KLM Pet Policy: Flying With a Dog or Cat (US Guide)

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is one of the more pet-friendly European carriers, and for US travelers heading to Amsterdam or connecting onward through Europe, it is a common choice for flying with a dog or cat. The catch is that KLM's pet rules are layered: there is one set of limits for the cabin, another for the hold, and a separate path through Air France KLM Cargo for the largest or most restricted animals. Fees, weight ceilings and route eligibility all change depending on where you are flying and which aircraft is operating the leg.

This guide walks through how each option works, what paperwork US departures require, and where the common surprises hide. Every fee and weight figure below is approximate and based on KLM's published guidance, so treat it as a planning reference and confirm the current numbers on klm.com before you book.

The three ways your pet can fly KLM

KLM generally carries cats and dogs through one of three channels, and which one applies depends mostly on size and breed.

• In the cabin: small dogs and cats that fit, with their carrier, under the seat in front of you.
• In the hold (as checked baggage): larger pets traveling in an IATA-compliant kennel in the temperature-controlled hold on the same flight as you.
• As cargo via Air France KLM Cargo: the largest animals, certain restricted routes, and situations where neither cabin nor hold is allowed. These are handled through the Animal Hotel hub in Amsterdam.

If you are still weighing which route fits your dog or cat, our overview of pet cargo versus in-cabin travel breaks down the trade-offs in cost, stress and eligibility.

In-cabin pets: small dogs and cats

According to KLM's published policy, a small dog or cat can travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the pet plus its carrier does not exceed roughly 8 kg (about 17.6 lb). The carrier must be a soft-sided bag that fits under the seat in front of you, with maximum dimensions of approximately 46 x 28 x 24 cm. The animal has to stay inside the carrier for the entire flight.

KLM typically allows one pet in the cabin per passenger, and cabin pets are generally limited to Economy and, on some within-Europe routes, Business Class. Because cabin spots are capped per flight, they fill up. Reserve early and confirm by phone if you cannot complete the booking online. For broader prep tips that apply across airlines, see our guide to flying with a dog in the cabin.

Fees vary widely by route. KLM's guidance indicates pet charges can run from roughly 70 EUR to 500 EUR per one-way flight, with shorter within-Europe legs at the low end and intercontinental flights toward the higher end. Convert to USD at booking and expect the number to shift, so verify it on klm.com.

Pets in the hold: larger dogs and multiple animals

When a pet is too big for the cabin, KLM can carry it in the hold as checked baggage on many routes. KLM's policy indicates the combined weight of the pet (or pets) plus the kennel can go up to roughly 75 kg (about 165 lb), which covers most large dogs in an appropriately sized crate. KLM also allows up to a few pets in the hold in some cases, and littermates or similarly sized pairs may sometimes share a kennel under KLM's conditions.

Hold travel comes with aircraft and connection caveats that catch people off guard. KLM's guidance notes that pets are not accepted in the hold on certain aircraft (for example some Boeing 787 and Airbus A321neo configurations), and that hold transport can be blocked when a transfer exceeds a set number of hours. Because the operating aircraft can change, confirm hold eligibility for your specific flight numbers, not just the route.

Cargo via Air France KLM Cargo

For the largest animals, restricted breeds in some cases, or routes where cabin and hold are not options, KLM directs pet owners to Air France KLM Cargo. Cargo bookings are handled separately from your passenger ticket and route through the Animal Hotel facility at Amsterdam Schiphol, which is purpose-built for animal transit and layovers.

Cargo is typically the most expensive path and often requires a pet shipping agent for international moves, but it is also the only viable option for some destinations and large breeds. If you are relocating a pet rather than taking a trip, our notes on pet transport to the Netherlands cover the relocation angle in more detail.

KLM pet options at a glance

The table below summarizes the three channels. All figures are approximate, based on KLM's published guidance, and subject to change by route, aircraft and date. Confirm current details on klm.com before booking.

Breed restrictions: snub-nosed and dangerous breeds

KLM, like most carriers, restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds because their airways make them vulnerable to heat and breathing stress in the hold. Per KLM's guidance, most snub-nosed dogs and cats are not accepted in the hold. Commonly cited examples include Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Persian cats. Some of these may still travel in the cabin if they meet the weight and carrier limits, and cargo can be an option in certain cases.

KLM also restricts breeds classified as dangerous or fighting dogs under applicable regulations. Because the specific list and conditions change and depend on origin and destination rules, confirm whether your dog's breed is affected directly with KLM before you commit to a fare. Airlines such as Lufthansa apply similar but not identical breed rules, so do not assume one carrier's list matches another's.

Crate and IATA requirements

Pets traveling in the hold or as cargo must use a kennel that meets IATA Live Animals Regulations. In practice that means a rigid, hard-sided container that is escape-proof, well ventilated on multiple sides, and large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down naturally. The crate also needs secure door latches, no wheels (or wheels removed), and proper labeling.

KLM publishes maximum kennel dimensions that differ by aircraft type, with smaller ceilings on regional European jets than on wide-body intercontinental aircraft. Measure your pet and check the dimension limits for your specific flight before buying a crate.

Route exceptions: the UK and other limits

One of the biggest gotchas is the United Kingdom. Because of UK government rules, KLM does not accept pets in the cabin or hold as passenger baggage on flights to the UK. Pets bound for the UK must travel as cargo and meet UK entry requirements. Pets can generally depart the UK on KLM flights, but inbound is cargo-only. Other destinations carry their own quarantine or import rules that can override KLM's standard options, so always check the destination country's requirements alongside KLM's policy.

Paperwork for US travelers

Flying a pet from the US into the European Union (KLM's home region) means clearing both EU entry rules and US export steps. The core requirements typically include an ISO-standard 15-digit microchip, a current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip, and an EU health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

For pets leaving the US, that EU health certificate generally must be endorsed by USDA APHIS within a tight window before departure, and the EU-specific requirements are detailed on the APHIS pet travel to the EU page. Timing matters: rabies vaccination waiting periods and endorsement deadlines can take weeks to line up. Start early, and use our pet health certificate guide to map the sequence. Always confirm the live requirements on klm.com and the official KLM pet page, since rules differ by destination and change without much notice.

Service dogs, booking and confirming

Recognized service dogs are handled differently from pets and generally travel in the cabin without the standard pet fee, subject to documentation and behavior requirements. If you are traveling with a service animal, contact KLM well ahead of time to confirm what proof and notice it needs.

For pets, KLM asks you to arrange transport in advance (its guidance points to booking well before departure, often at least 48 hours out), and cabin and hold spots are limited per flight. The safest approach is to add the pet during booking where possible and then call KLM to confirm the reservation, the fee, the crate dimensions for your aircraft, and any breed or route restrictions. The official KLM travelling with pets page is the authoritative source for current numbers.

KLM gives US travelers solid options for flying with a dog or cat, but the details depend heavily on your pet's size, breed, route and aircraft. Use this guide to plan, then confirm the live policy on klm.com so there are no surprises at the airport.