KLM controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
U.S. fines Air France and KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspace
Fine or penalty
The U.S. Transportation Department said it was fining Air France and KLM a total of $425,000 for flights below the required minimum altitude in FAA-prohibited Iraqi airspace. The airlines said air traffic controllers had instructed crews to descend or refused to allow them to ascend, and argued the flights should qualify for the emergency-situations exemption.
Stated objective. The minimum altitude was intended to protect flights from threats from the ground.
Company response
Clarification — Air France
Air France and KLM told USDOT they were fully committed to adhering to regulatory requirements at all times and took the issue extremely seriously.
Clarification — KLM
Both said they believe the flights should have fallen under the "emergency situations" exemption given the safety implications of refusing an air traffic control order.
Source excerpt
Both said they believe the flights should have fallen under the "emergency situations" exemption given the safety implications of refusing an air traffic control order.
The U.S. Transportation Department said Friday it was fining Air France and KLM a total of $425,000 for operating dozens of flights in Iraqi airspace below a minimum altitude intended to protect them from threats from the ground.
Both carriers were ordered to cease and desist from future violations.
2025
Family sues Delta and KLM over alleged bed bug infestation on flight
Lawsuit filed
A Virginia family filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia against Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The family claims they were bitten by bed bugs during a KLM-operated flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam, which they purchased through Delta's SkyMiles program. They are seeking $200,000 in damages.
Company response
Clarification — Delta Air Lines
As this pending litigation eventually states, the allegations at issue relate to flights not operated by Delta Air Lines
Source excerpt
As this pending litigation eventually states, the allegations at issue relate to flights not operated by Delta Air Lines
The Albuquerques are asking the court to award them $200,000 and any other relief deemed just and proper for their injuries, medical expenses, and other damages.
In the complaint, which was filed on Dec. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
2020
KLM apologizes over crew-only lavatory notice on flight to Incheon
Company response
KLM publicly apologized after its crew reserved lavatories for crew use and posted a notice only in Korean on a flight to Incheon. The incident prompted accusations that Korean passengers had been discriminated against; KLM said the decision was made by the crew and that the issue was under internal investigation.
Company response
Apology — KLM
Dutch carrier KLM made a public statement on Friday, apologizing for actions taken by its crew that raised accusations of racial discrimination associated with the new coronavirus against Korean passengers who were on board the KL855 flight to Incheon from Amsterdam earlier this week.
Investigation — KLM
Glass said the issue was immediately reported to headquarters executives and is under investigation internally.
Source excerpt
Glass said the issue was immediately reported to headquarters executives and is under investigation internally.
Dutch carrier KLM made a public statement on Friday, apologizing for actions taken by its crew that raised accusations of racial discrimination associated with the new coronavirus against Korean passengers who were on board the KL855 flight to Incheon from Amsterdam earlier this week.