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 travelled to, from, or via a European destination;
- and your flight delay or cancellation was not caused by special circumstances, such as extreme weather, political instability, or third-party strikes.
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 (refundable.)
- 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 (refundable.)
- 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 (refundable.)
Your voucher will be either non-refundable or refundable; 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 refundable travel voucher 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.
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.
Assistance and compensation
In case of cancellations, delays, downgrading, and denied boarding, these are your rights to assistance and compensation.