Korean Air delay and cancellation compensation
0.47%
Cancels
Of its scheduled flights
76.25%
Arrives on time
Within 15 minutes
423
Flights measured
January 2025 – August 2026
The cancellation rate is the number that matters on this page: cancellation is what triggers a refund right. Delay, in the United States, does not.
Which rules apply to a Korean Air flight depends on where you take off
Korean Air is not based in a country with its own compensation scheme, so what you are owed follows the departure airport rather than the airline. Leaving an EU airport puts you under EC 261 whoever you fly; leaving a UK airport puts you under UK261; leaving a US airport gives you refund rights but no compensation.
The one rule that applies everywhere
If Korean Air cancels your flight and you decline the alternative, you are owed your money back for the unused portion — whatever the reason, weather included. A voucher is something you may accept, never something you can be required to take.
Where Korean Air flies from, and what applies there
| Departing from | Flights | Scheme that applies |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 212 | UK261 — cash compensation possible |
| South Korea | 211 | No compensation scheme |
About Korean Air's record
Is Korean Air reliable?
Korean Air arrived on time 76.25% of the time across 423 flights. That is around the middle of the field.
How often does Korean Air cancel flights?
0.47% of its scheduled flights were cancelled. Cancellation matters more than delay for a traveller: it is the outcome that costs a day, and the one that triggers a refund entitlement.
This page explains published rules and is not legal advice. AirlineGrades is independent and not affiliated with Korean Air. Confirm current thresholds with the relevant regulator before relying on them. The full guide →