Korean Air Delayed from Europe? Claim EU261 Compensation Up to €600
Korean Air (IATA: KE) operates flights from London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Zurich, and Vienna to Seoul Incheon (ICN). Although South Korean, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all airlines departing from EU or UK airports. Every Korean Air route from Europe exceeds 8,700 km — all qualify for the maximum €600 per person with a 4+ hour delay at final destination.
Korean Air merger with Asiana Airlines
Korean Air completed the acquisition of Asiana Airlines in 2024. If you flew on Asiana (OZ) from a EU/UK airport, the same EU261 rules apply — always claim against the operating carrier shown on your boarding pass. Asiana flights remain separate claims from Korean Air.
Claim window by EU departure country
| EU/UK Departure | Claim Window | Korean Air routes (all = €600) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (LHR) | 6 years | London Heathrow–Seoul Incheon ICN: ~8,900 km |
| Netherlands (AMS) | 5 years | Amsterdam–Seoul Incheon ICN: ~8,700 km |
| France (CDG) | 5 years | Paris CDG–Seoul Incheon ICN: ~9,100 km |
| Germany (FRA) | 3 years | Frankfurt–Seoul Incheon ICN: ~8,700 km |
| Italy (FCO) | 2 years | Rome–Seoul Incheon ICN: ~9,000 km |
| Spain (MAD, BCN) | 1 year | ⚠️ Madrid/Barcelona: act immediately |
| Austria (VIE) | 3 years | Vienna–Seoul Incheon ICN: ~8,700 km |
Am I eligible?
How to claim Korean Air EU261 compensation
- 1
File directly with Korean Air
Submit your EU261 claim via Korean Air's customer relations. Reference EU Regulation 261/2004. Include PNR, KE flight number, EU/UK departure airport, and actual arrival time at Seoul.
Korean Air contact → - 2
Escalate to national authority of your EU/UK departure
UK CAA for London. ILT for Amsterdam. DGAC for Paris. LBA for Frankfurt. All can enforce EU261 against Korean Air. Free process, 3–6 months.
Find your national enforcement body → - 3
Use a no-win no-fee service
AirHelp handles Korean Air EU261 claims and takes ~25% only if successful. UK and Dutch passengers have the longest windows to look back.
Check via AirHelp →
Korean Air denial tactics to watch for
- →"EU261 doesn't apply to Korean Air" — false; EU law applies to all airlines departing from EU/UK airports
- →Offering SKYPASS miles instead of cash — you are entitled to cash under EU261
- →"Technical issue as extraordinary circumstances" — aircraft defects are not extraordinary under EU261
- →Spain/Italy passengers: 1-year and 2-year deadlines apply — act immediately for MAD/BCN/FCO departures
- →Asiana flights after merger: claim against Asiana (OZ) if that was the operating carrier on your boarding pass
Find past Korean Air delays in your inbox
SubRadar scans your Gmail or Outlook for Korean Air booking emails and flags disrupted EU/UK-departure flights — up to 6 years for UK flights.
Scan my inbox free →EU261 guides for other airlines: