Boarding your flight

Passport and security checks and boarding can take longer than expected. To prevent delays, we ask that you arrive at both the airport and the gate on time, especially during the busy holiday travel seasons.

Check in and drop off your baggage

To start your journey in a relaxed way, you can easily check in online or at the airport and drop off your baggage at one of the baggage drop-off points. View the check-in and baggage drop-off times.

Gate open

Before boarding starts, the gate will be open and KLM staff will be available to help you with any questions you may have. If you notice your abbreviated name on the screens, please go to the desk at the gate for further information.

Since the gate number may have changed, we recommend that you always check the actual departure gate on the information screens at the airport.

	Destination	Gate open

	Destination Europe: ‘Schengen countries*’	Gate open 55 minutes before departure
	Destination Europe: ‘non-Schengen countries*’	Gate open 55 minutes before departure
	Destination Intercontinental	Gate open 90 minutes before departure

*According to the Schengen Convention, residents of member countries may travel freely between and through these countries. Many European countries fall under the Schengen Agreement.

Boarding

The boarding time is shown on both your boarding card and on information screens at the departure gate. We recommend to be at the gate before boarding starts. The amount of time prior to departure that boarding begins depends on the destination:

	Destination	Boarding starts

	Destination Europe: ‘Schengen countries*’	Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure
	Destination Europe: ‘non-Schengen countries*’	Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure
	Destination Intercontinental	Boarding starts 45 minutes before departure

*According to the Schengen Convention, residents of member countries may travel freely between and through these countries. Many European countries fall under the Schengen Agreement.

SkyPriority

If you travel in KLM Business Class, or if you are a Flying Blue (or SkyTeam) Elite Plus member, you will be one of the first to board the aircraft. Just look for the red SkyPriority signs!

When does the gate close?

woman checking the time for the gate closing time

At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, you can board up to 15 minutes before departure for all KLM flights. If you arrive after the gate closing time, you will not be allowed onto the aircraft.

At other airports, these times can differ. Please check the information screens at the airport carefully for the correct information. When in doubt, please ask our staff.

Receive flight information by SMS or e-mail

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest information concerning your flight? Sign up for this service and we will send you the following information by SMS or e-mail:

check-in time
any gate changes
boarding time
any delay or cancellation of your flight

There is no charge to sign up for this service or to receive messages.

Get to your gate faster from Privium Parking P2 at Amsterdam Airport

Please note: the Privium pedestrian bridge from P2 Parking to Piers B and C is closed. For more information, please visit the Schiphol website .