SkyTeam Delay Rights: How Codeshare Affects Your EU261 Claim

SkyTeam delay EU261 codeshare rules track operating carrier identity, not alliance brand or marketing carrier. SkyTeam comprises 19 carriers including Delta Air Lines (US), KLM (Netherlands), Air France (France), Aeroflot (Russia), Aeromexico (Mexico), Air Europa (Spain), Alitalia successor ITA Airways (Italy), China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Korean Air, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines, Garuda, MEA, Tarom, Czech Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, and XiamenAir. The EU261 eligibility test is straightforward: EU-licensed operating carrier, or EU departure regardless of operating carrier.

SkyTeam codeshares between Delta and KLM/Air France are the most common EU261 confusion. A Delta-numbered ticket operated by KLM is a KLM flight for EU261 purposes.

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  KLM (Netherlands): EU-licensed. EU261 applies on all flights. EUR 250-600 per passenger.

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  Air France (France): EU-licensed. EU261 applies. EUR 250-600 per passenger.

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  ITA Airways (Italy): EU-licensed. EU261 applies. EUR 250-600 per passenger.

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  Air Europa (Spain): EU-licensed. EU261 applies. EUR 250-600 per passenger.

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  Tarom (Romania): EU-licensed. EU261 applies.

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  Czech Airlines (Czechia): EU-licensed. EU261 applies.

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  Delta Air Lines (US): NOT EU-licensed. EU261 does NOT apply on Delta-operated flights, except on departures from EU airports (where EU261 applies regardless of operating carrier).

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  Aeromexico (Mexico): NOT EU-licensed. EU261 only applies on EU departures.

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  Korean Air, China Airlines, MEA, Garuda: NOT EU-licensed. EU261 only on EU departures.

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  Aeroflot (Russia): complicated; check current EU sanctions status before filing.

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  DL-numbered, KL-operated transatlantic: EU261 applies on KLM metal. EUR 600 per passenger on 3+ hour delays at AMS arrival.

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  KL-numbered, DL-operated transatlantic: Delta operating, EU261 does NOT apply on Delta metal. US DOT applies on the Delta metal.

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  AF-numbered, DL-operated transatlantic: Delta operating, EU261 does NOT apply. US DOT only.

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  DL-numbered, AF-operated transatlantic: EU261 applies on Air France metal. EUR 600 per passenger.

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  Within EU on KL or AF: EU261 always applies.

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  Aeromexico-numbered, DL-operated transcon: US DOT applies on Delta metal. Mexican rules do not transfer to Delta metal.

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   Boarding pass: 'OPERATED BY' line below the flight number.

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   Carrier confirmation email: pre-flight notifications come from the operating carrier.

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   Aircraft livery and crew language at the gate.

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   FlightAware or Flighty: cross-reference flight number to operating carrier code.

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   Eurocontrol or BTS data: the actual airline IATA designator.

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   Confirm operating carrier from boarding pass.

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   If operating carrier is EU-licensed: file with that carrier's EU261 portal (KLM at klm.com/customer-service, Air France at airfrance.com/customer-service, ITA at itairways.com).

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   If operating carrier is non-EU but departing from an EU airport: same operating carrier portal applies (EU261 covers all EU departures regardless of carrier).

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   If both conditions fail (non-EU carrier on non-EU route): EU261 does not apply; file under home country regulation.

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   Provide boarding pass, FIDS photo, both flight numbers (marketing and operating).

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   Carrier responds within 8 weeks. Escalate to NEB (LBA, AESA, DGAC, etc.) if denied.

The most common SkyTeam confusion: passenger books a KLM-numbered ticket from Atlanta to Amsterdam, sees the KLM brand, and assumes EU261 applies. But the metal is operated by Delta. EU261 does NOT apply on the ATL departure (US airport, US carrier). The KLM marketing does not change the regulation.

Buying a KLM-numbered ticket does not buy EU261 coverage if Delta operates the metal. The EU261 ATL-AMS route is only triggered when KLM operates the metal.

EU261 covers ALL flights departing EU airports, regardless of operating carrier. So a Delta-operated AMS-ATL flight delayed at AMS departure triggers EU261 against Delta. Delta is then subject to EU261 just like any EU-licensed carrier on that specific leg.

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  Delta-operated AMS-ATL departure delay: EU261 applies. EUR 600 per passenger on 3+ hour delay at ATL arrival.

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  Delta-operated CDG-NYC departure delay: same. EU261 applies.

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  Aeromexico-operated MAD-MEX departure delay: EU261 applies (EU departure).

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  Korean Air-operated CDG-ICN departure delay: EU261 applies (EU departure).

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  Note: filing against non-EU carriers can be slower than against EU carriers, because non-EU carriers may not have the same EU complaint infrastructure.

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  TravelStacks: $19 flat for Delta US DOT, 25% for KL/AF/AZ/UX EU261 on EU-licensed metal.

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  AirHelp: 35% EU261 across the alliance.

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  Compensair: 25% EU261. Some non-EU operating carriers handled depending on route.

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  DIY: free, but operating carrier identification and NEB escalation are work.

For the broader codeshare framework, see codeshare flight rights: which airline is responsible and star alliance flight delay: who owes you money.

SkyTeam EU261 claims hinge on operating carrier. KLM, Air France, ITA, Air Europa metal triggers EU261. Delta, Aeromexico, Korean metal does not (except on EU departures). Use the delayed flight worth calculator to estimate, see codeshare flight rights: which airline is responsible for the framework, and the EU261 passenger rights pillar for the full regulation. Start a claim.