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Pets in the cabin
A small cat or dog can be taken into the Economy Class cabin of most KLM flights, and in Business Class on most KLM flights within Europe:
- In a suitable kennel or pet travel bag no higher than 20 cm (7.9 in). Your pet must be able to stand up and lay down comfortably.
- Total weight of pet + travel bag or kennel may be max. 6 kg (13 lbs).
- The kennel must be put under the seat in front of you.
Always make a reservation by telephone or through Manage my Booking at least 48 hours in advance. Please note that we have room for a limited number of kennels in the cabin.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
Pets as check-in baggage
Your cat or dog may travel as check-in baggage in a ventilated part of the aircraft:
- In a kennel that complies with IATA rules – for example those of the 'Sky' and 'Vari' brands. You can purchase such a kennel at larger pet shops or specialist shipping agents. Read more on www.iata.org.
- Total weight of your pet and kennel combined may be max. 75 kg (165 lbs).
- On all KLM flights and on KLM Cityhopper flights of less 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 and Embraer aircraft cannot be heated.
Always make a reservation by telephone or through Manage my Booking at least 48 hours in advance. Please note that each passenger may bring up to 3 pets but that we have room for a limited number of kennels in the hold.
Snub-nosed animals such as boxers, pugs, bulldogs, Pekinese and Persian cats can have trouble breathing during the flight due to high temperatures and stress. To ensure their well-being, snub-nosed animals may therefore only be transported as cargo.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
Pets 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 call us for advice.
- Your pet is not travelling on the same flight as you are.
- Your pet is travelling to a country whose authorities allow the transportation of pets as freight only.
To transport your pet as cargo you should contact a specialised cargo agent. You can find a list of cargo agents in the Netherlands at the AIR FRANCE-KLM Cargo website.
Go to AIR FRANCE-KLM Cargo (in English only)
Or you can read more at the website of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association
Travel documents and health certificates
To find out which documents are required and which rules apply to transporting your pet, we recommend consulting the embassies of the country of departure and the country of destination.
Find more information on the following websites for travel:
- To, from or within the European Union: read the European Commission regulations
- To the United Kingdom (only possible via AIR FRANCE-KLM Cargo): visit the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Between other countries: visit www.iata.org
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.
At the airport, we will use a checklist for your pet, travel documents and kennel.
Read the airport checklist for pets
Read more about KLM Cares
Before departure
Prepare your pet for travel:
- Allow five days before the flight for your pet to get used to its kennel.
- Do not let your pet to drink for 4 hours before departure.
- Do not feed your pet for 12 hours before departure.
- Do not to tranquillize your pet. Its temperature may drop during the flight, and it will need longer to get accustomed to its new surroundings.
The check-in process for pets may take some time. We recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before your scheduled departure time.
Costs
The costs depend on the destination. Also, if your pet is travelling as check-in baggage and the transfer at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport lasts longer than 2 hours, you will have to pay an additional EUR 150 (or USD/CAD 200) to cover the animal’s care during the transfer.
Always make a reservation by telephone or through Manage my Booking at least 48 hours in advance.
View the fee for transporting your pet
