KLM baggage allowance

In a similar change to that of the Virgin Baggage allowance at the end of 2009, as of March 28th 2010 KLM are changing their baggage allowance to a system where you may bring 1 piece of check-in baggage (of max. 23 kg) on KLM flights, regardless of your destination. World Business Class and Europe Select travellers and Flying Blue Silver, Gold and Platinum members may bring more.

[see for KLM site most up to date baggage allowance rules]

One baggage policy

To make their check-in baggage rules simpler and more transparent, the ‘piece concept’ replaces the ‘weight concept’ for all tickets issued on or after March 28th 2010.

This means that if you travel on a ticket which is issued as of that date, you may check in 1 piece of luggage (of max. 23 kg) in Economy Class. For a second piece you pay a flat fee of EUR 55 (USD 55, or its local equivalent when departing from outside Europe) per one way.

For excess weight, baggage of unusual size, sports equipment and other special baggage, KLM also charge flat fees.

Golf baggage on KLM flights

A golf bag counts as a single piece of luggage and may weigh up to 23 kilograms. You pay an excess baggage fee if it weighs more, or if you are taking the golf bag in addition to your standard baggage allowance.

A set of golf equipment may consist of a golf bag containing only clubs, balls and a pair of golf shoes. Golf bags containing clothing or other items are considered as regular baggage.

Flying Blue Golf Club

If you are a member of the Flying Blue Golf Club and all flights in your itinerary are operated by KLM or AIR FRANCE (including CityJet and Brit Air), you may take one golf bag with you free of charge on top of your standard baggage allowance. This does not apply to flights operated by KLM's partners. Consult the airline in question for their golf bag rules and limitations.

Always make a reservation for your golf bag at least 48 hours before departure through Manage my Booking or KLM Telephone Reservations. Ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Tickets issued before 28th March

If your ticket is issued before 28th March 2010, KLM still calculate your baggage allowance either by number of pieces (piece concept) or by weight (weight concept), depending on your destination. According to the ‘piece concept’, you may bring a certain number of pieces of check-in luggage. Under the ‘weight concept’, your baggage allowance is restricted by a maximum weight.

Check your e-ticket for the exact amount of luggage you may bring.

Check-in baggage

Depending on your destination, KLM calculate your free baggage allowance either according to the number of pieces of baggage or by weight. This will be shown on your e-ticket in the ‘baggage’ box.

• If your e-ticket states a weight in kilos, this is the maximum weight of your free baggage allowance (weight concept).

• If your e-ticket specifies ‘PC’, it will also show the number of pieces of baggage included in your free baggage allowance (piece concept).

Piece concept

Your destination determines how many pieces of luggage you may take with you. The maximum weight allowance (in kilos) or number of pieces (‘PC’) that can be checked in is stated on your e-ticket.

Flights that fall under the piece concept

The table below shows that flight destinations that fall under the piece concept.

	Region	Piece concept applies (PC on your ticket)
	North America	KLM flights to and from Canada, Mexico and the United States.
	Central America	KLM flights and connecting flights to and from Belize, Costa Rica (San Jose), Cuba (Havana), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Santo Domingo), El Salvador (San Salvador), Guatemala (Guatemala), Honduras (Tegucigalpa), Nicaragua (Managua) and Panama (Panama City).
	South America	KLM flights and connecting flights to and from Argentina (Buenos Aires), Bolivia (La Paz), Brazil, Chile (Santiago de Chile), Colombia, Ecuador (Guayaquil, Quito), Paraguay (Asunción), Uruguay (Montevideo) and Venezuela.
	North Africa	KLM flights to and from Egypt.
	East Africa	KLM flights and connecting ‘KL code share’ flights conducted by Kenya Airways, to and from Burundi (Bujumbura), Comoros (Moroni), Congo (Lubumbashi) Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Kenya (Nairobi and Mombassa, Kisangani), Madagascar (Antananarivo), Malawi (Lilongwe), Sudan (Khartoum), Tanzania (Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam), Rwanda (Kigali), Uganda (Entebbe), Zambia (Lusaka) and Zimbabwe (Harare). Air France flights to and from Kinshasa and Brazzaville.
	West Africa	KLM flights and connecting ‘KL code share’ flights conducted by Air France, to and from Benin (Cotonou), Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou), Central African Republic (Bangui), Ivory Coast (Abidjan), Ghana (Accra), Mali (Bamako) and Nigeria (Lagos, Kano and Abuja). Air France flights to and from Djibouti, Dakar, Douala, Yaoundé, Libreville, Lomé and Point Noire.
	Polynesia (Pacific Ocean)	KLM flights and connecting ‘KL code share’ flights conducted by Air France to and from French Polynesia (Papeete)

Extra baggage at a discount

You may take more baggage than the standard amount. Arrange this when you check in online and receive a discount of 20% or more on the excess baggage charge you would normally pay at the airport!

You can arrange to take your extra baggage with you online for both the weight and piece concepts.

If you will be departing from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany (Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt), Hungary, Ireland, Libya, Luxembourg or Peru, you can only arrange your extra baggage at the airport. This means that the discount will not apply.

Discount on taking extra baggage

You can take more baggage with you than the standard amount. At the airport, you will pay an excess baggage fee when checking in your baggage. However, if you arrange this online in advance, we will give you a discount on this fee! When the weight concept applies, you pay 30% less. Under the piece concept, the discount is 20%.
Please note that special arrangements apply for passengers who want to take special baggage with them, like sports equipment or a pet.

Extra baggage fees for the weight concept

Get your journey off to a relaxed start and save money at the same time! Arrange to take your extra baggage with you when checking in online on our website and receive a 30% discount on standard excess baggage fees. You buy extra baggage in units of 5 kg (11 lbs). The standard and discount rates are shown in the table below.

If you will be departing from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany (Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt), Hungary, Ireland, Libya, Luxembourg or Peru, you can arrange your extra baggage at the airport. This means that the discount will not apply.

Excess baggage fees apply to flights operated by KLM, Air France and Kenya Airways. If your flight is operated by another airline, we advise you to check with your travel agent or direct with the airline concerned, as excess baggage charges may differ.

Extra baggage fees for the piece concept

If your e-ticket specifies a number of pieces of baggage, you may take this amount of baggage (a maximum of two pieces) free of charge. You can arrange for excess baggage online, at a 20% discount. Please note:

• If you travel in Economy Class between Europe (including Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and the United States or Canada, you may bring only 1 piece of check-in luggage, of max. 23 kg (50.5 lbs). You can arrange for a second piece for a fee of EUR 50 when departing from Europe. When checking in online via KLM.com, you pay less. All you need is a credit card. Of course, you can also arrange for a second piece at the airport of departure.

• If you depart from Canada or the United States, you can only arrange for extra baggage at the airport. For a second piece you pay USD 50, or CAD 50 when leaving Canada. As a Flying Blue Silver, Gold or Platinum member, you may bring 2 pieces free of charge.

• If you will be departing from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany (Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt), Hungary, Ireland, Libya, Peru or the United States, you can only arrange your extra baggage at the airport at the regular excess baggage fee.

• KLM's excess baggage fees apply to flights operated by KLM, Air France and Kenya Airways, including connecting flights on an aircraft belonging to a different airline. If your flight is operated by another airline, we advise you to check with your travel agent or direct with the airline concerned, as excess baggage charges may differ.

Fee for each piece of baggage over and above the baggage you may take at no extra charge

		Fee for a single ticket
	Extra piece of baggage (all classes)  in addition to the two pieces allowed	EUR 200*
	Different dimensions (all classes) from 158 cm (62 inch) (l + w + h) to 406 cm (160 inches)	EUR 300
	Excess weight (only Economy Class) from 23 kg (50 lbs) to a maximum of 32 kg (70 lbs)	EUR 100**
	Excess weight*** (all classes) from more than 32 kg (70 lbs)	Please contact Air France-KLM Cargo
	*Exceptions: For travel in Economy Class between Europe (including Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and the United States or Canada: you may bring only 1 piece free of charge. For a second piece you pay a fee of EUR 50 (USD 50 when departing the United States , CAD 50 when departing from Canada). For each additional piece, you pay the regular rate. As a Flying Blue Silver, Gold or Platinum member you may bring 2 pieces free of charge. For World Business Class travellers and Flying Blue Silver, Gold or Platinum members: from Canada, a rate of CAD 200 will apply. For flights from Cuba and Mexico, a rate of USD 200 will apply. ** USD 100 when departing from the United States, or CAD 100 when leaving Canada. *** With the exception of musical instruments: these may weigh a maximum of 46 kg (100 lbs).

For flights from other countries, if applicable the amounts in euro will be converted into local currency at the current exchange rate. Where a number of fees apply for a piece of baggage, all of the relevant rates must be added together. However, the total charged for a piece of baggage will never exceed an amount of EUR 500.

Special baggage

Planning on playing golf, cycling, skiing, surfing or diving at your destination? You can of course take your own sports equipment or musical instrument with you. Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Wind, wave or kitesurfing equipment and bodyboards

• Windsurfing equipment may consist of a board, mast, sail and boom

• Kitesurfing equipment may consist of a board and a kite bag

• A wave surfboard with a maximum length of 107 cm (42 inches) comes under the bodyboard category

• The dimensions of surfboards transported aboard a Fokker 50 may not exceed 150 x 50 x 40 cm (59 x 19.5 x 16 inches)

• Surfing equipment heavier than 32 kg (70 lbs) or longer than 290 cm (114 inches) can only be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo.

Regulations for surfing equipment according to the weight concept
Within the total baggage allowance, you may take along one set of surfing equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). We charge a special fixed fee for every additional kilogram of total baggage including surfing equipment over the standard allowance. The same goes for any additional surfing equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). If the additional surfing equipment weighs more than 20 kg the fee doubles.

Regulations for surfing equipment according to the piece concept
We consider a set of surfing equipment of maximum 107 cm in length as a single piece of baggage. This may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). You pay the excess baggage fee if your surf equipment is longer than 107 cm, or if your total amount of baggage is more than the maximum allowance.

Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Excess baggage fees for sports equipment

You can take your sports equipment with you as you would your regular baggage. KLM charge a special fixed rate or the regular excess baggage rate depending on the type of equipment and your destination. Sports equipment means diving, golf, ski and water-ski equipment, wind, wave or kite surfing equipment and bicycles (no tandems).

Economy Class travellers on flights between Europe (including Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and the United States or Canada, may bring only 1 piece of check-in luggage free of charge.

For a second piece, including sports equipment*, can be arranged at a flat fee of EUR 50. The fee is USD 50 when departing from the United States , or CAD 50 when leaving Canada. This second piece may weigh up to 23 kg (50.5 lbs). For an additional piece of luggage, including sport equipment, a flat fee of EUR 200 (USD 200 when departing the United States, CAD 200 when leaving Canada) applies.  

If you wish to bring more than 3 pieces of luggage total, please contact Air France – KLM Cargo.

*An exception applies to surf equipment longer than 107 cm or a scuba tank. Such items of sports equipment can be brought at a fee of EUR 200 (USD 200 or CAD 200  when departing from respectively the United States or Canada).

Bicycles

You can take your bicycle with you in suitable packaging or a bike box. The handlebars should be turned lengthways along the frame, pedals and other protruding parts should be removed, and tyre pressures should be reduced. Special KLM bike boxes are available at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for EUR 20 each (177 x 23 x 102 cm – 69.5 x 9 x 40 inches). The KLM bike box weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs).

Regulations for bicycles according to the weight concept
Within the total baggage allowance, you may take along a bike up to 20 kg (44 lbs). In the case of bikes up to 20 kg you pay no extra as long as your total baggage is within the maximum permitted allowance. For each extra kilogram of baggage, including the bicycle, over 20 kg, or for an extra bike, you pay a special fixed fee. The bike box or other packaging of your bike is included in the total weight. If the extra bike weighs more than 20 kg the fee doubles.

Regulations for bicycles according to the piece concept
A bike counts as a single piece of baggage, for which you pay a special fixed fee if the total baggage is over the permitted allowance. A bike may not weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs). Tandems can only be transported as freight via Air France-KLM Cargo.

Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Diving equipment

A set of equipment may consist of a wetsuit, vest, socks, mask, shoes, flippers, knife and regulator. Diving lamps must be transported as hand baggage, with the bulb and batteries removed. Air cylinders (scuba tanks) must be empty and the valve should be open or removed.

Regulations for diving equipment according to the weight concept
Within the total baggage allowance, you may carry a set of diving equipment including a scuba tank, up to 20 kg (44 lbs). For each kilogram of your total baggage including diving equipment over the permitted amount, or for an extra set of diving equipment up to 20 kg, we charge a special fixed fee. For an extra set of diving equipment heavier than 20 kg the special fixed fee is doubled.

Regulations for diving equipment according to the piece concept
A set of diving equipment (excluding a scuba tank) counts as a single piece of baggage and may not weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs). If you check in a scuba tank or more than the standard allowance, you pay a special fixed fee.

Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Golf bags

On top of the permitted baggage allowance, you may carry one golf bag onto flights operated by KLM or Air France for free. A set of golf equipment may consist of a golf bag with clubs and a pair of golf shoes. 

Regulations for golf bags according to the weight concept
If your golf bag weighs more than 20 kg, or for an extra golf bag, you pay a special fixed fee. For an extra golf bag weighing more than 20 kg the fee is doubled.

Regulations for golf bags according to the piece concept 
A golf bag counts as a single piece of luggage and may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). A special fixed fee applies to extra golf bags.

Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Kayaks and canoes

Kayaks and canoes can only be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo

Skis and snowboards

A set of (water-)ski or snowboard equipment may consist of a board or pair of skis, two ski poles and a pair of ski boots. 

Regulations for skis and snowboards according to the weight concept
Within the standard baggage allowance you may take one set of (water-)ski or snowboard equipment up to 20 kg (44 lbs). If your total baggage including ski or snowboard equipment weighs more than 20 kg, we charge a special fixed fee. For extra ski or snowboard equipment heavier than 20 kg the fee is doubled.

Regulations for skis and snowboards according to the piece concept
A set of ski or snowboard equipment counts as a single piece of baggage, which may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Within the maximum baggage allowance, you may carry one set of (water-)ski or snowboard equipment. If your equipment weighs more, the special fee applies.

Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.

Firearms and ammunition for shooting and hunting sports

Carrying ammunition and firearms in hand baggage is not permitted. You may carry such items for shooting and hunting purposes as check-in baggage under certain strict conditions.

Regulations for ammunition and firearms according to the weight concept
If you wish to take more baggage than the maximum allowance, the regular excess baggage fees apply.

Regulations for ammunition and firearms according to the piece concept
Each weapon counts as a single item of baggage. If you wish to take more baggage than the maximum allowance, the regular excess baggage fees apply.

You must also have the following permits in your possession:

• The licenses for the weapons in question
• Import and export permits for the countries concerned
• The permission of the Dutch Customs service to travel to, from or via the Netherlands

Furthermore, the following rules apply: 

• You must make a reservation for travel with firearms and/or ammunition. This can be done through your travel agent or Telephone Reservations.

• The firearms must be unloaded and safely packed in a suitcase or other case. The cartridges must be packed safely, preferably in a suitcase.

• Sports and hunting rifles must be transported separately from the ammunition.

• Ammunition may only be intended for shooting sport and a maximum of 5 kg (11 lbs) of ammunition may be carried per passenger.

• Firearms and ammunition are not permitted on flights on Fokker 50 aircraft or smaller aircraft.

• Baggage containing ammunition may not carry labels with the text ‘explosives’.

• Transporting ammunition with explosive or flammable projectiles is not permitted.

• When you check in you should declare that your weapon is unloaded and the ammunition has been packed separately.

Other sports equipment:

Other sports equipment which comes under the maximum permitted dimensions and weights for baggage are transported without additional costs. In the case of excess weight, the standard excess baggage fee for baggage applies under the weight concept and the piece concept.

When transporting sports equipment of unusual size or weight you should make a reservation by telephone.

Musical instruments

You can bring your musical instrument in one of four ways:

1. As hold baggage
   Your musical instrument must be packed in a hard case. We are not liable for damage if your instrument is not properly packed. The standard excess baggage fees apply if your total baggage including instrument and packaging exceed the maximum free allowance.
   
   If your baggage comes under the piece concept, a musical instrument with a length of up to 100 cm ( 39 inches) can be transported as a single item of baggage. If your instrument with packaging is larger than 203 cm (80 inches) (l + w + h), or is heavier than 32 kg (70 lbs), then you should request permission.

2. As hand baggage
   You can carry a musical instrument instead of a piece of hand baggage if it fits in the overhead baggage compartment or under your seat.

3. On an extra seat
   Larger instruments which do not fit in the overhead baggage compartment or under the seat can be taken into the cabin to be transported on a seat booked in advance. This is only possible if your instrument is not longer than 140 cm (55 inches) and does not weigh more than 46 kg (100 lbs). You can only book an extra seat by telephone or via your travel agent.

4. As freight
   If your musical instrument weighs in excess of 46 kilograms (100 lbs) or is larger than 406 cm (160 inches) (l + w + h) you may only transport your instrument as freight using Air France-KLM Cargo.

Arrange extra baggage when checking in online

You can check in via our website from 30 hours before your flight leaves. Log in with your surname and booking code and state that you want to take extra baggage. Payment will only be possible with your credit card.  

Extra baggage can be arranged online for flights that are operated by KLM, even if you then transfer to a flight operated by Air France. 

If you leave from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Germany (Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt), Ecuador, France, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Libya, Mexico, Peru or the Czech Republic, you can arrange to take your extra baggage with you at the airport, not on our website.

Refund of extra baggage allowance bought in advance

The extra baggage allowance bought in advance (possibly with a discount) cannot be transferred to any other passenger.

If you have bought an extra baggage allowance in advance, but then decide not to take any extra baggage with you, the amount paid by you will not be refunded. The same applies if you only use part of the extra baggage allowance bought.

However, you can ask for a refund if:

• Your reservation was switched to a flight that was not operated by KLM.

• Your baggage has been lost and cannot be recovered (this does not apply for delayed baggage).

Travel to and from the United States or Canada

For passengers travelling to and from the United States, special rules apply, and these include your baggage. If you travel in Economy Class between Europe (including Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and the United States or Canada, you may bring only 1 piece of check-in luggage, of max. 23 kg (50.5 lbs).

You can arrange for a second piece for a fee of EUR 50 when departing from Europe. If you check in online via KLM.com, you get a 20% discount on the excess baggage fee: all you need is a credit card. Of course, you can also arrange for a second piece at the airport of departure.

If you depart from Canada or the United States, you can only arrange for your excess baggage at the airport. For a second piece of check-in luggage you pay USD 50, or CAD 50 when leaving Canada.

As a Flying Blue Silver, Gold or Platinum member, you may bring 2 pieces free of charge.
You may not lock your bags as the US authorities will check baggage for explosives.

Are you travelling to the United States and then transferring to a domestic flight or a flight to Canada? In that case, you must always collect your baggage when transferring flights and check it in again at a baggage drop-off point.

Baggage for children younger than 2 years

You may take the following amount of baggage for a child younger than 2 years who does not have a booked seat:

• One piece of check-in baggage not exceeding 10 kg (22 lbs).

• A fully collapsible stroller or pram. You may check this in free of charge as check-in baggage. A very small stroller may be carried as cabin baggage if space permits.

• One piece of hand baggage not exceeding 10 kg (22 lbs) and no larger than 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 10 inches).

If you have booked a seat for your child, you may take your own car/child seat on board. This seat must fit between the armrests of the aircraft seat and not exceed a width of 42 cm (16.5 inches). Only car/child seats that display no defects and bear a visible seal of approval awarded by the European Union or any other official government agency may be used on board.

Official seals of approval:

• UN Standard ECE R44-03 and 44-04
• US FMVSS no. 213
• Canadian CMVSS 213/123.1
• German TÜV/958-01/2001
• Types approved by Transport Canada
• Types approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Types approved by the Joint Civil Aviation Authority (JAA)

Advance reservation is required if you wish to bring a car/child seat on board or require a seat for a second baby.

Special baggage

Under the weight concept, in addition to the standard baggage allowance you may take one golf bag not exceeding 20 kg (44 lbs) per person free of charge. As part of your standard amount of baggage you may take diving equipment, a pair of skis or water-skis, a snowboard or bicycle not exceeding 20 kg (44 lbs).  

If the piece concept applies to your baggage, as part of your standard amount of baggage you may take diving equipment, a pair of skis or water-skis or a snowboard, a bicycle or a golf bag not exceeding 23 kg (50.5 lbs). 

You may also take special items of baggage with you, such as sports equipment, musical instruments and pets. 

There are some items and substances that may not be carried in your check-in baggage or hand baggage. Firearms, pointed, edged or blunt items and explosive, flammable, chemical and toxic substances are prohibited. Special rules also apply to liquids carried in your hand baggage. 

Special facilities and assistance are available for physically challenged passengers. These include taking the passenger’s own wheelchair on board.   

Flying Blue members

As a Flying Blue Silver, Gold or Platinum member of KLM you can bring more. If your ticket is issued per 28th March, you may check in an extra piece of baggage (of max. 23 kg) at no additional charge.

Travellers in World Business Class or Europe Select may even bring 3 pieces (of max 23 kg each).

Extra baggage: arrange it online

Regardless of when your ticket was issued, you can bring extra pieces of luggage (or extra weight) on top of your free allowance, at an additional fee.

You can conveniently arrange for extra baggage when checking in online*. We’ll then give you a discount of 20-30% on the excess baggage fee you would pay at the airport. All you need is a credit card.

*If you depart from Australia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany (Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt), Hungary, Ireland or Peru, you can only arrange your extra baggage at the airport. This means that the discount does not apply.

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