Rights at KLM: Discover your options

Questioner

Hello, I was able to buy 2 fairly cheap tickets (total €520) to New York at KLM. For my partner and myself. I chose the 'Light' version, which means with only hand luggage and cancellation is not possible. The only thing I didn't know is that these tickets are actually for single travelers, this is not stated anywhere on the KLM website. This means that I cannot sit with my partner, and that is what we want. If this had been stated on the website, I would not have bought these tickets. I contacted KLM, but the only option they could give me there is a via via route for an additional payment of €380. My question is: can KLM just do this or do we perhaps have some rights? Thank you in advance.

Lawyer

This is important information that the airline cannot withhold from you so that you can make a good and considered choice before the purchase is a fact. Were you also able to buy multiple tickets at the same time during the process or did the process have to be repeated? You could appeal to justified trust invoked by the company that is important when considering taking a long flight. And demand compliance as you thought it was possible, so no restriction on seat selection.

Questioner

Thanks for your response. I bought the tickets in one go, there and back. Only later did I find out that these are tickets for 'solo' travelers. This via the Delta Airlines website, they operate the flights. The only option they can offer me is to fly via another airport, of course for an additional fee. What can I do now?

Lawyer

This information should not have been missing. You can hold the provider to the offer, the content of the purchase agreement as you would expect. The question is of course whether they are inclined to comply with this in the short term. If you have to leave quickly, you could also fight the case later. (and payment subject to rights)

Questioner

Thanks again for the quick response. It looks like they won't cooperate anyway. But I still have plenty of time for this.