Special baggage
On this page:
Wind, wave or kitesurfing equipment and bodyboards
- Windsurfing equipment may consist of a board, mast, sail and boom
- Kitesurfing equipment may consist of a board and a kite bag
- A wave surfboard with a maximum length of 107 cm (42 inches) comes under the bodyboard category
- The dimensions of surfboards transported aboard a Fokker 50 may not exceed 150 x 50 x 40 cm (59 x 19.5 x 16 inches)
Surfing equipment heavier than 32 kg (70 lbs) or longer than 290 cm (114 inches) can only be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo
Regulations for surfing equipment according to the weight concept
Within the total baggage allowance, you may take along one set of surfing equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). We charge a special fixed fee for every additional kilogram of total baggage including surfing equipment over the standard allowance. The same goes for any additional surfing equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). If the additional surfing equipment weighs more than 20 kg the fee doubles.
Regulations for surfing equipment according to the piece concept
We consider a set of surfing equipment as a single piece of baggage. This may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). You pay the excess baggage fee if your total amount of baggage is more than the maximum allowance.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
View the excess baggage fees for sports equipment
Read more about excess baggage
Contact Air France- KLM Cargo
Bicycles
You can take your bicycle 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 (177 x 23 x 102 cm – 69.5 x 9 x 40 inches). The KLM bike box weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs).
Regulations for bicycles according to the weight concept
Within the total baggage allowance, you may take along a bike up to 20 kg (44 lbs). In the case of bikes up to 20 kg you pay no extra as long as your total baggage is within the maximum permitted allowance. For each extra kilogram of baggage, including the bicycle, over 20 kg, or for an extra bike, you pay a special fixed fee. The bike box or other packaging of your bike is included in the total weight. If the extra bike weighs more than 20 kg the fee doubles.
Regulations for bicycles according to the piece concept
A bike counts as a single piece of baggage, for which you pay a special fixed fee if the total baggage is over the permitted allowance. A bike may not weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs). Tandems can only be transported as freight via Air France-KLM Cargo.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
View the excess baggage fees for sports equipment
Contact Air France- KLM Cargo
Diving equipment
A set of equipment may consist of a wetsuit, vest, socks, mask, shoes, flippers, knife, empty air cylinder and regulator. The tanks should be empty and the valve should be open or removed. Diving lamps must be transported as hand baggage, with the bulb and batteries removed.
Regulations for diving equipment according to the weight concept
Within the total baggage allowance, you may carry a set of diving equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). For each kilogram of your total baggage including diving equipment over the permitted amount, or for an extra set of diving equipment up to 20 kg, we charge a special fixed fee. For an extra set of diving equipment heavier than 20 kg the special fixed fee is doubled.
Regulations for diving equipment according to the piece concept
A set of diving equipment counts as a single piece of baggage and may not weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs). If you check in more than two pieces, you pay a special fixed fee.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
View the excess baggage fees for sports equipment
Golf bags
On top of the permitted baggage allowance, you may carry one golf bag onto flights operated by KLM or Air France for free. A set of golf equipment may consist of a golf bag with clubs and a pair of golf shoes.
Regulations for golf bags according to the weight concept
If your golf bag weighs more than 20 kg, or for an extra golf bag, you pay a special fixed fee. For an extra golf bag weighing more than 20 kg the fee is doubled.
Regulations for golf bags according to the piece concept
A golf bag counts as a single piece of luggage and may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). A special fixed fee applies to extra golf bags.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
View the excess baggage fees for sports equipment
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.
Regulations for skis and snowboards according to the weight concept
Within the standard baggage allowance you may take one set of (water-)ski or snowboard equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). If your total baggage including ski or snowboard equipment weighs more than 20 kg, we charge a special fixed fee. For extra ski or snowboard equipment heavier than 20 kg the fee is doubled.
Regulations for skis and snowboards according to the piece concept
A set of ski or snowboard equipment counts as a single piece of baggage, which may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Within the maximum baggage allowance, you may carry one set of (water-)ski or snowboard equipment. If your equipment weighs more, the special fee applies.
Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
View the excess baggage fees for sports equipment
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.
Regulations for ammunition and firearms according to the weight concept
If you wish to take more baggage than the maximum allowance, the regular excess baggage fees apply.
Regulations for ammunition and firearms according to the piece concept
Each weapon counts as a single item of baggage. If you wish to take more baggage than the maximum allowance, the regular excess baggage fees apply.
You must also 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 Telephone Reservations.
- The 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.
- Firearms and ammunition are not permitted on flights on Fokker 50 aircraft or smaller aircraft.
- 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.
Read more about Dutch Customs permits
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
Other sports equipment:
Other sports equipment which comes under the maximum permitted dimensions and weights for baggage are transported without additional costs. In the case of excess weight, the standard excess baggage fee for baggage applies under the weight concept and the piece concept.
When transporting sports equipment of unusual size or weight you should make a reservation by telephone.
Musical instruments
You can bring your musical instrument in one of four ways:
- 1As hold 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.
If your baggage comes under the piece concept, a musical instrument with a length of up to 100 cm ( 39 inches) can be transported as a single item of baggage. 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 can carry a musical instrument instead of a piece of hand baggage if it fits in the overhead baggage compartment or under your seat. - 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). You can only book an extra seat by telephone or via your travel agent. - 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
Contact KLM Telephone Reservations
Contact Air France-KLM Cargo
