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Like most major carriers in Europe, KLM has pretty straightforward hand luggage rules: passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage and a personal item. However, it has a lower weight allowance than several other airlines: just 12 kg. Here’s everything you need to know about KLM’s hand luggage size to make your trip smoother.
KLM hand luggage size: The basics
Like its partner airline, Air France, KLM refers to hand luggage (or more specifically, a cabin bag) as ‘hand baggage’. A personal item, meanwhile, is called an ‘accessory’, while checked bags are called ‘hold luggage’.
All Economy passengers are allowed one piece of hand baggage and one accessory. Passengers travelling in Premium and Business cabins are allowed two hand baggage items and one accessory.
The combined weight of hand baggage and an accessory is 12 kg. This is lower than some other major airlines, including British Airways, and it may come as a surprise to passengers who don’t fly often on KLM.
What is KLM’s hand luggage size in inches?
KLM hand luggage size and rules for travelling with infants
Fortunately, KLM has fairly generous hand luggage policies for parents or caregivers travelling with little ones. But it’s still helpful to familiarise yourself with the rules ahead of time.
For children sitting on your lap without their own seat (which is allowed until they are two years old), you may bring one piece of hand baggage. That item must have a maximum weight of 12 kg and measure no more than 21.65 x 13.78 x 9.84 in (55 x 35 x 25 cm). A pram/pushchair will count towards this allowance; see below for more info.
However, you can also check a pram/pushchair and a car seat as hold luggage for no extra charge. This is a nice offering for parents who want to use these items during their trip but don’t need them during the journey itself.
If your child has their own seat, they have the same hand luggage allowances as adult passengers, depending on the ticket fare category.
Are prams/pushchairs allowed as hand luggage on KLM?
Prams or pushchairs – which KLM refer to as ‘buggies’ – are accepted as hand luggage and may be allowed depending on space availability and the aircraft. However, the pram/pushchair must be collapsible and dimensions cannot exceed 6 x 12 x 39 in (15 x 30 x 100 cm).
If the pram/pushchair will not fit under the seat or in the overhead lockers, you can check it in at no extra cost. Depending on the airport, you can also use the pram/pushchair all the way to the departure gate, at which point you can check it in.
If you’re travelling on a KLM partner to the UK (such as Virgin Atlantic) after connecting from a KLM flight elsewhere (in Paris, for example), the airlines’ differing hand luggage policies can be confusing. While KLM has a weight limit of 12 kg, Virgin Atlantic has an even tighter limit of 10 kg for Economy and Premium passengers.
This means that your hand luggage might be fine for the KLM leg, but overweight for the Virgin one. It may not be an issue, but this rule offers an incentive to pack light.
What extra items can you bring on board KLM flights?
KLM allows passengers to bring extra items on board that do not count towards the hand luggage allowance. The following items are neither considered an accessory nor hand baggage:
- A jacket, coat, or other clothing item you may be wearing
- Neck pillows
- Duty-free items purchased at the airport
- Children’s items such as prams/pushchairs
However, it’s important not to abuse these allowances. Passengers carrying all of the above in addition to their two allowed items will likely need to repack to meet the requirements – and may even be required to check in a bag at the gate.
Hand luggage rules for musical instruments on KLM
Musical instruments smaller than 45 in (115 cm) in total dimensions are considered a standard hand luggage item and are included in your baggage allowance. However, keep in mind that your only other allowed item will be a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
Instruments larger than the above dimensions require approval from KLM at least 48 hours prior to your flight’s departure. In this case, instruments will be placed not in overhead lockers but on one or more additional seats (the fare for which the passenger is required to pay).
If you’re travelling with an instrument larger than those dimensions as hand luggage, it’s highly recommended to contact KLM’s customer service centre in advance of your flight to make sure you follow the rules.
KLM hand luggage FAQs
Still have questions about KLM’s hand luggage size or other concerns? Find all the answers you need below.
It depends on several factors: how full the flight is, the discretion of gate staff, and a passenger’s status with the airline. Some passengers have experienced their hand luggage being weighed, while others have never had an issue.
As a result, it’s highly recommended for passengers to be familiar with the rules – and understand the risks (a fee to check in an oversized or overweight bag) if you’re tempted to bring on more than the allowance.
Yes, assuming that both fall within the KLM hand luggage size dimensions.
Top three KLM hand luggage tips
from Blane Bachelor, travel expert
Tip #1: KLM may require you to check in your hand luggage
I’m based in Amsterdam, and I fly with KLM fairly regularly. I’ve never been asked to weigh my hand luggage. However, I was required to check in my suitcase (intended as hand luggage) – even with an Economy Comfort seat – before I could receive my boarding pass.
Even more frustrating: when I boarded, all of the overhead lockers in my row were empty. The bottom line: despite your best efforts to avoid checking in a bag, the airline might have other ideas.
Tip #2: Economy Light passengers may have to check in their hand luggage
Anyone ticketed on KLM’s lowest fare category – Economy Light – is allowed two hand luggage items (i.e., hand baggage and an accessory). However, if the flight is full, these passengers’ bags will be the first to be checked in as hold luggage.
For this reason, KLM asks Economy Light passengers to keep an eye on their mobile phones, in case the airline sends them a text message with this update.
Tip #3: KLM’s hand luggage weight limit is lower than that of some other airlines
British Airways, for example, has a higher weight allowance for hand luggage than KLM. So for international connections, this difference can be tricky to navigate. If possible, I recommend sticking to the lower KLM allowance (12 kg for both hand luggage items – hand baggage plus accessory), to avoid any issues during your trip.
Still have questions about KLM’s hand luggage size?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare hand luggage rules across airlines, check out our useful guide. Or perhaps you’re stuck on what to pack
? We have plenty of handy tips for that, too. Finally, don’t forget to check what’s allowed in your hand luggage before you head to the airport.
Last update: March 21, 2025 – because staying informed makes travel smoother.
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