KLM Flight Delay Compensation
KLM operates flights through Amsterdam Schiphol. If your flight arrived 3+ hours late, EU261 may apply depending on the route and circumstances. Check free in 60 seconds.
Check My KLM Flight →How much can I claim from KLM?
- 🛫 Short flights (under 1,500 km) — €250
- 🛫 Medium flights (1,500–3,500 km) — €400
- 🛫 Long-haul (over 3,500 km) — €600
Clairo caps its estimate at €400 when both ends of the route are EU/EEA/UK airports, mirroring the intra-Community cap in Article 7(1)(b); it only estimates €600 where one end lies outside that area. Long UK–EU routes sit at the edge of that cap, so treat the figure as an estimate and check the position for your route.
The band follows the great-circle distance of your route: Amsterdam–London is ~370 km (€250 band) and Amsterdam–Athens is ~2,160 km (€400 band).
Is KLM covered by EU261?
KLM is an EU carrier based in the Netherlands. EU261 coverage depends on the route and operating carrier, including for itineraries through Amsterdam Schiphol.
How much can I claim from KLM for a flight delay?
€250 for flights under 1,500 km (Amsterdam–London, Amsterdam–Brussels), €400 for 1,500–3,500 km (Amsterdam–Cairo, Amsterdam–Tel Aviv), and €600 for long-haul over 3,500 km such as Amsterdam–New York (~5,900 km), Amsterdam–Tokyo (~9,350 km), or Amsterdam–Cape Town (~9,700 km). Article 7(1)(b) sets €400 for intra-Community flights over 1,500 km, so the €600 band applies only where one end of the route lies outside that area; Clairo treats EU/EEA and UK airports as inside it, and long UK–EU routes sit at the edge of the cap.
How do I submit a compensation request to KLM?
KLM provides an online customer-care process for compensation and expense requests. Keep the submission confirmation and any response. For an unresolved dispute, consult current Dutch ILT and applicable dispute-resolution guidance.
Do delays caused by congestion at Amsterdam Schiphol count?
General airport congestion at Schiphol is not in itself an extraordinary circumstance under EU261. Delays caused by gate unavailability, ground traffic, or KLM's own operational decisions fall within the airline's control. Externally imposed ATC restrictions and severe weather are assessed differently, and each case turns on the specific event and the reasonable measures taken.
How long do I have to claim from KLM?
Claim deadlines depend on the applicable jurisdiction. Check current official guidance for the route and preserve your booking, submission and disruption evidence promptly.
Common KLM delay reasons that qualify
- ✅ Aircraft technical fault
- ✅ Crew scheduling or duty time issues
- ✅ Late inbound aircraft (rotational delay)
- ✅ Schiphol gate/slot congestion within KLM's operational control
- ❌ Schiphol ATC or Dutch airspace restrictions (extraordinary)
- ❌ Extreme weather at Amsterdam or destination
- ❌ Third-party ground handler strikes
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