Travelling with pets
In order to ensure that the trip goes as smoothly and safely as possible, KLM and Air France offer a range of options for taking your pets with you.
On this page:
In the cabin
Only small cats and dogs up to 6 kg (13 lbs) can be taken into the cabin. Your pet should be transported in a hard shell kennel no higher than 20 cm or in an animal travel bag to a maximum of 115 cm (45 inches) (l + w + h). You can put this under the seat in front of you. If you wish to take your pet with you in the cabin, you should make your reservation by telephone at least 48 hours in advance.
Contact Telephone Reservations
In the hold
Cats and dogs may travel in a special ventilated part of the aircraft’s cargo hold. Your animal must be transported in a kennel which complies with the legal requirements of the IATA (International Air Transport Association). Kennels which comply with these standards include those of the 'Sky' and 'Vari' brands. You can purchase such a kennel at larger pet shops or specialist shipping agents. The pet and kennel combined may not weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs). If you wish to transport your pet in the hold, you must make your reservation by telephone at least 48 hours in advance.
We are unfortunately unable to transport animals in the hold on KLM Cityhopper flights which are longer than 2 hours. Between November 1 and March 31 each year, pets cannot be carried in the hold of KLM Cityhopper flights because the baggage hold of our Fokker aircraft cannot be heated.
Contact Telephone Reservations
As freight
Your pet should be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo if:
- Your pet and kennel weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs).
- The kennel is larger than 292 cm (115 inches) (l + w + h). On some types of aircraft, the kennel must not be larger than 247 cm (97 inches) (l + w + h). Contact your travel agent or Telephone Reservations for advice.
- The pet is travelling to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom.
Contact Air France-KLM Cargo
Contact Telephone Reservations
Travel documents and health certificates
A number of documents are required when transporting your pet. These should be in English.
- Your pet needs a valid health certificate signed by a qualified vet. The certificate should be issued between two and eight days prior to departure.
- Extra rules often apply to pups up to 12 weeks. As these may vary from country to country, we advise you contact the embassy of the country you are travelling to.
- The animal must be accompanied by a valid certificate stating that it has been inoculated for rabies at least 21 days before departure.
- Are you travelling to a destination outside the European Union? If so, we recommend you check with the local embassy in plenty of time regarding the rules and health certificates required when importing pets.
- Pets travelling to or from the European Union must have a microchip or tattoo and an official EU pet passport. This passport should be issued by a qualified vet. It should contain the following details:
1. Name and address of the owner
2. A description of the pet, such as colour of coat
3. Type of identification: microchip or tattoo
4. The date and brand of the rabies vaccine
5. Serological test for rabies
6. Proof of tick treatment
7. Proof of treatment for echinococcus
8. Other vaccinations
Special rules apply to service animals which have been trained to assist passengers with disabilities, or rescue teams. You can request more information from KLM Cares.
Read more about KLM Cares
Costs
The costs for transporting your pet + kennel in the cabin or hold according to the piece concept will be EUR 200 per one-way trip, regardless of destination.
The piece concept applies when ‘PC’ appears next to ‘baggage’ on your e-ticket. The costs for transporting your pet + kennel according to the weight concept (‘KG’), however, depend on the destination:
Fees for transporting your pet + kennel according to the weight concept
Region | Countries | Fee in EUR, one way |
Within France | France | 40 |
Within Europe; between Europe and Israel, North Africa and the Caribbean | Europe*, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Saint Martin, Surinam, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia | 80 |
Other | Other | 160** |
* Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
** For flights from Canada, a rate of 200 Canadian dollars will apply. For flights from Cuba, Mexico and the United States, a rate of 200 US dollars will apply. For flights from other countries, if applicable the amounts in euro will be converted into local currency at the current exchange rate.
If your pet is travelling in the cargo hold and the transfer at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport lasts longer than 2 hours, you will have to pay an additional EUR 150 to cover the animal’s care during the transfer.
Read more about your check-in baggage
Checklist
When you check in, one of our employees completes a checklist to determine whether your pet is allowed on the flight. Read this checklist carefully so that you can be sure of whether your pet is allowed to travel with you.
View the pets checklist