We only use certain airlines due to their continued commitment to keeping our animals safe during transportation. We are able to plan trips according to our knowledge of their fleet, route maps, pet policy and, documentation needed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most airlines have stopped supporting animal transport, therefore, we continue to provide the highest quality flights for you prized pets!
Pets in the cabin
You can take a small cat or dog with you into the Economy Class cabin of most KLM flights, and in Business Class on most KLM flights within Europe. Make sure to meet these requirements:
- Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old.
- Your pet must travel in a suitable pet travel bag of max. 46 x 28 x 24 cm (L x W x H). Your pet must be able to stand up and lay down comfortably.
- Total weight of your pet and travel bag or kennel combined may be max. 8 kg (18 lbs).
- The kennel must be put under the seat in front of you (therefore exit rows are excluded). It is not allowed to take your pet out of the travel bag or kennel during the flight.
Please note that we have room for a limited number of kennels in the cabin. Unfortunately, it is not possible to bring a pet in the cabin in Business Class on intercontinental KLM flights, because there is no space for your pet under the seat in front of you.
Pets in the hold
Your cat or dog may travel in a ventilated part of the hold on most KLM flights.* Make sure to meet these requirements:
- Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old.
- Your pet must travel in a kennel that complies with the IATA rules (for example those of the “Sky” and “Vari” brands). See below for precise rules for your pet’s kennel.
- Total weight of your pet and kennel combined may be max. 75 kg (165 lbs).
- 2 adult animals of comparable size that are compatible, up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each, can travel together in 1 kennel. This also goes for 3 animals up to 6 months old from the same litter, up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each.
* Your pet cannot travel in the hold of our Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 787-10 aircraft. During winter, your pet may not travel in the hold on KLM Cityhopper flights (Embraer 175 and Embraer 190) of 2 hours or more.
Please note that during the flight, we are not able to give pets travelling in the hold any food or water.
Snub-nosed animals such as boxers, Pekinese and Persian cats can have trouble breathing during the flight, due to high temperatures and stress. To ensure their well-being, most snub-nosed animals may not be transported in the hold. However, they may be transported in the cabin or as cargo. English and French bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs may only be transported in the cabin.
If you carry an animal in cabin or in the baggage hold, remember it should have:
- up-to-date vaccination records (against rabies),
- up-to-date veterinary health certificates, (clinical examination, deworming, deticking) taking into account the regulations of the country of departure, the country of destination and any transit airports (issued max. 48 hours before departure)*,
- special passport (issued by a vet) with description of color, race and sex of the animal together with a microchip number or tattoo,
- microchip implant,
- suitable container.
It is only allowed to carry animals at age of minimum 3 months and when at least 21 days passed since the last important vaccination against rabies.NOTE! In case of carriage of animals to the United States of America a 30 day-long quarantine since the last vaccination against rabies is required.
Pets in the cabin
During the whole journey the cabin your pet must be transported in a special container (travel bag or kennel) appropriate to its weight and size*. The total weight of pet and travel bag or kennel cannot exceed 8 kg.
Pets in the baggage hold
If you carry a pet as checked baggage make sure it has comfortable conditions. The container should comply with the requirements of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations.
Remember that the pet container have to be:
- large enough in order to allow the animal to move freely and be able to stand, turn and lie down,
- clean, tight and securely closed and the bottom has to be lined with absorbent from inside,
- labelled with a relevant sticker and appropriate instructions (concerning the way of handling the animal),
- equipped with a water and feed container,
- ventilated on at least three sides,
- made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood, without any wheels attached (if they are, please remove them while check-in),
- NOTE! Containers cannot be made entirely of welded mesh or wire mesh. Such containers are not suitable for air transport.
Documentation
- There are various state and country entry rules for animals, and it’s up to you to know what they are and to comply with them.
- If you’re traveling within the continental U.S., we require you to bring a health certificate (talk to your veterinarian) and proof of your pet’s latest rabies vaccine. You cannot travel within 30 days of your pet’s rabies vaccination.
- If you’re traveling to Hawaii or internationally, please see the “Hawaii and international travel” section below. And if you’re traveling to the U.S. from another country, please see the “Health declarations and vaccination requirements for dogs and cats entering the U.S.” section below.
Requirements for in-cabin pets
- Puppies and kittens must be at least four months (16 weeks) old.
- Pets can’t travel with unaccompanied minors.
- Your pet must also always remain in the floor space under the seat.
- If your pet doesn’t fit in a kennel, then they’ll need to travel in the hold.
- Pets must travel on the same flights as the traveler responsible for them.
- If there’s an emergency, oxygen service won’t be available for pets.
Carriers and kennels
A pet traveling in cabin must be carried in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of you and remain there at all times. The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm). The recommended maximum dimensions for soft-sided kennels are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Soft-sided pet carriers can exceed these dimensions slightly because they are collapsible and able to fit underneath a seat without blocking the aisle. Only one pet is allowed in a kennel, and the animal must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably.
DISCLAIMER: Policies are subject to change due to Airline policy, up to date as of October 13, 2020.
