2025 KLM Airlines Baggage Allowance Policy - CabinZero’s Guide To Free Travel

You don’t want to miss this comprehensive KLM Airlines baggage allowance guide before flying. 

We’ll break down all the fundamental information you need for hassle-free flights, including:

• Their hand luggage policy

• Checked baggage limits, and when is it considered oversized and overweight

• Easy booking and checking-in process

You’ve probably heard that KLM Airlines usually just eyeballs the size of your carry-on bags unless you are obviously struggling to carry them. However, it’s not always the case. To avoid unexpected costs, we’ll also let you in on this one CabinZero’s ultimate trick that lets you fly KLM affordable and stress-free.

Overview of KLM Airlines

KLM is one of the most trusted names for European flights. Photo by Elena Noeva - stock.adobe.com

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, normally referred to as KLM Airlines, was founded in 1919, making it one of Europe’s oldest airlines still operating. They’re the national carrier of the Netherlands and a part of the Air France-KLM group. They offer flights from across 6 continents, with 163 destinations.

KLM Airlines is not typically considered a budget-friendly name. For short-haul flights within Europe, Ryanair or Easyjet may be a better option. 

However, in-flight services are definitely their strongest suit. Lots of travellers believe they’re unbeatable when it comes to in-flight meals, entertainment, and staff professionalism. You get what you pay for, in a good way!

KLM Baggage Allowance For Carry-on Bags: How Many & How Big?

The KLM Airlines' hand luggage allowance differs depending on cabin type. Different fare types (Light, Standard, and Flex) for each cabin type usually only affect seat selection, checked baggage, and other amenities, like schedule flexibility and lounge access.

How Many Carry-On Bags Are Allowed On KLM?

For all cabin types of KLM Airlines, you’re always allowed a combination of carry-on bag(s) + personal item(s). What varies is the quantity for each. Here’s a summary:

Smaller additional items that can be allowed as carry-ons alongside items above can be an umbrella, a jacket, duty-free items purchased at the airport, and other necessary medical or baby-related items.

Note: Baggage allowances can change. Always verify the most current information on KLM's official website or contact customer service before your flight.

KLM Airlines Size And Weight Limits For Carry-On Bags

KLM Airlines baggage allowance policy is neither lenient nor stingy in terms of size and weight. We’d say it’s pretty standard compared to other airlines. Some airlines apply a weight limit for each bag. Others, like KLM Airlines, have a total weight limit.

Your baggage should conform to the dimension and weight restrictions in that:

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If you’re boarding a Light ticket and there isn’t enough room in the overhead cabin for your baggage, you may be asked to gate-check your bag. 

This will also be free of charge, but you might find it quite inconvenient. Fortunately, it’s not common. Make sure you stick to the limits, and try not to be the last to board during peak season.

KLM Airlines Babies Hand Baggage Allowance

The Dutch carrier offers specific hand baggage allowances for infants and babies. 

KLM Airlines Excess Baggage Fee

If your carry-on baggage exceeds KLM Airlines baggage allowance limits, they’ll most likely ask you to check it at the gate.

If your ticket does not include free checked baggage, or it does, but you have checked your other bags already, then you have to pay an extra fee. The overweight fee will be around €70-200.

Buying more baggage in advance is much, much cheaper. You can buy one piece of additional baggage (always 50lbs/23kg) for €25 to €75 for flights within Europe or €30 to €240 for international flights.

Note that you should purchase additional baggage before 24 hours of departure time, or it will be treated as excess baggage fees.

Best Cabin Bag For KLM Airlines

Sometimes your bag/suitcase doesn’t look that big at home, but the carry-on sizer at the airport may surprise you. To keep the whole trip smooth sailing, why not opt for something that’s already cabin-sized to begin with?

Cabin-sized backpacks are saviours for strict baggage allowance.

To avoid that kind of stress before a fun trip, grab your CabinZero’s 28L Underseat Bags. Measuring at just 39 x 29.5 x 20 cm (15.4 x 11.6 x 7 inch), it’s designed to fit comfortably in most major airlines’ dimension limits, even stingy ones. 

Paired with a bigger suitcase, it can be a roomy personal item. On just its own, it’s perfect for short trips.

KLM Airlines Baggage Allowances For Checked Bags

KLM Airlines baggage allowance for checked items depends on both cabin types and fare types. 

Light fare typically does not cover checked baggage unless you’re in Business. Standard and Flex fares, regardless of cabin type, allow at least 1 free checked bag.

KLM Airlines Baggage Allowance For Sport Equipment

Bigger sporting equipment or other special items that don’t fit or exceed the airline’s limits for carry-ons need to be checked. Checked sporting equipment is treated as a checked bag. 

This means that if your ticket allows 2 checked bags for free, your equipment will be counted as 1 bag of them. If your ticket only allows 1 checked bag or none, then you need to pay the additional baggage fee to check in your item, but you have to contact the airline to make a reservation. 

KLM also supports checking in large equipment like bikes and snowboards. 

Each type of sporting equipment has their own instructions listed in KLM’S special baggage packing and quantity guidelines.

Carry-on compliant bags mean less fees and more time to explore.

What If My Luggage Is Too Big For KLM?

KLM Airlines baggage allowance policy does not accept checked baggage that is heavier than 32 kg and bigger than 300 cm. You can use a third-party shipping service. 

If your extra bag is lighter and smaller than that, then you can either purchase an additional checked piece (more than 24 hours before flight) or pay an excess baggage fee (less than 24 hours before flight). The earlier you buy extra baggage, the better the deals.

Booking Tickets and Checking In With KLM Airlines

KLM Airlines has three cabin types: Economy, Premium Comfort, and Business. 

Economy class offers 3 fare types: Light, Standard, and Flex, with Light including just the bare essentials. Premium Comfort offers the same fare structure as Economy, but the base fare is higher as it includes more benefits like extra legroom and upgraded meals. 

Business class usually has Standard and Flex fare, with even more added benefits like lie-flat seats and free extra baggage allowance.

You can book either online (through KLM’s official site or their mobile app) or offline with a travel agency.

Many people also prefer to compare prices on third-party sites like Skyscanner and GoogleFlights, and sometimes, those sites list an exclusive deal.

A screenshot of KLM Airlines’ official booking page.

How To Check In With KLM Airlines?

If you can buy your tickets online, then you’re usually allowed to check-in online 24-30 hours before the flight. KLM has check-in options on both the official site (in the “Check-In” section) and their mobile app. 

If you can calculate your baggage weight and size at home, then you can also pre-check them. Additional checked bags purchased at home are cheaper than at the airport.

You can either choose the traditional route by checking in at their airport kiosk or cut the waiting time by using the self-service counter. Most airlines open their counters for as early as 2-3 hours before boarding time. 

FAQs

Here are the answers to any extra questions you may have about KLM Airlines baggage allowance. 

1. Do Children Under 2 Fly Free At KLM?

No. Children under 2 who sit in an adult’s lap for the whole flight can fly for a strongly discounted fare. If your child occupies a seat, then you have to pay for that seat at a child fare that applies for kids from 2 to 11 years old.

Make sure that your child’s 2nd birthday does not fall on any day of the trip else the discounted fare is null. 

Child tickets include limited baggage. If you’re packing lots of liquid products like milk, juice, and baby food, don’t forget to learn the 3-1-1 liquid rules and follow KLM’s guidelines before packing. 

2. How Many Extra Baggage Is Allowed In KLM?

Each passenger is allowed a maximum of 10 extra bags with additional fees. The cost depends on your cabin type, fare type, route, and whether you purchase extra baggage online or at the airport.

Extra bags must also meet KLM Airlines baggage allowance limits, or you will be refused to check them in. 

3. Is A Stroller A Free Checked Bag?

Yes. You can check 1 baby stroller per child for free with KLM Airlines. For intercontinental flights, you can board with a baby stroller as long as it does not exceed 15 x 30 x 100 cm in dimensions. 

Since space is limited, make sure you contact KLM first about travelling with baby carriers of any kind.

On flights within Europe (especially with KLM Cityhopper), you may not be allowed a stroller as carry-on. They can have you gate check it for free. 

KLM Airlines Baggage Allowance Made Easy With CabinZero

KLM Airlines' baggage allowance is not that complicated; it’s just that they have so many options that it can be overwhelming for first-time travellers. 

Economy tickets allow 1 carry-on + 1 personal item. Premium Comfort and Business allow 2 carry-ons + 1 personal item. For checked baggage, Economy Light fare does not come with free checked bags. You can upgrade your fare or cabin class to get more baggage allowance.

To prevent unexpected baggage costs, it’s best to travel with a cabin-sized bag, like one from CabinZero’s selection of under seat bags. 

For more airline guides, packing tips, and travel hacks, don’t forget to check out our blog and social media!

Nguyen Tran Gia Khanh