Claim Compensation from Korean Air

Getting your documents in order before you contact them is critical. Don't give them an easy excuse to dismiss your claim.

• Gather Your Evidence: This is non-negotiable. You need your booking reference (PNR), e-ticket numbers, flight numbers, and dates. For expense claims, have clear photos or scans of every single receipt (food, hotel, transport).
• Create a Timeline: Write down a simple, chronological account of what happened. For example: "Flight KE018 scheduled for 1:00 PM on May 15. Delay announced at 12:30 PM. New departure time 7:00 PM. Total delay: 6 hours."
• Know What You're Asking For: Be specific. Are you asking for a refund for a cancelled flight? Reimbursement for a hotel room that cost you $250? Or compensation for being involuntarily bumped? State the exact amount.
• Keep Records of Everything: Log every call you make. Note the date, time, and the name of the agent you spoke with. Save all email correspondence in a dedicated folder. This becomes your proof if you need to escalate.
• Reference Their Own Rules: Briefly check Korean Air's 'Conditions of Carriage' on their website. Citing their own policy back to them can be surprisingly effective.

Yes, you have rights, but they depend heavily on your flight route. This guide is focused on US regulations, but international rules often come into play.

• For Flights Within/To/From the U.S.: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sets the rules. You are entitled to compensation for involuntary bumping (denied boarding) and significant tarmac delays. For lost or damaged baggage, their liability is capped (currently around $3,800 for domestic flights). Unfortunately, for general delays and cancellations, US airlines are not required to compensate you beyond refunding the ticket cost if you choose not to travel. However, you can and should claim reimbursement for costs incurred due to their failure.
• For Flights Touching Europe (EU/UK): If your flight departs from the EU/UK, or arrives in the EU/UK on an EU/UK carrier, you may be covered by much stronger EC261/UK261 regulations. These mandate specific cash compensation amounts for delays over 3 hours, cancellations, and denied boarding, depending on flight distance. This can apply to Korean Air flights departing from places like Paris or London.
• Korean Air's 'Conditions of Carriage': This is your contract with the airline. It outlines their responsibilities for delays and cancellations. While often filled with legal language, it's the baseline for what they promise to provide.

Typical Compensation: This can range from meal vouchers and hotel accommodation during a delay, to a full ticket refund, reimbursement for expenses, or fixed cash payments under EC261.

Subject: Compensation Claim - Flight KE012 LAX to ICN - [Date] - Booking Reference: [Your PNR]

Dear Korean Air Customer Relations,

I am writing to request compensation for the significant disruption to my travel on [Date] under booking reference [Your PNR].

My scheduled flight, KE012 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Seoul (ICN), was delayed by [Number] hours. The scheduled departure was [Scheduled Time], but the flight did not depart until [Actual Departure Time].

This delay caused me to [Explain the consequence, e.g., miss my connecting flight to Bangkok, incur unexpected hotel and meal expenses, arrive too late for a prepaid event].

As a direct result of this disruption, I incurred the following expenses:

• Hotel: $[Amount]
• Meals: $[Amount]
• Transportation: $[Amount]

Total Expenses: $[Total Amount]

I have attached copies of all relevant receipts, my boarding pass, and my e-ticket for your review. According to standard airline practice and passenger rights, I expect to be reimbursed for these necessary expenses caused by the service failure.

I look forward to your prompt response and a resolution to this matter within 14 business days. My preferred method of reimbursement is [e.g., a check to my address, a transfer to my bank account].

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Frequent Flyer Number, if applicable] [Your Phone Number]

If Korean Air denies your claim or gives you an unsatisfactory offer, don't just accept it. You have several options to escalate the issue.

• File a DOT Complaint: This is your most powerful tool in the US. Filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation is free and forces the airline to provide a formal, written response to both you and the government. Airlines take these complaints seriously.
• Initiate a Credit Card Chargeback: If you paid for a service you didn't receive (like a seat upgrade on a cancelled flight or the flight itself), you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. Provide them with all your evidence and correspondence with the airline.
• Go to Small Claims Court: For larger claims where the airline is clearly at fault and refusing to pay, small claims court is a viable option. The process is designed for individuals without needing a lawyer, but make sure your claim is well-documented.
• Make Noise on Social Media: A polite but firm public post on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook, detailing your issue and tagging Korean Air, can sometimes get a faster response from their social media team. It's not a guarantee, but it adds public pressure.

Tired of navigating Korean Air's 'Voice of Customer' forms only to get a generic, unhelpful reply weeks later? Sound familiar? The endless follow-up emails and the frustration of being ignored can feel like a full-time job. That's where Pine AI steps in. We handle the entire tedious compensation process for you. No more chasing down agents or trying to figure out which international treaty applies to your flight from Frankfurt. We take your case details and manage the entire back-and-forth, leveraging our expertise to fight for the money you're owed. With a 93% negotiation success rate, we know how to cut through the corporate red tape. Think of us as your personal advocate for getting your money back. It's that simple. Let us deal with the headache so you don't have to.

The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Pine AI is not a law firm.