KLM compensation: how to claim
KLM is registered in Netherlands, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Netherlands (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Amsterdam (AMS)
- Typical first response
- About 35 days
- Time limit where it is based
- 2 years (Netherlands)
KLM is registered in Netherlands, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because KLM is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How KLM handles claims
The Netherlands has a TWO-year limitation period, among the shortest in Europe. A KLM claim goes stale far faster than a British Airways or Lufthansa one, so do not sit on it.
The van der Lans case, which established that a sudden unforeseen technical fault is still not an extraordinary circumstance, was decided against KLM. If they cite an unexpected technical problem, that judgment is directly on point.
Schiphol is a connecting hub, so missed connections are a large share of KLM claims. On a single booking the three hours is measured at your final destination.
The Dutch enforcement body is the Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT).
What a delay on KLM is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam (AMS) → Paris (CDG) | 399 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Amsterdam (AMS) → Barcelona (BCN) | 1,241 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Amsterdam (AMS) → Rome (FCO) | 1,297 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Amsterdam (AMS) → Dublin (DUB) | 750 km | EU261 | €250 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from KLM, by what happened
- KLM: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- KLM: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- KLM: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- KLM: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your KLM flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to KLM yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
KLM: common questions
How much compensation can I get from KLM?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. KLM is registered in Netherlands, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does KLM have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against KLM?
In Netherlands, where KLM is based, the limit is 2 years, counted from the scheduled arrival date — one of the shorter windows in Europe, so do not sit on it. You can usually also claim where your flight departed or arrived, which may give you longer — for example six years in England and Wales.
Where do I send a claim to KLM?
KLM takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Customer Care, P.O. Box 7700, 1117 ZL Schiphol, Netherlands. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old KLM flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.