebook your flight or rebook it yourself.
- If your flight was canceled while at the airport, work with customer service to help get you on the next available flight. If you are entitled to care, they should offer it to you at this point.
- Following your flight, contact customer service for additional compensation, providing all documentation. You could receive up to €600 in compensation.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Refund Policy
You may qualify for a refund if your flight is cancelled or delayed when travelling with KLM Royal Dutch. Connect with their customer service team to understand your options. If the alternative flight does not work for you, you can get a full or partial refund.
On top of that, you can also get compensated for your inconvenience under EC 261, as long as the issue was within the airline’s control. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your issue, you could receive up to €600 in addition. You qualify for both, even if you get a full refund, but you have to file a claim.
Recently Disrupted KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flights
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
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About Klm Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the flagship carrier of the Netherlands, though its parent company is Air France-KLM. Its headquartered in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and has hubs in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. They are part of the SkyTeam and Sky Cargo alliance. Founded in 1919, it’s one of the oldest operating airlines in the world, with a fleet of 110 aircrafts. This only grows when you include subsidiaries KLM Cityhopper, KLM Asia, Martinair, Transavia, and Cygnific.
KLM Royal Dutch services 145 destinations throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and the Middle East. They offer passenger and cargo flights.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Disruption Statistics
| Year | All Disrupted Flights | Cancelled Flights | Delayed Flights |
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Conclusion
KLM Royal Dutch is covered under EC 261, so if your flight is canceled or delayed and it doesn’t qualify as unforeseen circumstances, you can claim additional compensation of up to €600 per passenger. It’s your responsibility to file a claim, so don’t forget to contact KLM’s customer service to start the process. This page was updated on June 2023.