Traveling with children and babies
Baggage for kids
The number of bags your child may bring depends on the ticket type and whether they have their own seat on board:
| 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
You can bring extra items in addition to your kids’ bags. 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 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
- Max. 15 x 30 x 100 cm when folded
- Max. 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, we'll place it in the hold at the gate.
Back carriers must always be checked in at the check-in desk.
Collecting your buggy, stroller, or back carrier upon arrival for KLM flights
Upon arrival, buggies, strollers, and back carriers that were placed in the hold will be sent to 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 our staff for directions.
Buggies and strollers on KLM Cityhopper flights
If you're flying with KLM Cityhopper, your buggy or stroller will always be placed in the hold at the gate.
Back carriers must always be checked in. We'll then place it in the hold.
Collecting your buggy, stroller, or back carrier upon arrival for KLM Cityhopper flights Buggies and strollers that were placed in the hold may sometimes be handed to you upon arrival. If not, our staff will let you know where to collect your buggy or stroller.
Since back carriers are always placed in the hold, our staff will tell you where to collect it.
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
If you book a seat for your child, we recommend bringing a child car seat on board with you. KLM cannot provide any car seats or CARES, so make sure to bring your own.
- Did you book a seat for a baby of up to 2 years? You don't need to bring a car seat or CARES if they sit on your lap during taxing, take-off, and landing.
- If you travel with 2 babies of up to 2 years - one on your lap and one in their own seat - you must bring one car seat or CARES.
Because there are limited seating options when bringing a car seat, you must make a reservation by contacting us as early as possible, but at least 48 hours before departure.
Car seat requirements
- The car seat may show no defects.
- The accompanying adult must own the car seat.
- The car seat must be visibly certified for air transport and have a manual showing compatibility with the aircraft's two-point seat belt.
- The car seat must fit between the armrests of the aircraft seat, which is 42 cm wide.
- The child must have a booked seat to use the car seat. The car seat must be checked in if the child does not have their own seat.
- Children using a car seat must sit next to their accompanying adult, at a window seat in outer rows or a middle seat in center rows, near a cabin door.
- Car seats are not allowed in Business Class on Boeing 787 aircraft.
- Please follow the manufacturer’s manual when securing the child car seat. During takeoff and landing, it may be secured in a rear-facing position. At cruising altitude, it must be placed facing forward, so the seat in front can recline.
Do you prefer checking in a car seat instead of bringing it on board? In that case, these requirements do not apply.
If you book a seat for your child, you can bring an in-flight bed or leg-rest extension without making a reservation.
For your child’s safety, please ensure their head is pointing towards the aircraft's tail so they can use the safety belt properly. The in-flight bed or leg-rest extension should not be directly attached to the seat. It cannot be used 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, unless you contact us to book a seat for your baby. Our child ticket for children 2 years and older includes a seat.
Selecting seats for your family
Up until check-in*, you can reserve (paid) seats during booking or in My Trip. - During check-in*, we assign seats for free. We do our very best to seat your family together! If that is not possible, we’ll find the closest seats available. Children under 12** years old will always sit beside an adult in your booking.
We recommend bringing a car seat or CARES for each child with a booked seat.
*Check-in opens 30 hours before departure, or 24 hours for flights to or from the United States.
**13 years old and younger on KLM flights to, from, and via Canada.
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 not yet 1 year old, and
- Your baby weighs less than 10 kg, and
- Your baby is less than 65 cm tall.
You can request a bassinet by contacting the KLM Customer Contact Center. When you request a bassinet, we'll 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 older! Reserve a meal box at least 24 hours before departure to ensure they get a delicious meal. 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: 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.