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Important
To take sports equipment or other special baggage, you need to make a reservation by telephone at least 48 hours before departure. Please note that we can bring a limited amount of special baggage, so ensure that your reservation is confirmed.
Many types of sports equipment and other special baggage are considered as regular pieces of baggage. This means they can be taken within your baggage allowance. There are some limitations and exceptions: your sports equipment may not contain other baggage and some items can only be taken at a fee.
To view your baggage allowance, log on to Manage my Booking or check your ticket.
If part of your journey is operated by an airline other than KLM or AIR FRANCE, different rules for special baggage may apply. Please check with the relevant airline(s).
Wind, wave or kite surfing equipment and body boards
- Windsurfing equipment may consist of a board, mast, sail and boom and must be packed in 1 package, preferably in a ‘quiver bag’.
- Kite surfing equipment may consist of a board and a kite bag and must be packed in 1 package, preferably in a kite bag.
If your wind, wave or kite surfing equipment or body board is no longer than 200 cm/78 inch (regardless of width) and no heavier than 23 kg (50.5 lbs), it will be regarded as a single piece of normal baggage.
You pay a fee if you wish to take your surfing equipment on top of your standard baggage allowance. You also pay a fee for surfing equipment that is longer than 200 cm (78 inch) or heavier than 23 kg (50.5 lbs).
Surfing equipment longer than 300 cm (118 inch) in length and/or weighing more than 32 kg (70.5 lbs) can only be transported as freight by AIR FRANCE-KLM Cargo.
Bicycles and tandems
You can take your bicycle or tandem (non-electric) with you in suitable packaging or a bike box. The handlebars should be turned lengthways along the frame, pedals and other protruding parts should be removed, and tyre pressures should be reduced. Special KLM bike boxes are available at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for EUR 20 each (170 x 23 x 100 cm – 66.5 x 9 x 39 inches). The KLM bike box weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs).
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed. On small aircraft types it may not be possible to bring a tandem.
A bike counts as a single piece of baggage. You only pay an excess baggage fee if you take your bicycle on top of your standard baggage allowance, and/or if it weighs more than 23 kg (50.5 lbs).
For a tandem you will need to pay a special baggage fee.
Diving equipment
A set of diving equipment may consist of a wetsuit, vest, socks, mask, shoes, flippers, knife and regulator. Diving lamps must be transported as hand baggage, with the bulb and batteries removed. Air cylinders (scuba tanks) must be empty and the valve should be open or removed.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
A set of diving equipment (excluding a scuba tank) counts as a single piece of baggage. If you bring a set of diving equipment on top of your standard baggage allowance, or if it weighs more than 23 kg (50.5 lbs), you pay an excess baggage fee.
For a scuba tank you always pay an excess baggage fee.
Golf bags
On top of the standard baggage allowance, you may carry 1 golf bag for free if all flights in your journey are operated by KLM or AIR FRANCE (including Martinair). Since this does not apply to flights operated by our airline partners, we advise you to consult rules pertaining to golf bags used by the airline operating your flight.
A golf bag counts as a single piece of luggage and may weigh up to 23 kg (50.5 lbs). You only pay an excess baggage fee if it weighs more, or if you bring an extra golf bag.
A set of golf equipment may consist of a golf bag containing only clubs, balls and a pair of golf shoes. Golf bags containing clothing or other items are considered as regular baggage. This you can bring free of charge only if your total baggage does not exceed your standard baggage allowance.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Kayaks and canoes
Kayaks and canoes can only be transported as freight by AIR FRANCE - KLM Cargo.
Skis and snowboards
A set of (water-) ski or snowboard equipment may consist of a board or pair of skis, two ski poles and a pair of ski boots.
Such a set counts as a single piece of baggage, which may weigh up to 23 kg (50.5 lbs). If your equipment weighs more, or if you bring it on top of your baggage allowance, excess baggage fees apply.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Firearms and ammunition for shooting and hunting sports
Carrying ammunition and firearms in hand baggage is not permitted. You may carry such items for shooting and hunting purposes as check-in baggage under certain strict conditions.
Each weapon counts as a single item of baggage. If you wish to take more baggage than the maximum allowance, the excess baggage fees apply.
You must always have the following permits in your possession:
- The licenses for the weapons in question.
- Import and export permits for the countries concerned.
- The permission of the Dutch Customs service to travel to, from or via the Netherlands.
Furthermore, the following rules apply:
- You must make a reservation for travel with firearms and/or ammunition. This can be done through your travel agent or by contacting us.
- Firearms must be unloaded and safely packed in a suitcase or other case. The cartridges must be packed safely, preferably in a suitcase.
- Sports and hunting rifles must be transported separately from the ammunition.
- Ammunition may only be intended for shooting sport and a maximum of 5 kg (11 lbs) of ammunition may be carried per passenger.
- Baggage containing ammunition may not carry labels with the text ‘explosives’.
- Transporting ammunition with explosive or flammable projectiles is not permitted.
- When you check in you should declare that your weapon is unloaded and the ammunition has been packed separately.
Other sports equipment
Other sports equipment are also generally considered regular pieces of check-in baggage if they are under the maximum permitted dimensions and weight. This means that you can bring these as part of your standard baggage allowance.
In the case of excess weight or size, excess baggage fees apply. When transporting sports equipment of unusual size or weight you should make a reservation by telephone.
Fishing equipment
A set of fishing equipment may consist of:
- 1 or 2 rods
- 1 reel
- 1 landing net
- 1 pair of fishing boots
- 1 fishing tackle box
These must be packed together. The complete set may weigh up to 23 kg (50.5 lbs) and may measure up to 158 cm (62 inches) l + w + h.
Such a set of fishing equipment is considered 1 piece of check-in baggage. You may bring a set of fishing equipment as part of your standard baggage allowance. If you want to bring it on top of your standard baggage allowance, you need to pay the excess baggage fee for a standard piece of baggage.
Musical instruments
You can bring your musical instrument in one of four ways:
- 1As check-in baggage
Your musical instrument must be packed in a hard case. We are not liable for damage if your instrument is not properly packed. The standard excess baggage fees apply if your total baggage including instrument and packaging exceed the maximum free allowance.
A musical instrument with a length of up to 100 cm (39 inches) can be transported as a single item of baggage, within your standard baggage allowance. If your instrument with packaging is larger than 203 cm (80 inches) (l + w + h), or is heavier than 32 kg (70 lbs), then you should request permission. - 2As hand baggage
You may take a musical instrument, such as a guitar or smaller instrument, with you as hand luggage, but not in addition to your standard hand baggage allowance. The total dimensions may not exceed 115 cm/45 in (l + w + h). - 3On an extra seat
Larger instruments which do not fit in the overhead baggage compartment or under the seat can be taken into the cabin to be transported on a seat booked in advance. This is only possible if your instrument is not longer than 140 cm (55 inches) and does not weigh more than 46 kg (100 lbs). Please always contact KLM Telephone Reservations at least 48 hours before departure to book a seat for your instrument. - 4As freight
If your musical instrument weighs in excess of 46 kilograms (100 lbs) or is larger than 406 cm (160 inches) (l + w + h) you may only transport your instrument as freight using AIR FRANCE-KLM Cargo.
Read more about excess baggage
Read more about hand baggage
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