Klm Airlines: Understanding The Pet Travel Policies

what are the pet travel policies on klm airlines

KLM Airlines is known for its pet-friendly approach to air travel, offering a range of options for passengers travelling with pets. The airline permits cats and dogs to travel in the cabin or cargo hold, with specific requirements for pet carriers and reservations. Small cats and dogs (up to 8 kg including their carrier) are allowed in the cabin, provided they meet weight and species criteria. Larger pets or other animals can travel in the air-conditioned cargo hold as Accompanied luggage, with the combined weight of the pet and carrier not exceeding 75 kg.

Characteristics Values
Airlines KLM Airlines
Pets allowed Cats and dogs
Pet weight limit 8 kg or 18 lbs (including carrier)
Pet carrier type Hard-shelled kennel or soft-sided, expandable animal travel bag
Pet carrier maximum dimensions 46 x 28 x 24 cm
Pet carrier weight limit 75 kg or 165 lbs (combined weight of pet and carrier)
Pet carrier requirements Waterproof bottom, room for pet to stand and turn around, secure fastening, adequate ventilation, and a water dish
Booking method Telephone reservations line, at least 48 hours in advance
Fees EUR 75 to EUR 400 per one-way
Unaccompanied pets Possible through Air France-KLM Cargo, requiring a cargo account
Unaccompanied pet pricing Based on dimensional or volume weight, fuel surcharges, and other fees

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Pets in the cabin

KLM Airlines is known for its pet-friendly approach to air travel. The airline allows small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin with passengers, provided they meet certain requirements.

Firstly, only cats and dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin, and they must weigh less than 8 kg, including their carrier. This is to ensure the animal can fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of you. The carrier itself must not exceed dimensions of 46 x 28 x 24 cm and must be either a hard-shelled kennel no taller than 20 cm or a soft-sided, expandable animal travel bag with a maximum size of 115 cm in total length, width and height. Your pet should be able to stand and turn around inside the carrier, and it must fasten securely and have adequate ventilation.

Additionally, you must notify KLM that you are travelling with a pet, and a reservation is required at least 48 hours in advance. Only a limited number of pets are allowed in the cabin on any given flight, so it is important to book as soon as possible.

It is also important to note that pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to the UK, Hong Kong, Dubai or Australia. Furthermore, if you are flying Premium Comfort Class or Business Class on an intercontinental route, your pet will not be allowed in the cabin due to space restrictions.

KLM also has specific guidelines for service and emotional support dogs travelling in the cabin. These animals must be well-trained, and advance notice of at least 48 hours is required for emotional support animals, with the necessary forms submitted to KLM Cares prior to travel.

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Pets in the cargo hold

KLM Airlines is known for its pet-friendly approach to air travel. If your pet is too large to travel in the cabin, it can travel in the air-conditioned cargo hold as "Accompanied luggage". The combined weight of your pet and kennel must not exceed 75 kg (165 lbs).

To prepare your pet for travel in the cargo hold, you must use an IATA-approved hard-shelled pet travel crate with a water dish. The kennel must be made of rigid plastic or fibreglass, with wheels removed or secured with duct tape. The door must have a centralised locking system that fastens both locks on the top and bottom. The top and bottom must be secured by bolts, and cable ties must be provided for the crate doors. You must have two empty containers for food/water which must be sealed or attached to the kennel and fillable from the outside. You can provide an absorbent pad such as a crate pad, thin blanket, or pee pad on the bottom of the kennel. Straw is not allowed.

Make a reservation for your pet travelling in the hold as soon as possible after booking your flight. To make a reservation, use the KLM website or reach out to the KLM Customer Contact Centre. It is not possible to bring your pet in the hold if you have a transfer time of more than three hours. An exception is made for travel via Paris, where you can bring a pet in the hold if you have at least 4.5 hours of transfer time.

Pets cannot travel in the hold of KLM flights with Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft. Additionally, a pet cannot travel in the hold on KLM Cityhopper flights to or from Palma de Mallorca (PMI) or on flights departing from Amsterdam, due to heating issues.

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Pet eligibility

When it comes to pet eligibility, KLM Airlines is quite flexible, allowing cats and dogs to travel in the cabin or hold. However, there are specific requirements that your pet must meet to be eligible for travel.

Firstly, your pet must be either a cat or a dog to be eligible for travel on KLM Airlines. Additionally, your pet's weight, including their carrier, should not exceed 8 kg for cabin travel. This weight limit is crucial in ensuring your pet's comfort and safety during the flight. If your pet exceeds the weight limit, it can still travel in the cargo hold as "Accompanied luggage," but the combined weight of your pet and its kennel must not exceed 75 kg.

Age is another important factor in determining pet eligibility. For KLM flights, your cat or dog should be at least 15 weeks old. However, the minimum age requirement may vary depending on the destination country's regulations. For instance, for flights between France and French Guiana, your pet must be at least 15 weeks old, while for domestic in-cabin flights, the minimum age is 8 weeks.

The size of your pet is also a determining factor for eligibility. If your pet is too large to fit under the seat in the cabin, it may need to travel as checked baggage in the hold or as cargo. To ensure your pet's comfort, it is essential to select an appropriately sized carrier or kennel. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

It is worth noting that some dog and cat breeds are not permitted to travel on KLM Airlines due to health and safety concerns. The airline has restrictions on snub-nosed breeds, as these pets may have breathing difficulties during the flight. The banned dog breeds include Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxers (all breeds), Bulldogs (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Pugs (all breeds), Chow-Chow, Great Dane (all breeds), certain breeds of Spaniel (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Small Brabant, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The banned cat breeds include Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian.

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Travel crates

When travelling with your pet, it's important to ensure they are comfortable and safe. KLM Airlines provides options for pets to travel in the cabin or in the cargo hold. Here are some key things to keep in mind regarding travel crates:

Travel Crate Requirements:

  • IATA-approved crate: When your pet travels in the cargo hold or as cargo, their crate must meet the standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
  • Hard-shelled crate: KLM requires pets travelling in the cargo hold or as cargo to be in a hard-shelled crate made of hard plastic. Crates made of wood are not allowed.
  • Metal door and ventilation: The crate must have a built-in metal door with adequate ventilation.
  • Water dish: KLM mandates that travel crates for pets travelling in the cargo hold or as cargo must be equipped with a water dish attached to the inside of the crate door.
  • Padding: The floor of the crate should be lined with a pet pad, a blanket, or shredded newspaper for your pet's comfort.
  • Fastening: Metal hardware must be used to securely fasten the top and bottom halves of the crate together. Cable ties are required for the crate doors and are available in KLM's accessory kits.
  • Size restrictions: The size of the crate depends on the type of aircraft. For KLM flights, the maximum dimensions are 122 x 81 x 89 cm, while for KLM Cityhopper flights, the maximum dimensions are 102 x 69 x 76 cm.
  • Weight restrictions: The combined weight of your pet and the crate must not exceed 75 kg for KLM flights.
  • Multiple pets: If you are travelling with multiple pets, each pet must have its own crate unless they meet the requirements to share. Two cats or dogs of similar size, each weighing no more than 14 kg, may share a crate. The same applies to three animals from the same litter, up to 6 months old, with a maximum weight of 14 kg each.

In-Cabin Carrier Requirements:

  • Hard-shelled or soft-sided carrier: For pets travelling in the cabin, a hard-shelled kennel no taller than 20 cm or a soft-sided, expandable travel bag with a maximum linear size of 115 cm is allowed.
  • Weight restrictions: The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kg for in-cabin travel.
  • Carrier dimensions: When travelling in the cabin, your pet's carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. On KLM flights, the maximum carrier dimensions are 46 x 28 x 24 cm.
  • Waterproof bottom: The carrier must have a waterproof bottom, adequate ventilation, and enough space for your pet to stand up and turn around.
  • Fastening: The carrier must fasten securely and should be closed during the flight.

Remember to always review the guidelines and select an appropriate travel crate or carrier for your pet's comfort and safety.

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Unaccompanied pets

KLM Airlines is known for its pet-friendly approach to air travel, offering options for pets to travel in the cabin or cargo hold. However, there are specific policies and requirements for unaccompanied pets travelling as cargo.

Eligibility

Booking and Pricing

To book an unaccompanied pet for travel via Air France-KLM Cargo, you will need to create a cargo account. Pricing is determined by dimensional or volume weight, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. It is recommended to contact PetRelocation for a quote and consultation.

Health and Safety Requirements

To ensure the safety and well-being of your pet during cargo transport, there are specific requirements for travel crates. The crate must be an IATA-approved (International Air Transport Association) hard-shelled pet travel crate with a water dish attached to the inside of the crate door. It is essential to review the guidelines for selecting the appropriate travel crate for your pet.

Documentation

When shipping your pet as cargo, you must ensure that all necessary documentation is in order. This includes a health certificate issued within a specified timeframe, proof of rabies vaccination, and any other forms required by your destination country. These documents should be attached to your pet's travel crate.

Recommendations

KLM advises pet owners to consider using a pet transporter service when shipping their pets as cargo. KLM has a partnership with Air France for cargo freight services, providing a reliable option for pet transportation.

Frequently asked questions

KLM Airlines is considered a pet-friendly airline. It allows cats and dogs to travel in the cabin or hold of the aircraft. The airline also transports pets as cargo.

KLM Airlines has specific requirements for pets travelling in the cabin, hold, or cargo. These include weight, carrier, and breed restrictions.

For more information, refer to the KLM Airlines website.

For pets travelling in the cabin, the combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kg. The carrier must be a hard-shelled kennel no taller than 20 cm or a soft-sided, expandable animal travel bag with a maximum size of 46 x 28 x 24 cm.

Reservations for pets travelling in the cabin must be made at least 48 hours in advance, with a limited number of pets allowed in the cabin on any given flight.

For pets travelling in the hold, the combined weight of the pet and kennel must not exceed 75 kg. The kennel must be made of rigid plastic or fibreglass, with the wheels removed or secured with duct tape. The kennel must have a centralised locking system and be bolted together.

Reservations for pets travelling in the hold must also be made at least 48 hours in advance.

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