Mobility assistance
Requesting wheelchair assistance
We’ll do everything possible to help you ensure a comfortable and smooth journey. To make use of an airport wheelchair, please request wheelchair assistance in My Trip. You can also contact us directly, at least 48 hours before departure.
For all other assistance requests you can use the KLM Cares form or contact KLM Cares by phone or e-mail.
Note that assistance at the airport is provided by a 3rd party.
At the airport
Please arrive at the airport at least 2,5 hours before departure of your European flight or 3,5 hours before departure of your intercontinental flight. For assistance, you can go to the revolving doors at the entrance and on the sidewalk outside the departure hall, where service points are located.
Once you’re checked in, you can register yourself at the airport assistance desk in the check-in area. You can register directly at the airport assistance desk if you've already checked in online.
At each airport, wheelchairs are available between the check-in desks and the gate and upon arrival. Our wheelchairs are not suitable for manual use, and thus 1 of our agents or your travel companion will have to push it for you.
Boarding and disembarking
Our agents will assist you with boarding and disembarking the aircraft. You may board the aircraft before the other passengers. For safety reasons, you’re also asked to leave the aircraft last upon arrival.
Foldable wheelchairs designed to fit the aisles of our aircraft are available onboard all KLM and KLM Cityhopper aircraft.
Personal assistance
Depending on the type of assistance you need during the flight, you might need to travel with a travelling companion or a safety assistant.
Although our flight attendants will assist you with using the onboard wheelchair, they are not allowed to lift or carry you or assist you within the toilet area. They also cannot assist you with eating or medical services. If you require this kind of help during the flight, you need to arrange your own travelling companion to help you during your flight.
To ensure your safety, you need to arrange a safety assistant if you cannot evacuate independently in the unlikely event of an emergency. You can either arrange one yourself or ask our staff at the airport to help you find a passenger willing to assist you. Please note that you will not be allowed to board if you don’t have a safety assistant to help you during your flight.
If you arrange to bring your own safety assistant, you can select adjacent seats in My Trip. If this is not possible, we will make sure you and your safety assistant will sit next to each other. Your safety assistant will not pay extra for their seat selection.
Transferring
We strongly advise you to plan a minimum of 90 minutes transfer time between your flights, so you can take the time you need to get to your next flight.
Walking stick or crutches
You can take your walking stick or crutches with you onboard; simply place them in the overhead baggage bin. It is free of charge, and you don’t need to make a reservation.
Wheeled walker
Your wheeled walker will be transported as checked baggage. If you prefer keeping it with you until you’re at the departure gate, please indicate this when checking in. Your walker will be loaded into the aircraft once you arrive at the gate.
On arrival, we do our utmost best to return your wheeled walker to you at the gate. If this is not possible, you can collect it from the baggage belt. An airport wheelchair will be available to bring you there.
Stretcher service
If you’re required to lie in a horizontal position during your flight, you can use our stretcher service. For this service, additional costs apply. You’ll need to be accompanied by someone who can lend you medical assistance.
Please contact us to make a reservation.
Services onboard
Onboard, we’ve got the following facilities:
- The toilets in our KLM aircraft are equipped with toilet handles.
- Wheelchair accessible toilets are available on KLM’s Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 aircraft. Our Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 aircraft have a foldaway curtain to enlarge the lavatory space.
- We have aisle and middle seats with moveable armrests, so you can transfer more easily into your seat.
Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities.