Travelling (with) children
We enjoy keeping our young passengers and their parents happy. If you have a child who is 14 years old or younger and travelling alone, then you are required to make use of the Unaccompanied Minor service.
On this page:
Travelling with your child
Children younger than 14 must always be accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who will bear responsibility for the child throughout the entire trip. In addition, both this escort and the child must travel together on the same flight and in the same travel class.
Unaccompanied minors
Children younger than 4 years old: may only travel when accompanied as described above.
Children aged 5 to 14 years old: may travel alone under our Unaccompanied Minor service. This service is mandatory for children in this age group who are travelling alone, and by using it you can feel comfortable letting your child travel alone. We should point out that your child may be denied boarding if the Unaccompanied Minor service has not been reserved. Tickets for the child and the Unaccompanied Minor service can only be booked using KLM’s Telephone Reservations.
Children aged 15 to 17 years old: may travel independently on flights operated by AIR FRANCE and KLM but are still entitled to make use of the Unaccompanied Minor service if desired. Stricter rules may apply on KLM flights operated by Northwest Airlines and other airlines. Be sure to check with your travel agent or contact the airline operating the flight about these rules.
Junior Jet Service
Young children – and their parents – can always count on extra attention and special extras. Available on all intercontinental flights operated by KLM are play packages and various items for babies. Special children’s meals can be ordered in advance for free by telephone.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
Travelling with children younger than 2
A child younger than two years of age can travel sitting on your lap. Although an adult may accompany more than one baby, only one baby can sit on his/her lap. Any other baby will require a seat of its own. Any child who has reached the age of two by the return travel date must have a reserved seat.
Carrycots can be reserved for babies on intercontinental flights. These are suitable for babies who are no longer than 65 cm and weigh no more than 10 kg on the day of the trip.
Baggage, buggies and child seats
For a child younger than two years of age who will be travelling on your lap, you are entitled to:
- bring one piece of hand baggage weighing no more than 10 kg and measuring no larger than 55 x 35 x 25 cm
- bring a small, completely collapsible baby stroller/pram. If the baby stroller will not fit under the seat or in the overhead baggage compartment, it can be checked into the hold at no extra charge
- check one piece of baggage weighing no more than 10 kg into the hold
If a seat has been reserved for your child, you may bring your own car/child seat aboard on the condition that it fits between the armrests of the aircraft seat (43 cm/17 inches). Only child seats that display no defects and that carry a visible seal of approval awarded by the European Union or an official government agency may be taken aboard.
Officially approved brands:
- UN Standard ECE R44-03 and 44-04
- US FMVSS no. 213
- Canadian CMVSS 213/123.1
- German TÜV/958-01/2001
- Types marked approved by Transport Canada
- Types marked approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Types marked approved by Joint Civil Aviation Authority (JAA)
A seat for a second baby, or the use of a car/child seat must be reserved in advance. Please contact KLM Telephone Reservations or your local KLM ticket office for this service.
Please contact KLM Telephone Reservations