KLM allows most passengers to bring a carry-on bag and a personal item onboard, but size and weight limits vary by fare and cabin class. Here's how to avoid surprises at the gate.
- Hand baggage: 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 21.5 x 13.5 x 10 in (handles and wheels included)
- Small bag: 40 x 30 x 15 cm / 15.75 x 11.81 x 5.91 in (must fit under the seat)
- Heads up: Economy Basic passengers are limited to the small bag only – no overhead carry-on included
- Pro tip: If you’re on a short-haul or full flight, keep essentials in your small bag in case KLM gate-checks your hand baggage for free.
In this article
- KLM carry-on size policy.
- KLM carry-on rules for traveling with infants.
- What extra items can you bring on board KLM flights?
- KLM carry-on FAQs.
- Top three KLM carry-on luggage tips.
KLM carry-on size policy.
Like its partner airline, Air France, KLM refers to carry-on bags as hand baggage. A personal item, meanwhile, is called a small bag. Most Economy passengers are allowed one piece of hand baggage and one small bag.
Passengers traveling in Premium and Business cabins are allowed two hand baggage items and one small bag. The combined weight of hand baggage and a small bag is 26.5 lbs (12 kg) in Premium and 39.7 lbs (18 kg) in Business.
KLM carry-on allowance by fare type.
- Economy Basic: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) that must fit under the seat in front of you. A carry-on bag is not included but can be purchased separately.
- Economy Light, Standard and Flex: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and 1 carry-on bag (55 x 35 x 25 cm). The combined weight limit is 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
- Premium Comfort: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and 2 carry-on bags (55 x 35 x 25 cm each). The combined weight limit is 12 kg (26.5 lbs).
- Business Class: Includes 1 personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and 2 carry-on bags (55 x 35 x 25 cm each). The combined weight limit is 18 kg (40 lbs).
Flying with a partner airline.
If your itinerary includes both KLM and another carrier, such as Delta, be aware that carry-on rules may differ between flights.
For example, Delta does not publish a carry-on weight limit, while KLM limits most Economy passengers to a combined cabin baggage weight of 12 kg (26.5 lbs). As a result, a bag that meets the requirements for one flight may exceed the allowance on another.
KLM carry-on rules for traveling with infants.
KLM offers additional baggage allowances for families traveling with young children.
If you’re traveling with an infant under 2 years old who does not have their own seat, you can bring 1 carry-on bag weighing up to 12 kg (26.5 lbs) and measuring no more than 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in).
You may also bring baby food needed during the flight. In addition, KLM allows parents to check 1 stroller and 1 car seat free of charge.
Children traveling in their own seat receive the standard baggage allowance included with their ticket fare.
Are strollers allowed as carry-on bags on KLM?
KLM allows collapsible strollers (called buggies) onboard, subject to space availability and aircraft type.
Strollers must not exceed 15 x 30 x 100 cm (6 x 12 x 39 in) when folded. If there isn’t enough space in the cabin, you can check your stroller free of charge. At many airports, you can also use it up to the departure gate before gate-checking it.
What extra items can you bring on board KLM flights?
KLM allows passengers to bring extra items on board that do not count toward the hand bag allowance. The following items are neither considered a personal item nor hand baggage:
- A jacket, coat, or other clothing item you may be wearing
- Neck pillows
- Duty free items purchased at the airport
- Children’s items such as strollers
However, it’s important to not abuse those allowances. Passengers carrying all of the above in addition to their two allowed items will likely be required to consolidate – and may even be required to gate check a bag.
Musical instruments
Musical instruments that fit within KLM’s standard hand baggage dimensions are considered a standard hand baggage item and are included in your baggage allowance. However, keep in mind that your only other allowed item will be a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
Instruments larger than the above dimensions can only be accepted on an extra seat or in the hold. In this case, instruments will be placed not in overhead bins but on one or more additional seats (the fare for which the passenger is required to pay).
If you’re traveling with an instrument larger than those dimensions as hand luggage, it’s highly recommended to contact KLM’s customer service center in advance of your flight to make sure you follow the rules.
KLM carry-on FAQs.
Still have questions about KLM carry-on bag size or other concerns? Find all the answers you need below.
KLM refers to personal items as small bags. These must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.75 x 11.81 x 5.91 in) and under the seat in front of you. Examples include a handbag, laptop bag, small backpack or tote bag.
It depends on several factors: how full the flight is; the discretion of gate agents; and a passenger's status with the airline. Some passengers have experienced their carry-on bags being weighed, while others have never had an issue.
As a result, it's highly recommended for passengers to be familiar with the rules – and understand the risks (a fee to check an oversized or overweight bag) if you're tempted to bring on more than the allowance.
Yes. You can bring both a backpack and a purse if one qualifies as your hand baggage and the other qualifies as your small bag.
Your hand baggage must not exceed 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.5 x 13.8 x 9.8 in), while your small bag must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.75 x 11.81 x 5.91 in) and under the seat in front of you.
For most Economy fares, both items count toward KLM's 12 kg (26.5 lbs) combined cabin baggage weight limit.
Generally, no. If KLM asks you to check your carry-on at the gate because overhead bin space is limited, there is typically no charge.
To avoid inconvenience, keep medications, electronics, travel documents and other valuables in your small bag under the seat in front of you, as checked bags may not be accessible during the flight.
Top three KLM carry-on luggage tips.
from travel expert Blane Bachelor
1. KLM may require you to check your carry-on.
I’m based in Amsterdam, and I fly KLM fairly regularly. I’ve never been asked to weigh my carry-on luggage. However, I was required to check in my carry-on suitcase – even with an Economy Comfort seat – before I could receive my boarding pass.
Even more frustrating: When I boarded, all of the bin space in my row was empty. The bottom line: Despite your best efforts to avoid checking a bag, the airline might have other ideas.
2. Economy Light passengers may have to check their carry-on.
Anyone ticketed on KLM’s lowest fare category – Economy Light – is allowed two carry-on items. However, if the flight is full, these passengers’ hand bags will be the first in line to be checked as checked baggage.
For this reason, KLM asks Economy Light passengers to keep an eye on their mobile phones, in case the carrier sends them a text message with this update.
3. KLM’s carry-on weight limit is lower than Delta’s.
Delta Air Lines, a KLM partner airline, has a higher weight allowance for carry-ons than KLM. So for international connections this difference can be tricky to navigate. If possible I recommend sticking to the lower KLM allowance (26.5 lbs for both carry-on items), to avoid any issues during your trip.
Still have questions about KLM carry-on size?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare carry-on rules across airlines, check out our carry-on size guide.
