KLM Baggage and Carry-on

How many bags can I take with me in the cabin?

The carry-on allowance on flights operated by KLM may differ depending on your travel class:

• Economy Class: 1 bag plus 1 accessory (briefcase, camera carrier, laptop, or other).
• Business Class: 2 bags plus 1 accessory (briefcase, camera carrier, laptop, or other).

In case a flight is operated by another airline, the hand baggage policy of the operating carrier applies.

What is KLM’s policy on checked baggage?

On flights operated by KLM, passengers may have a free checked baggage allowance, depending on their travel class and fare. The general free checked baggage allowance is:

• Economy Class:
  • Light fare – no free baggage allowance.
  • Standard & Flex fares – 1 bag weighing no more than 23 kg (50 lbs).
• Business Class – 2 bags weighing each no more than 32 kg (70 lbs) each.

Regardless of the travel class or destination, each bag may measure no more than 158 cm / 62 in (L+W+H).

There may be special cases (exceptions from the general free checked baggage allowance) for the free checked baggage allowance of Economy Class passengers traveling on specific routes (e.g. flights between Paris and/or Amsterdam to Accra, Addis Ababa, Brazzaville, Lagos, Djibouti, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, etc., between the US, Canada, or Mexico and Africa, etc.). In these special cases, passengers traveling in Economy Class are allowed to check the first and/or second piece of baggage weighing up to 23 kg and 158 cm free of charge.

To find the exact baggage allowance for your route, please use the Baggage Calculator on the KLM website.

Does KLM provide baggage transfer on connecting flights?

If you are transferring flights at some point in your journey, the general rule is that your baggage will be delivered to your final destination (as stated on the baggage claim tag). There is no need for you to pick it up and drop it off again unless:

• You change airports to take your connecting flight.
• You bought two tickets or more from other airlines with different conditions.
• You transfer to a domestic flight from an intercontinental flight.
• You start or continue your journey by train or bus.

Carry-on

The following size and weight restrictions apply to hand baggage allowances on KLM flights:

• Economy Class:
  • 1 piece of hand baggage with maximum dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 10 in).
  • 1 accessory with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in).
  • The total weight (hand baggage plus accessory) of maximum 12 kg (26 lbs).
• Business Class:
  • 2 pieces of hand baggage with maximum dimensions 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21,5 x 13,5 x 10 in) each.
  • 1 accessory with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in).
  • The total weight (hand baggage plus accessory) of maximum 18 kg (40 lbs).

US legislation allows passengers to carry on board only 1 piece of hand baggage plus 1 accessory when departing from the US. Therefore, Business Class passengers must check in their 2nd piece of hand baggage.

Due to limited storage space in the cabin, KLM may ask you to put your hand baggage in the hold if you are traveling on flights operated by KLM Cityhopper or KLM Boeing 737 aircraft.

With regard to duty-free liquids carried in the hand baggage, EU regulations permit passengers to bring with them duty-free liquids bought at non-EU airports when transferring at an EU airport. However, when transferring at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, duty-free liquids and gels bought at non-EU airports will be checked at the gate. When traveling to the US, you may bring on board only duty-free liquids that were purchased and sealed at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Checked Baggage

Once you check yourself in for your flight, you can leave your baggage at any of the drop-off places available at the airport you are departing from. You can do this even 3 hours ahead of your departure time, although you need to check if the airport you are departing from has different schedules and times allowed.

KLM will not transport the next items:

• Bags weighing more than 32 kg.
• Items or suitcases that measure more than 300 cm.
• Fragile or unusual pieces or suitcases.
• More than 10 pieces of baggage per passenger.

On all KLM flights, Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum members and SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members can bring an additional baggage item on all SkyTeam flights.

Excess Baggage Fees

When you have one baggage too many, you can get a discount when buying online up to 24 hours before departure if you reserve a special space for your extra baggage that weighs no more than 23 kg.

You can arrange for extra pieces of baggage online (at the time of booking, through My Trip or Online Check-in) only if you are traveling on an Air France or KLM ticket on a flight operated by KLM or on an onward Air France flight after a KLM flight. Each piece of extra baggage must weigh no more than 23 kg (50.5 lbs) and measure no more than 158 cm (62 in). Paying for your extra baggage online might not be allowed if:

• The airport you are departing from does not allow excess baggage to be checked in online.
• If part of your journey will be operated by some other airline than KLM.
• Part of your journey will be done by train or bus.

For additional, overweight and/or oversized bags, excess baggage fees apply to a one-way trip in which all the legs (or at least the first one) are operated by KLM or Air France.

If you want to purchase extra checked baggage within 24 hours before departure or, at the airport, you want to check in more pieces of checked baggage or pieces of luggage that exceed the maximum weight (23-32 kg) or size (158-300 cm), you’ll have to pay excess fees:

• Flights within Europe – between EUR 70 and EUR 200.
• Intercontinental flights – between EUR 75 and EUR 300 (e.g., Europe ↔ the US:  2nd piece – 85 EUR, 3rd-10th piece – 240 EUR, overweight piece – 85 EUR, oversized piece – 250 EUR).

If more than one of the above fees applies, the sum of these fees will be charged.

Sporting Equipment

Most sporting equipment (golf bags, hockey equipment, diving equipment (except scuba tank), ski and fishing equipment up to 300 cm, surfboards up to 107 cm) may be checked with no reservation necessary, as regular pieces of baggage up to 23 kg (50 lbs) in Economy Class and 32 kg (70 lbs) in Business Class (included in the free baggage allowance or as an extra piece, for the appropriate fee). Surfboards greater than 107 cm not included in the free baggage allowance may incur a fee of up to 1250 EUR. Please use the Baggage Calculator on the KLM website to find the actual charge based on the route.

KLM requires you to make a reservation at least 48 hours before departure for the following sporting equipment: bicycles, scuba diving tank, and surfboards greater than 107 cm.

Bicycles and scuba tanks are special sporting items that will always incur a fee based on the route:

• Within Europe – 55 EUR.
• Europe ↔ the US, Canada – 125 EUR / 150 USD / 175 CAD.
• Other routes – 100 EUR.

Baggage Service

If you notice your baggage has not arrived at your destination, you should go immediately to the Baggage Service Office at the airport and fill the PIR (Property Irregularity Report). They will issue a baggage claim report for each missing piece you enter. Save these reports in a safe place, and keep them until the matter has been solved.

You can report your delayed suitcases online only within 2 days of your arrival if any of the selected destinations is either the arrival city for your KLM flight or the departure city, but your KLM flight got canceled after you had already dropped your suitcases off, and they have not been returned to you.

When you filled your PIR, they assigned you a number. That is your tracking number. With it, you can check the status of your baggage. You can also fill a Claim Form online if your baggage has not turned up after three days. This form is available online, and you can add all the needed information there. The more details you provide, the easier it will be for them to find your luggage.

There are normal usage marks, dents, or scratches done to your baggage during the flight, but, if you consider that there is too much damage done, or there is a major issue with one or more of your suitcases, you need to report it to the Customer Care office during the first 7 days after your arrival. You should proceed the same way when there is something missing from your suitcases as a result of the damage done. This should be done immediately after your arrival at the airport. Look for the Baggage Service Office and report it. If you fail to file a report after 7 days of your arrival, the request will be dismissed.

Liability on lost or damaged baggage is limited at KLM, so we urge you to contact your insurance agent. Most of them will cover your loss or damage based on the value assigned to the property.

More information here >>