KLM Pet Policy 2026: The Complete Guide to Flying With Pets

Planning to fly your dog or cat with KLM? The Dutch flag carrier remains one of the most pet-friendly major airlines, but its rules are more specific than most travelers expect. Aircraft type, transfer time, breed, route, and destination-country regulations all shape whether your pet flies in the cabin, in the hold, or as cargo.

What is KLM’s policy on pets?

KLM transports only cats and dogs, either in the cabin or in the hold, on most of its flights. Pets must be at least 15 weeks old, travel on the same flight as their owner, and be reserved no later than 48 hours before departure. The airline follows IATA animal welfare guidelines.

KLM does not carry any other species as passenger pets no rabbits, birds, reptiles, or rodents. If you need to move a different animal, or a pet that exceeds size and weight limits, you’ll need KLM’s cargo service (Air France/KLM Cargo) through a licensed IPATA agent.

Here’s the policy at a glance:

102 × 69 × 76 cm on European flights operated with Boeing 737 and Embraer aircraft.

Can my pet fly in the cabin with KLM?

Yes, if your pet plus carrier weighs 8 kg (17.6 lb) or less and fits in a closed bag no larger than 46 × 28 × 24 cm. The carrier must slide under the seat in front of you. You can bring one cat or dog in Economy on all routes, or in Business Class within Europe only.

Your pet must stay inside the closed carrier for the entire flight no lap travel and no taking them out. Make sure they have room to turn around and lie down comfortably.

Where cabin pets are not allowed

• Premium Comfort Class on any route
• Business Class on intercontinental routes (no under-seat space)
• Flights to the UK (UK government embargo)

KLM pet in cabin carrier size

The maximum cabin carrier is 46 × 28 × 24 cm (18 × 11 × 9 in). A soft-sided bag is fine as long as it stays within those dimensions and your pet plus the bag weighs no more than 8 kg combined.

Carrier size example: A 5 kg cat in a 1.5 kg soft carrier totals 6.5 kg well under the limit. A 7 kg dog in a 2 kg carrier hits 9 kg, which exceeds the 8 kg cap and would force hold travel instead.

KLM pet in cabin checklist

• ✅ Pet + carrier weighs 8 kg or less
• ✅ Carrier no larger than 46 × 28 × 24 cm
• ✅ Pet is at least 15 weeks old and microchipped
• ✅ Closed, ventilated, leak-proof carrier with absorbent pad
• ✅ Economy seat (or Business within Europe)—not bulkhead or exit row
• ✅ Completed and signed PETC checklist form for check-in
• ✅ Vaccination records and health certificate (EU passport within the EU)
• ✅ Light, digestible meal about 2 hours before departure (no food/water in the 2 hours before)
• ✅ Reservation made at least 48 hours ahead via My Trip

Can my 50 pound dog fly in cabin with me on KLM?

No. A 50-pound (roughly 23 kg) dog far exceeds KLM’s 8 kg cabin limit, which covers the pet and carrier combined. A dog that size must travel in the hold in an IATA-compliant kennel, provided the breed is accepted and the route allows hold transport.

For perspective, the 8 kg cabin cap typically suits small breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, and most cats. Medium and large dogs almost always travel in the hold.

How do pets travel in the hold on KLM?

Pets too big for the cabin can travel in the hold, up to three per passenger, in an IATA-compliant hard-sided kennel. The combined weight of the pet (or pets) and kennel must stay under 75 kg. Two adult animals of similar size, or three littermates up to six months old, can share one kennel if each weighs 14 kg (31 lb) or less.

Maximum kennel dimensions

Critical hold restrictions that affect your route

These limits trip up many travelers, so check them before you book:

• Aircraft bans: No pets in the hold on Boeing 787-9, Boeing 787-10, or Airbus A321neo aircraft, nor on German Airways flights.
• Transfer time: No hold pets if your transfer exceeds 3 hours. For longer connections, cargo is required.
• Paris (CDG/Orly) exception: Pets cannot continue automatically. Even with a transfer over 4.5 hours, you must collect your pet and baggage and re-check them for the connecting flight.
• KLM Cityhopper (KLC): No hold pets on KLC flights longer than 2 hours.
• Snub-nosed breeds: Most are banned from the hold (see below).

Kennel requirements (IATA standard)

• Hard fiberglass or rigid plastic shell
• Pet can stand without the head touching the roof, turn around, and lie down
• Centralized door locking system fastening top and bottom; pins extending at least 1.6 cm beyond the door frame
• Wheels removed or blocked with tape
• Two attached food/water containers, fillable from outside
• Absorbent material on the floor (no straw)
• Two halves joined by bolts no other lateral closing systems

Which breeds can’t fly in the KLM hold?

KLM bans most snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds from the hold because flat-faced animals struggle to breathe under heat and stress. These pets may still fly in the cabin if they meet the 8 kg limit, or travel as cargo.

If your breed isn’t listed but looks flat-faced, contact the KLM Customer Contact Center before booking. A French Bulldog, for example, cannot travel in the hold and is often too large for the 8 kg cabin limit meaning cargo may be the only path.

How much does it cost to fly a pet on KLM?

KLM charges EUR 70 to EUR 500 per one-way flight, depending on your route and whether the pet travels in the cabin or hold. The exact fee appears when you add your pet to a booking in My Trip. Cargo transport is priced separately based on pet size, kennel, and itinerary.

Fee scenario: A round trip with a cabin cat on a European route might cost around EUR 140–200 total (two one-way segments). A large dog in the hold on an intercontinental route can approach the upper EUR 400–500 range each way. Always confirm at booking, since fees vary by origin and destination.

KLM pet policy on international flights

KLM accepts cats and dogs on most international routes across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, subject to aircraft type, transfer rules, and destination-country entry requirements. The operating airline’s policy applies, so check whether a codeshare partner runs any segment of your trip.

A key point many travelers miss: if the operating airline changes during your journey, you’ll likely need to reclaim and re-check your pet, clear customs, and meet extra documentation requirements at the layover country.

KLM pet fee on international flights

International pet fees fall within the same EUR 70–500 per one-way band. Longer intercontinental hold journeys sit at the higher end, while short cabin trips sit at the lower end. There is no separate “international surcharge” published beyond this range the fee is route-dependent.

KLM pet policy on international flights to Europe

For travel within or into the EU, dogs and cats must be microchipped and hold a European pet passport confirming valid rabies vaccination. Pets entering from outside the EU must meet import rules based on the rabies risk of the departure country check this early to avoid quarantine.

If you’re flying into Amsterdam Schiphol as cargo from a non-EU country and clearing customs there, the pet’s health certificate must be pre-approved within 48 hours of arrival. Transiting pets are exempt from that step.

KLM pet policy on international flights to the USA

Dogs flying to the United States must follow CDC rules. You must complete the CDC Dog Import Form and bring a digital or paper receipt to the airport. The dog must be microchipped and at least 6 months old. If the dog is between 6 and 12 months, file the form at least 15 days before departure.

For dogs arriving from countries the CDC classifies as high-risk for rabies, additional requirements apply review the CDC importation page before booking.

What documents does my pet need to fly KLM?

Your pet needs proof of identity (microchip), valid vaccinations, and the right health certificates for every country on the itinerary departure, transfer, and destination. Within the EU, a European pet passport covers microchip and rabies proof. Outside the EU, requirements vary, so consult the relevant embassies.

Essential documentation checklist:

• Microchip (mandatory for EU travel and US dog imports)
• European pet passport (EU travel) with rabies vaccination record
• Health certificate appropriate to destination (cargo: issued within 10 days of travel)
• CDC Dog Import Form receipt (US-bound dogs)
• Import permits where the destination country requires them
• Completed and signed KLM checklist form (PETC: one copy; AVIH: two copies)

If you don’t meet the rules of KLM or any country on your route, your pet can be refused boarding and KLM is not responsible for resulting costs like rebooking, hotels, or kennel fees.

When should I arrive at the airport with a pet?

Arrive at least 3 hours before departure for most flights, or at least 2 hours for flights departing European stations. Pets check in at the special assistance desk, where the animal and kennel are weighed and labeled, so build in extra time.

What is KLM’s service dog policy?

KLM allows trained service dogs to travel in the cabin free of charge. The dog must be trained by a recognized organization such as one affiliated with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), ADEu, or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and fit in the floor space at the passenger’s feet.

Notify KLM at least 48 hours in advance, or 96 hours ahead for travel to the United Kingdom or United Arab Emirates. Service dogs must be marked, harnessed, and leashed, and behave calmly. For flights involving the United States, complete the required Department of Transportation forms at least 48 hours before departure. On flights over 8 hours, plan for your dog’s sanitary needs.

Note: KLM does not have a special category for emotional support animals; they are treated as regular pets and subject to standard fees and rules.

How do I add a pet to my KLM flight?

Book your flight first, then add your pet as soon as possible afterward through My Trip on KLM’s website no later than 48 hours before departure. Space is limited and depends on the aircraft, route, and operating airline, so reserve early to secure a spot.

Step-by-step:

1. Check the aircraft and transfer first. Avoid 787-9, 787-10, and A321neo for hold pets; confirm transfers are 3 hours or less (CDG handled separately).
2. Decide cabin vs. hold based on weight, size, and cabin class.
3. Reserve via My Trip at least 48 hours before departure.
4. Confirm your kennel meets IATA standards.
5. Check breed restrictions for snub-nosed dogs and cats.
6. Verify entry documents for every country on your route.

Tip: Contact the KLM Customer Contact Center to create a temporary booking with your pet, so you can confirm you’ll travel together before paying for your own ticket.

What happens in extreme weather?

Hold and cargo pets face temperature limits for safety. Most pets won’t be accepted as checked baggage or cargo when temperatures along the route are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C). With an acclimation certificate, some pets may fly in colder conditions, but never below 20°F (-6.6°C). Snub-nosed breeds face stricter summer limits.

The greatest temperature risk isn’t in the air it’s during loading, taxiing, and tarmac holding.

When do I need KLM cargo instead?

You’ll need Air France/KLM Cargo, arranged through a licensed IPATA agent, when your pet can’t travel as passenger baggage. This applies if:

• Pet plus kennel weighs more than 75 kg
• The kennel exceeds KLM’s maximum dimensions
• Your pet travels on a different flight than you
• The destination country only accepts pets as cargo (for example, the UK and UAE)
• Your transfer time or aircraft doesn’t allow hold travel

Frequently asked questions

What is KLM’s pet weight limit?

In the cabin, the pet plus carrier must weigh 8 kg (17.6 lb) or less. In the hold, the combined weight of the pet and kennel must stay under 75 kg (165 lb). Pets sharing one kennel must each weigh 14 kg (31 lb) or less.

Can my pet fly to the UK on KLM?

No. A UK government embargo means KLM cannot carry pets to the UK as cabin or hold passenger baggage. Pets must enter the UK as air cargo instead. Travel from the UK on KLM is permitted.

How old must my pet be to fly KLM?

Pets must be at least 15 weeks old to fly in the cabin or hold. Dogs entering the United States must be at least 6 months old under CDC rules.

Can I sedate my pet before a KLM flight?

KLM strongly advises against tranquilizing pets. Sedation can slow acclimation and lower body temperature mid-flight. Only use a tranquilizer if your veterinarian specifically recommends it.

How many pets can I bring on KLM?

You can bring one pet in the cabin or up to three pets in the hold per passenger, subject to the 75 kg combined weight cap and kennel-sharing rules.

How long before my flight should I book my pet?

Reserve as soon as you’ve booked your own ticket, and no later than 48 hours before departure. Pet space is limited and varies by aircraft and route, so early booking is the safest way to guarantee you travel together.