Traveling with babies and children
Baggage for kids
How many bags can you bring for your child? It depends on the ticket type and whether your child has their own seat on board.
Here's an overview of our baggage allowance for children:
| Hand baggage for children | Checked baggage for children | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 23-months-olds on a parent's lap | 1 item of max 55 x 35 x 25 cm and max 12 kg + baby food to be consumed during the flight. | Basic or Light ticket: no checked bags included. Other ticket types: 1 checked bag of max 10 kg. |
| 0 to 23-months-olds with their own seat | The amount of hand baggage included in their ticket type. | The number of checked bags included in their ticket type. |
| Child ticket (includes a seat) | The amount of hand baggage included in their ticket type. | The number of checked bags included in their ticket type. |
Special baggage for kids
In addition to your kids' items, you can bring extra items. You may need to make a reservation, so please check the requirements for your items.
You can bring 1 buggy, stroller, or back carrier for each child free of charge.
Large buggies, strollers, and back carriers
These buggies, strollers, and back carriers must be checked in at the check-in desk:
- Buggies and strollers larger than 15 x 30 x 100 cm
- Buggies and strollers larger than the maximum hand baggage size (55 x 35 x 25 cm)
- Buggies and strollers that are heavier than 10 kg
- Back carriers of any size or weight
Tip: Bring a baby carrier or sling to carry your baby comfortably at the airport.
Small, collapsible buggies and strollers
You can take your buggy or stroller to the gate if it's:
- Fully collapsible
- No larger than 15 x 30 x 100 cm
- No larger than the maximum hand baggage size (55 x 35 x 25 cm when folded)
- No heavier than 10 kg
Buggies and strollers on KLM flights
If there's enough space, you can take your buggy or stroller into the cabin. If the stroller doesn't fit under the seat or in the overhead baggage bin, it will be placed it in the hold at the gate. Please note that back carriers must always be checked in.
Collecting your buggy, stroller, or back carrier upon arrival for KLM flights
If your buggy or stroller was checked in, you can collect it at the baggage belt. You can also collect your back carrier — which must always be checked in — at the baggage belt.
Depending on the airport, you may collect your buggy, stroller, or back carrier at the odd-size baggage belt. Please follow the signs to the odd-size baggage belt , or ask an agent for directions.
Buggies and strollers on KLM Cityhopper flights
Because space on board is limited, your buggy or stroller will always be placed in the hold at the gate.
Please note that back carriers must always be checked in.
Collecting your buggy, stroller, or back carrier upon arrival for KLM Cityhopper flights Depending on your destination, your buggy or stroller may be handed to you immediately after you exit the airplane. If not, you can collect your buggy or stroller at the baggage belt. There, you can also collect your back carrier — which must always be checked in.
For each child, you can bring a car seat or Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) free of charge.
Booster seats are not allowed on our flights.
Bringing your car seat on board
For one child up to 2 years old
If you're traveling with one child aged 2 or younger, they can sit on your lap during taxiing, take-off, and landing. That way, you won't have to bring a car seat or CARES.
For multiple children up to 2 years old
Traveling with 2 or more children up to 2 years old? One child can sit on your lap during taxiing, take-off, and landing. If there are no more adults in your booking who can have a child sit on their lap, the other child(ren) must sit in their own seat(s). You must then bring a car seat or CARES for them.
Contact us to make a reservation for your car seat or CARES
Because seating options for car seats or CARES are limited, you'll need to make a reservation for these items. You can do so by contacting us — the earlier, the better! You can make a reservation up to 48 hours before departure.
Car seat requirements
The car seat must:
- Not show any defects.
- Be owned by the accompanying adult.
- Be visibly certified for air transport.
- Have a manual showing compatibility with the aircraft's two-point seat belt.
- Fit between the armrests of the airplane seat, which is 42 cm wide.
The child using the car seat must:
- Have their own seat. If they don't, the car seat must be checked in.
- Sot next to their accompanying adult, at a window seat in outer rows or a middle seat in center rows, near a cabin door.
Boeing 787 Business Class: no car seats allowed
Please note car seats are not allowed in Business Class on Boeing 787 airplanes.
Securing your car seat on board
When you're securing your child's car seat, please follow the manufacturer's manual. During takeoff and landing, you can secure it in a rear-facing position. When the fasten-seatbelt sign is off, you must place the car seat facing forward. That way, the seat in front of it can recline.
Checking in your car seat?
If you're checking in your child's car seat, these requirements do not apply.
If you book a seat for your child, you can bring an inflight bed or leg-rest extension. You won't need to make a reservation.
Safety
For your child’s safety, please make sure their head is pointing towards the airplane's tail. That way, they can use the safety belt properly. Do not directly attach your inflight bed or leg-rest extension to the seat. Finally, you cannot use an inflight bed or leg-rest extension during takeoff and landing.
Preparing for travel with children
Ticket options for kids
Traveling with your child? Find out which ticket option is available for your little one, depending on their age.
Children traveling alone
You need the Unaccompanied Minor service for children between 5 and 14 years old who are traveling alone.
Travel documents for kids
On some journeys, you may need to bring additional travel documents and parental consent for your children.
Kids’ seats and bassinets
With our baby ticket, babies aged 0 to 23 months can travel on their parents’ lap. You can also contact us to book a seat for your baby. Our child ticket for children 2 years and older includes a seat.
How to select seats for your family
Before check-in
We recommend bringing a car seat or CARES for each child with a booked seat.
Booking a bassinet for your baby
Are you flying intercontinentally with your baby? A bassinet might be a comfortable option for your little one and you.
You can reserve a bassinet if, on the day of the flight:
- Your baby is under 1 year old, and
- Your baby weighs less than 10 kg, and
- Your baby is less than 65 cm tall.
How to book a bassinet
Contact the KLM Customer Contact Center to book a bassinet. We'll then do our best to arrange one for you, although there are no guarantees until you board. The sooner you reach out to us, the better the chances are!
Meals for children
Dinner on Intercontinental KLM flights will be a real treat for kids aged 2 years and up! Order a child's meal at least 24 hours before departure to ensure they get something delicious to eat.
The menu varies per flight but often includes a mini hamburger and fries.
Thirsty?
At any moment during the flight, feel free to ask us for an extra fruit juice, soft drink, or glass of water for your kids.
Baby food
Entertainment
Bluey, your child’s travel buddy
Have you met our mascot, Bluey? All children over 2 years old get a Bluey-themed surprise: a Bluey activity book on European KLM flights, a complete Bluey play set, and an eye mask on intercontinental KLM flights.
Tip: online family check-in
Want to be off to a flying start? Check in the whole family online before leaving home. This will make your journey more comfortable, especially during busy school holidays. You can check in online as early as 30 hours before your flight’s departure. Traveling to or from the United States? You can check in 24 hours before departure.