When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does KLM allow pets on my route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on KLM? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for KLM? All your answers related to KLM pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is KLM based?
KLM is based out of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Most layovers within KLM’s network will occur in this airport. Air France and KLM have similar pet policies as a result of a merger in 2004 between Air France and KLM.
What countries does KLM fly to?
KLM flies to destinations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America and the Caribbean including the following countries: Angola, Aruba, Argentina, various EU Member States, Bahrain, Bonaire, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Sint Maarten, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States*.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
KLM Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Delta Airline’s pet policy to travel in-cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets flown on KLM in the cabin
Small cats and dogs.
Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
As soon as you have made your reservations, you should contact KLM to make reservations for your pet.
Age requirements
The minimum age to fly in the cabin is 15 weeks of age.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic US) or 4 sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
Maximum size carrier: 18″ x 11″ x 9.5″ (46 x 28 x 24 cm). Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
Proof of all required vaccinations and documentation for the layover and destination countries must be presented at check in. All pets flying within the European Union must have an EU Pet Passport with proof of microchip and rabies vaccination available.
Route restrictions
KLM will permit the carriage of small dogs and cats in the Economy section of the cabin on all flights and in the Business
Class of the cabin on EU flights. No pets are permitted in Premium Comfort Class or Business Class on international flights.
Check in
You will check in at the passenger counter in the terminal as animals are not checked in at curbside. The cost will be collected at the time of check in. Your pet airline carrier will count as an excess piece of carry-on luggage.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
Range: €70 to €200
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability.
Your service dog must be certified by an organization affiliated with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), ADeu (Assistance Dogs International Europe Regional Chapter), International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), or another comparable organization. KLM must be notified at least 48 hours in advance and 96 hours in advance if traveling to the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew. Be prepared to provide for your dog’s sanitary needs on flights longer than 8 hours.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
KLM Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on AIRLINE NAME if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown on KLM as checked baggage
Dogs or cats weighing more than 17 lbs. (8kg) up to a maximum weight of 165.3 lbs. (75 kg) are permitted to travel as checked baggage on KLM flights.
Reservations
As soon as you have made your reservations, you should contact KLM to make reservations for your pet.
Age requirements
The minimum age to fly as checked baggage is 15 weeks of age.
Pet crate requirements
Three pets per passenger are permitted to fly as checked baggage. Two adult pets of the same species can fly in the same crate if they are of the same size and less than 30 lbs. (14 kg) each. Three puppies or kittens up to six months of age can fly in the same crate if they are from the same litter.
The maximum crate size is 48″ x 27″ x 30″ (122 x 81 x 89 cm) (KLM flights) and 40″ x 27″ x 30″ (102 x 69 x 76 cm) (KLM City Hopper flights). The maximum weight of your pet plus its crate is 165 lbs. (75 kg).
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Layovers must be less than 3 hours unless occurring in Paris. In this case, the layover must be 4.5 hours. Pets flying to the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates must do so as air cargo.
No pets are permitted on Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft.
Temperature Restrictions
Forms Required
Proof of all required vaccinations and documentation for the layover and destination countries must be presented at check in. All pets flying within the European Union must have an EU Pet Passport with proof of microchip and rabies vaccination available.
Check in
You will check in at the passenger counter in the terminal as animals are not checked in at curbside. The cost will be collected at the time of check in. Your pet must be presented in an IATA-compliant per crate (see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS).
Cost
Ranges between €100 and €400 depending on the route.
KLM Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal.
KLM has partnered with Air France and Martinair to provide cargo services to traveling pet owners. KLM requires that a licensed International Pet and Animal Transport (IPATA) agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown on KLM as air cargo
Unaccompanied cats or dogs, dogs exceeding limits for checked baggage as well as ornamental fish, horses, mammals, day-old chickens, zoo animals, cattle, hatching eggs and insects can be transported by Air France/KLM Cargo.
Reservations
Reservations should be made within 14 days of travel.
Age requirements
Minimum age to meet vaccination requirements necessitate 15 weeks prior to transport.
Pet crate requirements
Wooden crates are not permitted. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
No pets are permitted on Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft. Pets must enter the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates as air cargo.
All pets arriving in Amsterdam as air cargo from a non-EU country that will be clearing customs must get their health certificate pre-approved within 48 hours of arrival. Completed certificates can be emailed to animals.inspection@klmcargo.com. Without the approval of your pet’s health certificate, it will not be accepted for
transport or will be subject to quarantine upon arrival. This requirement does not include pets that are transiting through
Amsterdam.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. All pets flying within the European Union must have an EU Pet Passport with proof of microchip and rabies vaccination available.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the KLM cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal. Locations will vary by airport depending on the location of the KLM Cargo office.
Cost
The cost will depend on the size/weight of your pet and its crate and the itinerary.
Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, and welded metal mesh. KLM does not allow wooden crates. They must be made of hard plastic with built in metal door and adequate ventilation. There must be a pet pad, blanket or shredded newspaper on the floor of the crate.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware must be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. KLM requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets. Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matte for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by KLM
Dog breeds that are not allowed in the hold: Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxers (all breeds), Bulldogs (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Pugs (all breeds), Chow-Chow, Great Dane (all breeds), Certain breeds of Spaniel (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Small Brabant, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian cats are not allowed in the hold.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
Facilities are provided at Amsterdam for short term kenneling and care. Pets should not be sedated to fly on KLM. No aggressive behavior must be displayed.
The information published here is a guideline for KLM airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following KLM pet policy.
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