Compensation
Compensation
You may be entitled to a fixed amount of compensation if you meet these 3 criteria:
- your flight was delayed or cancelled, and as a result, your arrival time was more than 3 hours later than initially scheduled;
- you are travelling on a flight departing from an airport in the EU, or on a flight operated by a Community air carrier departing from an airport in a third country to an airport in the EU, unless local legal regulation applies in that third country;
- and your flight delay or cancellation was not caused by special circumstances, such as extreme weather, political instability, or third-party strikes.
For delays, cancellations, and denied boardings of passengers in Brazil, ANAC Resolution 400 from 13 December 2016 is applied.
Voucher types
If you’re entitled to compensation, you’ll get a travel voucher (also called an EMD voucher.) The amount of compensation depends on the type of voucher.
Check what applies to your trip:
- Was your original flight 1.500 km or less? You receive voucher type A with a value of EUR 350 (non-refundable) or EUR 250 (cash payment.)
- Was your original flight within the EU and more than 1.500 km, or outside the EU and between 1.500 and 3.500 km? You receive voucher type B with a value of EUR 500 (non-refundable) or EUR 400 (cash payment.)
- Was your original flight outside the EU and more than 3.500 km? You receive voucher type C with a value of EUR 800 (non-refundable) or EUR 600 (cash payment.)
Your voucher will be either non-refundable or provided to you as a cash payment; this will be indicated on the travel voucher you receive.
You can use a non-refundable travel voucher to purchase a new flight or extra options. You can also spend your cash payment on a new flight or extra options, or exchange it for cash. If you choose to use it for a new flight or extra options, the higher value of a non-refundable voucher applies.
Reduction of compensation
Have you arrived less than 2 hours (voucher type A), 3 hours (voucher type B), or 4 hours (voucher type C) after your original flight was scheduled to arrive? Then your compensation might be reduced by 50%.
Using your voucher
You’ll receive an e-mail with a voucher number that consists of 13 digits, starting with 074. You can also find the voucher number in your profile. The voucher is valid for 1 year after you received it.
You can use a maximum of 2 KLM vouchers during checkout to purchase a new KLM, Air France, Delta Air Lines, or Virgin Atlantic ticket and extra options. If you do not spend the entire amount at once, you’ll receive the remaining credit in the form of a new voucher.
Note that you cannot use a voucher to pay for KLM Holidays or taxes on Flying Blue reward tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, possibly. You may be entitled to flight compensation if:
- your delayed flight caused you to arrive more than 3 hours later than initially scheduled;
- you departed from or flew to a European destination;
- your flight was not delayed because of special circumstances such as extreme weather, political instability, or third-party strikes.
If your arrival was more than 3 hours later than initially scheduled, you may be entitled to compensation.
Yes, possibly. You may be entitled to flight compensation if:
- your cancelled flight caused you to arrive more than 3 hours later than initially scheduled;
- you were scheduled to depart from or fly to a European destination;
- your flight was not cancelled because of special circumstances such as extreme weather, political instability, or third-party strikes.
Yes, possibly. You may be entitled to flight compensation if:
- your rebooked flight caused you to arrive more than 3 hours later than initially scheduled;
- you departed from or flew to a European destination;
- your flight was not cancelled because of special circumstances such as extreme weather, political instability, or third-party strikes.
European Union regulations state that airlines are required to compensate passengers for cancelled or delayed flights if they meet the following criteria:
- Arrival more than 3 hours later than scheduled
- Flight to or from the European Union
- Delay or cancellation not caused by special circumstances
Read more about
Cancelling a flight
What to do if you want to cancel (part of) your trip.
Changing a flight
How to change your travel date, departure time, or destination.
Travel voucher conditions
If you receive a refund in the form of a travel voucher, these are the conditions.
Passenger Rights
Your rights in case of cancellations, delays, downgrading, and denied boarding. Implementation of European regulations 261/2004.