Flying KLM With Your Dog: Cabin, Hold, Fees and How to Book

KLM is the airline most Dutch dog owners fly first — and its pet rules are clear, as long as you know them before you book. Here's the short version, checked September 2026. Rules change, so confirm on KLM's pet page before you fly.

In the cabin: up to 8 kg, dog and bag together

  • Weight: max 8 kg for dog + bag together.
  • Bag: a closed soft bag or kennel of max 46 × 28 × 24 cm. It goes under the seat in front of you and stays closed during the flight.
  • Where you sit: Economy on every route; Business only within Europe. On intercontinental flights, no pets in Premium Comfort or Business — the seats have no space underneath.
  • How many: 1 dog or cat per passenger in the cabin. Minimum age 15 weeks.

In the hold: up to 75 kg, on your own flight

Too big for the cabin? Your dog flies in the hold — the heated luggage space under the floor of your own plane. You hand it over at check-in and pick it up after landing.

  • Weight: dog + kennel together max 75 kg.
  • Kennel: hard, IATA-approved, max 122 × 81 × 89 cm — or max 102 × 69 × 76 cm on KLM's European Boeing 737 and Embraer flights. Your dog must be able to stand, turn around and lie down in it.
  • Transfers: not possible in the hold if your connection is 3 hours or longer. Via Paris (CDG or Orly) your dog never transfers automatically: you collect it and check it in again.
  • Up to 3 pets in the hold per passenger; small dogs under 14 kg can share a kennel.

Where KLM won't take your dog

  • To the United Kingdom: no dogs in the cabin or the hold, because of a UK government embargo. Cargo only. From the UK to the Netherlands is fine. Going to England anyway? Read how to take your dog to the UK by ferry or Eurotunnel.
  • Strict-import destinations: the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Hong Kong and Australia only accept dogs as cargo, not in the cabin. Check KLM's page for your destination before you book the ticket.
  • Certain planes: no dogs in the hold on KLM's Boeing 787-9, 787-10 and Airbus A321neo, nor on flights operated by German Airways. On KLM Cityhopper flights the hold is only possible on flights of up to 2 hours.

On these flights the pet option simply doesn't appear in My Trip. If your dog is small enough for the cabin, it's often worth picking a flight time with a different aircraft.

Flat-nosed dogs: cabin only

KLM does not take snub-nosed breeds in the hold — they can overheat and struggle to breathe. That includes pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shar-Peis, Staffordshire bull terriers, mastiffs and Cane Corsos. If your flat-nosed dog is under 8 kg with the bag, the cabin is fine. If not, KLM only takes it as cargo (a separate booking through KLM Cargo).

What it costs

€70 to €500 per one-way flight, depending on the route and whether your dog flies in the cabin or the hold. Within Europe you're at the low end; intercontinental in the hold is the high end. KLM shows the exact price when you add the dog to your booking.

How to book your dog's spot

A dog is not part of any KLM fare, so you won't see it on the fare screen. You add it after you've booked your own ticket.

  1. Book your own ticket first.
  2. Add your dog through My Trip on klm.com (or call KLM) — no later than 48 hours before departure, and ideally straight after booking. The number of pets per flight is limited and depends on the aircraft and the route.
  3. Don't see the option? Either your route or aircraft is on the list above, your connection is 3 hours or longer, or the pet spots on that flight are already taken. Try another flight time, or call KLM.
  4. Bring the EU pet passport (or Animal Health Certificate if you live outside the EU), a rabies shot at least 21 days old, and a microchip.
  5. Cabin: arrive as normal, the bag goes under the seat. Hold: be at the check-in desk early with your dog in the kennel.

Not sure if your dog fits the rules?

Our free Dog Flight Checker takes your dog's breed and weight and tells you whether KLM — and 24 other airlines — take it in the cabin or the hold, with a checklist for the vet dates.

Open the Dog Flight Checker →

Also flying with: Transavia · Air France · Lufthansa. Need a bag? Which Dog Carrier Bag Is Really Airline-Approved?

Source: KLM pet information, checked September 2026. Always confirm with KLM before you book.

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