How long do I have to claim for a flight delayed at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)?

The Netherlands applies a 2-year prescription period for EU261 claims (Article 8:1835 of the Dutch Civil Code). This is longer than Belgium (1 year) but shorter than France (5 years). If your AMS flight was nearly 2 years ago, act immediately.

Which airlines operate at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is the home base of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and one of Europe's busiest airports. Other airlines operating at AMS include easyJet, Transavia, Ryanair, Vueling, TUI fly and Wizz Air, plus many international carriers. All departing flights fall under EU261.

⚠️ Note — Netherlands passengers: In the Netherlands, the deadline to claim EU261 compensation is 2 years (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code). If your AMS flight was nearly 2 years ago, act immediately.

Flight Delayed or Cancelled at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)? Claim Up to €600

Q: My KLM flight from AMS was delayed — am I entitled to compensation?

Yes. KLM is a European airline and AMS is an EU airport. EU261 applies in full. If your flight arrived 3 hours or more late at the final destination, you are entitled to €250, €400 or €600 depending on the flight distance.

Q: What counts as an extraordinary circumstance at Schiphol?

Genuine extraordinary circumstances at Schiphol may include: exceptional severe winter weather, airspace closure, or external air traffic control strikes. A technical defect in the aircraft, staff shortages, or a knock-on delay are not considered extraordinary circumstances under established European case law — the airline remains liable to compensate you.

Q: I had a connecting flight at Schiphol and missed my connection — can I claim?

Yes, if your entire journey was booked as a single reservation and you arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late due to the missed connection. The compensation is calculated based on the distance of your full journey (origin to final destination), not just the AMS leg.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is one of Europe's busiest airports and the hub of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. If your flight from AMS was delayed by 3 hours or more, or cancelled less than 14 days before departure, EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to compensation of up to €600. In the Netherlands you have 2 years to act (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code).

Situations covered by EU261 from AMS

✓
Delay of 3 hours or more at arrival — the actual arrival time (when the doors open) counts, not the departure delay at Schiphol.
✓
Cancellation notified less than 14 days before departure — without an adequate alternative offered by the airline.
✓
Advancement of more than 1 hour — if the airline moved your departure earlier without you being able to board at the original time.
✓
Involuntary denied boarding — overbooking or a documentation issue attributable to the airline.

Schiphol — KLM hub: Amsterdam Schiphol is the home base of KLM and a major transit hub for long-haul KLM flights. Delays on long-haul flights departing from AMS entitle you to €600.

Main airlines at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

AMS is KLM's hub and hosts dozens of international and European airlines.

Airline	Notes	Claim link
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines	Home base AMS, long-haul flights worldwide	KLM claim →
easyJet	European routes from AMS	easyJet claim →
Transavia	KLM subsidiary, leisure routes	EU carrier — covered
Ryanair	European routes from AMS	Ryanair claim →

EU261 compensation amounts — examples from AMS

Flight distance	Compensation	Example from AMS
≤ 1,500 km	€250	AMS → London (LHR) ~370 km, AMS → Barcelona (BCN) ~1,250 km
1,500–3,500 km or intra-EU	€400	AMS → Athens (ATH) ~2,160 km, AMS → Marrakesh ~2,470 km
> 3,500 km outside EU	€600	AMS → New York (JFK) ~5,860 km, AMS → Tokyo (NRT) ~9,340 km

The airline may reduce the amount by 50% if it offered you a rerouting with a limited delay at destination.

What to do if the airline refuses

AMS is located in the Netherlands. If the airline refuses or does not reply within 4 weeks:

1
ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) — file a complaint at ilent.nl. The authority can compel the airline to pay.
2
De Geschillencommissie — degeschillencommissie.nl — out-of-court dispute resolution, faster and cheaper than litigation.
3
Kantonrechter — as a final step, simplified court procedure, no lawyer required.

Reminder: in the Netherlands, the prescription period is 2 years (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code). Keep your ticket, boarding pass and all correspondence.

Why use Claimy instead of a claim agency?

Services like AirHelp or Flightright charge 25–35% commission on your compensation. On €600 recovered, you only receive ~€420.

	Claim agency	Claimy
On €250	You receive ~€175	You receive €240.10
On €400	You receive ~€280	You receive €385.10
On €600	You receive ~€420	You receive €575.10

Claimy generates your formal claim letter in 30 seconds for a fixed fee from €9.90. You send it yourself and keep 100% of your compensation.

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Frequently asked questions — Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

How long do I have to claim for a flight delayed at AMS?

The Netherlands applies a 2-year prescription period (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code). If your Schiphol flight was nearly 2 years ago, act immediately before your right to claim expires.

Which airlines operate at Amsterdam Schiphol?

KLM is the home carrier at AMS. easyJet, Transavia, Ryanair, Vueling, TUI fly, Wizz Air and many international airlines also operate from AMS. All departures from AMS are covered by EU261.

My KLM flight from AMS was delayed — am I entitled to compensation?

Yes. KLM is an EU airline and AMS is an EU airport. EU261 applies fully. A delay of 3 or more hours at arrival entitles you to €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

What counts as an extraordinary circumstance at Schiphol?

Genuine extraordinary circumstances include exceptional severe weather, airspace closure, or an external air traffic control strike. A technical defect, crew shortage, or knock-on delay are not extraordinary circumstances under established European case law — the airline remains liable.

I had a connecting flight at Schiphol and missed my connection — can I claim?

Yes, if your entire trip was booked as one reservation and you arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late. Compensation is calculated on the full journey distance (origin to final destination), not just the AMS segment.

More information

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