Flight Check

KLM Complaints & DOT Data (2024)

3,848 complaints filed with the DOT in 2024.

Complaint Rate

4.1/100K

Total Complaints

3,848

Rank

#23 of 27

Top Issue

Customer Service

KLM maintains one of the better complaint rates among large European carriers at 4.1 per 100,000. Customer service is the relative weak spot — the airline's Amsterdam Schiphol hub runs near capacity, and when disruptions occur, rebooking and communication fall short of the airline's otherwise strong reputation.

vs. Industry Average

KLM4.1/100K
Industry Average8.2/100K

KLM is 50% below the industry average.

Monthly Complaint Rate (2024)

3.8
Jan
3.8
Feb
3.8
Mar
3.8
Apr
3.8
May
4.6
Jun
4.6
Jul
4.6
Aug
3.8
Sep
3.8
Oct
3.8
Nov
4.6
Dec

Complaints per 100K passengers by month. Red bars exceed industry average (8.2).

What People Complain About

Customer Service83%
Baggage17%

How to File a Complaint Against KLM

  1. Document everything — save confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Contact KLM directly first. Give them a chance to resolve it.
  3. If unsatisfied, file with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov.
  4. Use the Disruption Desk to understand what you are owed.
Disruption DeskCompensation Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints did KLM get in 2024?

KLM received 3,848 DOT complaints in 2024, at a rate of 4.1 per 100,000 passengers. This ranks them #23 out of 27 airlines tracked.

What do people complain about most with KLM?

The most common complaint category for KLM is customer service. Rude or unhelpful staff, excessive phone hold times, unresponsive complaint departments, and failure to accommodate passenger needs. These complaints often compound other issues — a delay becomes a nightmare when customer service fails.

How do I file a complaint against KLM?

You can file a complaint against KLM with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov, or use Flight Check's Disruption Desk to understand your rights and generate a complaint letter. Check what you're owed with the Compensation Calculator. Every DOT complaint is forwarded to KLM's executive consumer affairs team.

Is KLM complaint rate above or below average?

KLM's complaint rate of 4.1 per 100K is 50% below the industry average of 8.2 per 100K. They rank #23 out of 27 airlines. See the full airline complaint rankings.

Compare Other Airlines

Frontier AirlinesRyanairWizz AirVuelingSpirit AirlineseasyJetTAP PortugalJetBlue AirwaysEurowingsITA AirwaysAllegiant AirAmerican AirlinesIberiaUnited AirlinesBritish AirwaysAir FranceSun Country AirlinesLufthansaAer LingusBreeze AirwaysSASDelta Air LinesHawaiian AirlinesFinnairAlaska AirlinesSouthwest Airlines

Source: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, January–December 2024.