ecollier

A few weeks ago I was travelling back from Norway with KLM and had a flight cancellation. I am in the process of trying to get compensated, but am a little confused as to how much I can ask for. I have read about the EU rules regarding flight compensation, and I think I should qualify for the 600 euro based on those rules

1,500 km or less - EUR 250
1,500 - 3,500 km - EUR 400
over 3,500 km - EUR 600

Here is my issue. We were flying from Oslo to Amsterdam (on a KLM flight). This is the one that was canceled. This cancellation cause us to miss our connecting flights from Amsterdam to Portland and Portland to Reno (on flights with KLM flight numbers but operated by Delta). KLM is claiming we should only be reimbursed 250 euro for the single flight, saying they are not responsible for the rest because it was a different airline (even though it has a KLM flight number).

Is this correct? Or should I push to get the full 600?

Any advice would be appreciated. The cancellation caused us to arrive home a full 24 hours later than we should have, miss an entire day or work, and the whole thing has been a huge headache.

janisj

I sure don't know - tough one. But I suspect KLM may be correct.

The flight was on Delta -- but just a KLM codeshare.

By any chance - did you book via KLM or was it booked via Delta? Perhaps (just maybe) if the whole thing was booked via KLM you have a stronger case.

But this is all sort of 'stream of consciousness' thinking it through.

Let us know how it turns out.

Odin

So they did rebook you and you got home 24 hours later than planned? Did you travel the next day, did they put you up in a hotel and pay for meals? Why was the flight cancelled, was it due to technical reasons? If you feel your inconvenience was worth more than EUR250 per person, then push for more. Must be terrible to arrive home 24 hours later than planned and miss a day's work.

ellenbw

Hold out for more compensation. Here is my story:

I was on a Delta/KLM flight last fall out of SFO connecting through Amsterdam to Nairobi. The flight was KLM but I booked through Expedia and it was listed as a Delta flight and I earned Delta miles. The flight was delayed for 20 min, 40 min, and then about 2-3 hours, for a mechanical software issue. We had no chance to re-schedule because they kept saying we would board momentarily. At boarding they assured us we would be fine and would get our connection and they would make up time in the air. They lied. Most people on our flight missed their connections. We thought we were safe as they read off the long list of missed planes, but at the last minute they added the Nairobi connection - there were 19 people going on to Nairobi. We were physically in the terminal before the Nairobi plane took off, but no, they would not hold it for 10 minutes for us to get on board.

The next flight was 10 hours later and it was delayed about an hour. We missed our first hotel night in Nairobi (non-refundable) and were absolutely exhausted on our all day tour (planned after what we thought would be a good night's sleep)for the following day. We still went but had to shorten the tour due to exhaustion as we barely slept on the plane.

My friend and I each wrote complaint letters to Delta and received about $670 in compensation each. I did not specify a dollar amount that I requested, just outlined our problems with the lack of ability to change our flights when the delays began, the rude treatment at the Amsterdam airport by KLM staff, and the long lines to deal with everything. I felt satisfied with this resolution although I would have preferred to be there on time and enjoy my first day of vacation!

Whathello

My plane was one hour late yesterday.
All of this because there has been a terrorist attack on Ataturk.
I think I should claim. The ones who wanted to board on tuesday cannot claim, as they are dead. But I was one hour late, gave me quite a headache. Or am I being selfish ?
If you cannot stand a delay, don't travel. But if you like to claim then go, you might even get it.

eliztravels2

The OP has a legitimate question. Why respond as though this is whining or selfish? European airlines have regulations regarding compensation for delays that they are required to follow. The OP is just trying to find out if they have been followed or if they are legitimately entitled to receive more. Nothing wrong with sticking up for your rights.

janisj

The only metal KLM had any control over was the flight that was cancelled and they are offering you compensation for <i>that</i> flight.

Whathello

Because KLM offered compensation but it never is enough for some. So they want more, then they claim. It is not my problem and I was a little bit upset that day.
I find people are always asking for more - as I said, problems occur when traveling and if you don't accept it stay home.

newtome

is it a KLM ticket? and are all the flights on one ticket? then I would press for the higher compensation. Disregard what whatehllo says

Cowboy1968

When the full trip leaving the EU is on 'one ticket', connecting flights are covered. Regardless how many transfers it takes (including those completely outside the EU), the arrival time at the very final destination counts to compute compensation.

You should contact KLM again (best by registered snail mail or telefax) and demand compensation of €600, following the well-known ECJ ruling in Case C11-11 with regard to responsibilities for connecting flights.

Check also the EU Commission's website for passenger rights.

For further reading:
http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/d...cp130018en.pdf

DebbieDoesDulles

Agree with Cowboy.

My experience was with United, we had an 8 hr delay from LHR to USA once. They offered a 100E future credit. Later they mailed us 200E credits and said we had a year to use them and this was their final offer. We sent in all the paperwork, to the airline and to the commission, and a month later we had our 600E checks in the mail.

Christina

I don't think you qualify for the higher compensation because the rules exactly state that it is based on the distance of the flight that is cancelled. It isn't the distance of all the travel you may have that day, just the one that was cancelled. The second flight had a different flight number, I presume? It isn't an issue of being "responsible" for flights, just what the rules are.

It isn't clear what damages were suffered, it sounds just like you wasted some time and were delayed, but you were put on another flight with no cost. Stuff happens when you are flying long distances, and while it is unpleasant, I suspect legally they are perfectly right. Back in the good old days, you got nothing as I was delayed an entire day coming back from France on AA due to their own fault (mechanical problems) and I got nothing. They did pay for the hotel for the night, sure, was that an issue in this case? But I got no compensation for wasted time.

It also does matter what the reason for the delay was. If it was weather, you are owed nothing but they probably would have said that already.

Cowboy1968

<i>I don't think you qualify for the higher compensation because the rules exactly state that it is based on the distance of the flight that is cancelled.</i>

That is incorrect.