Korean Air Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Korean Air who have faced a flight cancellation or delay are legally entitled to compensation. According to EU 261, airlines must compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

Korean Air Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Korean Air compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of delay or flight cancellation.

Korean Air Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you land at your final destination.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation depends on various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight:

Less than 3 hours	Between 3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Distance
€0	€250	€250	All flights up to 1500 km
€0	€400	€400	All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0	€400	€400	All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0	€300	€600	All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Be aware you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Korean Air isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This covers severe weather conditions, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In these instances, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Korean Air Compensation for Flight Cancellation

European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to inform passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. Nevertheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

When accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their claim for compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated according to two criteria: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, in line with the table provided below:

Under 2 hours	2-3 hours	3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Never arrived	Distance
€125	€250	€250	€250	€250	All flights 1,500 km or less
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300	€300	€300	€600	€600	Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Korean Air is not obliged to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Additionally, you usually won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline staff goes on strike.

Are Korean Air Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, Korean Air is not a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Korean Air

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Korean Air, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you’re owed. There may be plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Korean Air goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Korean Air is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: Korean Air offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Korean Air arranges hotel room accommodation. This covers transportation to and from the airport and the hotel.
• Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airline staff at the airport for instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Korean Air cancels a flight, passengers can choose to receive a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and assisting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances successfully.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can receive full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
• Rebooking: if you choose to continue your trip, Korean Air shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to choose an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Korean Air will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s crucial to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking involves connecting flights, Korean Air shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations