Flying with a pet
on KLM.

1. Identify the operating carrier and travel format

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines publishes separate arrangements for accompanied dogs and cats, trained service dogs and cargo shipments. Ordinary passenger pets need prior, explicit airline acceptance. They are outside the standard baggage allowance.

KLM’s conditions distinguish KLM/KLM Cityhopper-operated flights from codeshares. Record the operator of every segment and request pet approval for the complete itinerary, including any Air France or other partner leg. A shared booking reference does not establish shared animal-acceptance rules.

Sources: KLM: general conditions of carriage.

2. Check both the cabin class and the container

KLM accepts one cabin cat or dog in Economy or European Business. Intercontinental Premium Comfort and Business exclude ordinary cabin pets.

The signed cabin checklist specifies 8 kg combined weight and 46 × 28 × 24 cm, length × width × height. It allows a kennel or travel bag on KLM, while Air France requires a soft bag. The closed, ventilated, waterproof container must fit under the seat and allow natural movement. Keep the animal inside throughout boarding and flight until disembarkation.

Measure the animal as well as the carrier. A correctly labeled bag can still be too small for its occupant.

Sources: KLM: pet reservations and restrictions · KLM: cabin-pet checklist (PDF).

3. Send exact hold dimensions and loaded weight

Up to three hold pets may be booked. Maximum crate dimensions are 122 × 81 × 89 cm, reduced to 102 × 69 × 76 cm on European Boeing 737/Embraer flights. The reservation page inconsistently describes the combined 75 kg boundary; obtain confirmation at that exact weight.

The hold checklist requires age 15 weeks or older. Sharing is conditional: two compatible dogs or two cats of comparable size, each no heavier than 14 kg, or three same-litter animals up to six months, each within 14 kg. Ask KLM to confirm the proposed grouping.

Sources: KLM: pet reservations and restrictions · KLM: hold-pet checklist (PDF).

4. Aircraft and transfers can rule out hold travel

Hold pets are excluded on Boeing 787-9, 787-10, Airbus A321neo, German Airways flights and KLM Cityhopper flights over two hours.

KLM bars hold transfers of three hours or longer, while separately describing pet collection and recheck at CDG/ORY even beyond 4.5 hours. Get the specific Paris itinerary resolved rather than treating that wording as an exception.

Passenger pets are excluded to the UK; departures from the UK remain subject to ordinary acceptance conditions.

Sources: KLM: pet reservations and restrictions.

5. Prepare the crate and airport checklist

KLM’s preparation page specifies a rigid plastic or fiberglass shell, bolted halves, secure top-and-bottom door locking, absorbent lining and externally fillable food/water compartments. The pet must stand without touching the roof, turn and lie down comfortably. Follow the complete checklist, including labeling and wheel requirements.

The linked hold checklist is narrower about materials: it describes rigid plastic with a built-in metal door. Confirm a fiberglass crate before buying it.

Bring the signed cabin checklist or two signed hold-checklist copies. KLM’s preparation page recommends arrival three hours before departure, or two hours at European departure stations; confirm your airport’s deadline.

Sources: KLM: preparing a pet’s trip · KLM: hold-pet checklist (PDF).

6. Check breed eligibility before selecting hold travel

Listed snub-nosed breeds cannot travel in the hold, including Persian cats and Bulldogs. Review KLM’s complete breed list.

An omitted breed is not an acceptance decision. Send the exact breed or crossbreed and a clear description to the airline. Discuss the animal’s fitness with a veterinarian; avoid choosing a route from a weight limit alone.

Sources: KLM: pet reservations and restrictions.

7. Reserve the pet and confirm the quote

Reserve at least 48 hours ahead; the pet must accompany you on the same flight.

Request written pet confirmation and the complete price for the proposed journey, including the return and any change conditions. Recheck the animal’s booking if the aircraft, operator or itinerary changes. Ordinary baggage allowance or a paid extra bag does not include the pet.

Sources: KLM: pet reservations and restrictions · KLM: general conditions of carriage.

8. Cargo requires a separate shipment assessment

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo publishes the Specialized Live PLUS product and directs private cat-and-dog customers to freight forwarders. Check its live-animal network for the proposed shipment.

Ask for a separate quote and written acceptance of the animal, crate, route and stations. Cargo availability is not established by a passenger pet page suggesting it as an alternative.

Sources: Air France KLM Martinair Cargo: Specialized Live PLUS · Air France KLM Martinair Cargo: live-animal network.

9. Trained service dogs have their own request

Qualifying service-dog carriage is free under KLM’s conditions. The usual process starts at least 48 hours ahead with the service-dog form, identification and health records. Non-U.S. documentation includes training evidence. The application instructs travelers to follow up with KLM CARES for confirmation and carry the paperwork.

The dog must perform disability-related tasks, remain controlled and be safely accommodated. KLM’s application requires a harness and attachment to the passenger’s seat belt throughout flight. Its live webpage also permits passengers who rely entirely on their dog to take it along when moving about the cabin, such as during a lavatory visit. Its separate U.S. process uses DOT forms rather than the KLM application.

KLM lists additional destination procedures: UK Animal Reception Centre pre-approval at least 72 hours ahead, UAE airline requests at least 96 hours, and an advised 96-hour lead for Johannesburg. Start earlier where authority approval is needed; check the route-specific training and import documents.

Sources: KLM: general conditions of carriage · KLM: traveling with a trained service dog · KLM: trained service-dog application (PDF).

10. U.S. protections and documents have a defined scope

A qualifying U.S.-route service dog is individually trained for a person’s disability; an emotional-support designation or purchased certificate is insufficient. Airline acceptance remains subject to behavior, safe accommodation and government entry rules.

KLM’s service page asks for two DOT forms. U.S. regulations allow the relief attestation for flight segments scheduled to take eight hours or more; check the appropriate documents for your flight. For reservations made less than 48 hours before departure, KLM allows presentation at check-in or the gate. U.S. rules also require accommodation when reasonable efforts can do so without delaying the flight if advance notice is missed.

CDC entry rules apply separately. Dogs entering the U.S. must be at least six months old and meet the applicable microchip, health and document requirements. Check CDC directly rather than interpreting an airline’s invitation to contact its service center as an exception.

Sources: U.S. DOT: service animals · 14 CFR 382.75: service-animal forms and notice · KLM: traveling with a trained service dog · CDC: dog-import requirements and questions.

11. Confirm destination and transit requirements

Prepare government entry documentation alongside the airline forms. Account for where the animal has been, who accompanies it and whether collecting it during a connection requires entry into that country. Airline approval cannot resolve a missing import permit or veterinary document.

KLM’s health-preparation wording and its acceptance checklist differ in places. Discuss feeding, hydration and medication with the veterinarian, and ask KLM to confirm carriage conditions before travel. Do not treat general preparation advice as permission to present an animal that fails the airport assessment.

Sources: KLM: preparing a pet’s trip · KLM: hold-pet checklist (PDF) · KLM: general conditions of carriage.

Prepare a route review

Send cities, dates, operators and aircraft if known, animal age, breed, weight and measurements, crate dimensions and loaded weight. Add any existing airline confirmation and who will accompany or receive the pet.

Request a route and quote or read our carrier guide and country guides. Keep the route open until the airline and relevant authorities have confirmed the parts they control.

Questions before you book

Related reading: Airline pet travel guides · Carrier fit and preparation · Pet shipping cost guide · Country entry guides.

Official sources and scope

• KLM: pet reservations and restrictions
• KLM: preparing a pet’s trip
• KLM: cabin-pet checklist (PDF)
• KLM: hold-pet checklist (PDF)
• KLM: general conditions of carriage
• KLM: traveling with a trained service dog
• KLM: trained service-dog application (PDF)
• Air France KLM Martinair Cargo: Specialized Live PLUS
• Air France KLM Martinair Cargo: live-animal network
• U.S. DOT: service animals
• 14 CFR 382.75: service-animal forms and notice
• CDC: dog-import requirements and questions

Official sources checked October 11, 2026. Confirm the operating airline, animal, container and every flight before payment; published limits do not reserve space. Material source differences are identified above.