KLM allows most passengers to bring a cabin bag and a personal item onboard, but size and weight limits vary by fare and cabin class. Here’s how to avoid surprises at the gate.
- Hand luggage: 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 21.5 x 13.5 x 10 in (handles and wheels included)
- Small bag: 40 x 30 x 15 cm / 15.75 x 11.81 x 5.91 in (must fit under the seat)
- Heads up: Economy Basic passengers are limited to the small bag only – no overhead cabin bag included
- Pro tip: If you’re on a short-haul or full flight, keep essentials in your small bag in case KLM gate-checks your hand luggage for free.
In this article
- KLM cabin bag size policy.
- Air France hand luggage rules for travelling with infants.
- What extra items can you bring on board KLM flights?
- KLM hand luggage FAQs
- Top three KLM hand luggage tips
KLM cabin bag size policy.
Most Economy passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage and one small bag.
Passengers travelling in Premium and Business cabins are allowed two hand luggage items and one small bag. The combined weight of hand baggage and a small bag is 12 kg (26.5) lbs in Premium and 18 kg (39.7 lbs) in Business.
KLM cabin bag allowance by fare type.
- Economy Basic: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) that must fit under the seat in front of you. A cabin bag is not included but can be purchased separately.
- Economy Light, Standard and Flex: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and 1 cabin bag (55 x 35 x 25 cm). The combined weight limit is 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
- Premium Comfort: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and 2 cabin bags (55 x 35 x 25 cm each). The combined weight limit is 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
- Business Class: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and 2 cabin bags (55 x 35 x 25 cm each). The combined weight limit is 18 kg (40 lbs).
Flying with a partner airline.
If your itinerary includes both KLM and another carrier, such as Delta, be aware that cabin bag rules may differ between flights.
For example, Delta does not publish a cabin bag weight limit, while KLM limits most Economy passengers to a combined Cabin baggage weight of 12 kg (26.5 lbs). As a result, a bag that meets the requirements for one flight may exceed the allowance on another.
Air France hand luggage rules for travelling with infants.
KLM offers additional baggage allowances for families travelling with young children.
If you’re travelling with an infant under 2 years old who does not have their own seat, you can bring 1 cabin bag weighing up to 12 kg (26.5 lbs) and measuring no more than 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in).
You may also bring baby food needed during the flight. In addition, KLM allows parents to check 1 push chair and 1 car seat free of charge.
Children travelling in their own seat receive the standard baggage allowance included with their ticket fare.
Are prams/pushchairs allowed as hand luggage on KLM?
KLM allows buggies onboard, subject to space availability and aircraft type.
Strollers must not exceed 15 x 30 x 100 cm (6 x 12 x 39 in) when folded. If there isn’t enough space in the Cabin, you can check your stroller free of charge. At many airports, you can also use it up to the departure gate before gate-checking it.
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 a personal item nor hand luggage:
- 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 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.
Musical instruments
Musical instruments that fit within KLM’s standard hand baggage dimensions are considered a standard hand baggage 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 can only be accepted on an extra seat or in the hold. 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 easyJet cabin bag size or other concerns? Find all the answers you need below.
KLM refers to personal items as small bags. These must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.75 x 11.81 x 5.91 in) and under the seat in front of you. Examples include a handbag, laptop bag, small backpack or tote bag.
It depends on several factors: how full the flight is, the discretion of staff at the gate, 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. You can bring both a backpack and a handbag if one qualifies as your hand baggage and the other qualifies as your small bag.
Your hand baggage must not exceed 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.5 x 13.8 x 9.8 in), while your small bag must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.75 x 11.81 x 5.91 in) and under the seat in front of you.
For most Economy fares, both items count toward KLM’s 12 kg (26.5 lbs) combined Cabin baggage weight limit.
Generally, no. If KLM asks you to check your carry-on at the gate because overhead locker space is limited, there is typically no charge.
To avoid inconvenience, keep medications, electronics, travel documents and other valuables in your small bag under the seat in front of you, as checked bags may not be accessible during the flight.
Top three KLM hand luggage tips
from travel expert Blane Bachelor
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.
2. Economy Light passengers may have to check in their cabin bag.
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.
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 (26.5 kg for both hand luggage items), 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 carry-on luggage guide.
The post KLM cabin bag size: Everything you need to know. appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
