KLM Carry-On Baggage Allowance: Rules & Restrictions

If you are going to be flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, here are the carry-on baggage rules you need to be aware of regarding size, weight, liquids, prohibited items, etc. Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

KLM Hand Baggage Policy

The KLM hand baggage allowance varies depending on the class of airfare you have purchased. You are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item when you are flying economy class and two carry-on bags plus a personal item for those flying in the premium economy and business class cabins (This is similar to their alliance partner Air France).

KLM Hand Baggage Size & Weight Limits

Below further detail around the carry on size and weight restrictions for each cabin class:

Economy Class Hand Baggage Allowance

In Economy Class, you’re always allowed to bring:

• 1 carry on bag with a maximum size of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (including handles and wheels);
• 1 personal item with a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
• Your hand baggage can have a combined weight of up to 12 kg.

Premium Comfort Class Hand Baggage Allowance

In Premium Comfort Class, you’re always allowed to bring:

• 2 carry on bags with a maximum size of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (including handles and wheels);
• 1 personal item with a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
• Your hand baggage can have a combined weight of up to 12 kg.

Business Class Hand Baggage Allowance

In Business Class, you’re always allowed to bring:

• 2 carry on bags with a maximum size of 55 x 35 x 25 cm (including handles and wheels);
• 1 personal item with a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
• Your hand baggage can have a combined weight of up to 18 kg.

Recommended Carry-On Bag

If you are looking for an international-sized carry-on bag, the Travelpro 20-inch Global Expandable Spinner Carry-on is definitely one to consider since it fits within KLM’s carry-on size limit of 22x14x10 inches.

It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds enough for shorter trips (3-5 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.

Personal Items

Personal items include accessories such as a purse, laptop bag, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item.

The following items do not count as a personal item and can be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.

• Jacket, coat, or other clothes you are wearing,
• Umbrella,
• Duty-free items purchased on your flight or at the airport,
• an approved car safety seat,
• a small bag of foods,
• an umbrella-type collapsible stroller,
• Baby buggies must be checked in as hold baggage.

KLM Carry-On Weight Limits

KLM requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 12 kg (26 lbs.) for economy and premium economy fares. Business Class passengers have a higher weight limit of up to 18 kg between the two bags they can carry on.

Related Content: KLM Flight Deals

KLM Liquid Allowance

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA in the US and the EASA and European Commission in Europe.  KLM doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities. The rules are as follows:

• Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
• All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity of 1 liter). One bag per person.
• The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened in the course of security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
• Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.

You are allowed to bring the following liquids with you:

• Baby food to be consumed during the flight;
• Medicine to be taken during the flight, together with a prescription or doctor’s statement;
• Specific diet foods to be consumed during the flight;
• Sealed tax-free items.

Carry-On Pet Policy

KLM allows your to bring a carry-on pet with you for domestic fligths. The price depends upon the route and is charged once per flight direction.

Transport rules
Your dog or cat must travel in a special closed travel bag that does not exceed 46 x 28 x 24 cm / 18 x 11 x 9 in. For your comfort on board, KLM recommends that you use a flexible bag.

• The bag must be well-ventilated and big enough for your animal to stand up and turn around.
• The bag must fit in the area underneath the seat in front of you.
• Under no circumstances may your animal leave its travel bag during the flight.
• Only 1 animal is permitted per container.
• Each passenger may travel with only 1 animal.
• Your pet’s travel container is considered an additional baggage item and will incur a fee.

Business cabin on intercontinental flights:
KLM does not accept pets in the Business cabin on intercontinental flights. For its own safety, your dog or cat must travel in the hold.

Checked Baggage Policy

If you end up having to check one or more bags with KLM, the number of bags you can check (without a fee) depends on multiple variables, including your destination and fare class.

• Economy class: 1 piece not exceeding 50.5 lbs/23 kg and 62in/158 cm (length + width + height)
• Business class: 2 pieces not exceeding 70.5 lbs/32 kg and 62in/158 cm (length + width + height) each
• Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum members; SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members: one extra piece based on their travel class with corresponding weight and size restrictions

Economy class passengers may bring 2 pieces of check-in baggage when traveling to the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South America (Ecuador and Brazil), Africa, or French Polynesia.

Click here for specific information about your flight with the KLM Baggage Calculator.

Prohibited Items

A complete list can be found on the FAA website, the TSA website, and/or the EASA website. These include items such as: hoverboard, knifes and sharp objects, blunt instruments, explosives, etc..

One more way to find them is with the KLM summary of restricted items.

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