KLM delayed flight compensation
If your KLM flight arrived more than three hours late, you are owed €250, €400 or €600 per passenger under EU261 — decided by distance, not by ticket price. Yes on any flight departing the EU or EEA, and — because KLM is licensed in NL — also on flights arriving in the EU/EEA.
| Distance | EU261 | UK261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | £220 |
| Over 1,500 km within the EU | €400 | £350 |
| 1,500–3,500 km | €400 | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 | £520 |
What KLM typically does
- —Straightforward when the delay is documented.
- —Dutch limitation period is only 2 years — do not sit on it.
- —Typical time to a first reply: about 6 weeks.
Questions
How much compensation do I get for a delayed KLM flight?+
€250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km or over 1,500 km within the EU, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km — per passenger, if you arrived more than three hours late and KLM can't prove an extraordinary circumstance. UK departures pay £220, £350 or £520.
Does EU261 apply to KLM?+
Yes on any flight departing the EU or EEA, and — because KLM is licensed in NL — also on flights arriving in the EU/EEA.
How long does KLM take to reply?+
Typically about 6 weeks. If you've heard nothing after six, that's normal rather than a bad sign — send the follow-up letter, then escalate to the ILT.