🔄 Updated : June 29, 2026

KLM, the Dutch flag carrier and part of the Air France-KLM group, routes most of its flights through its Amsterdam-Schiphol hub — one of the best-connected in Europe. For travelers flying to, from or through Europe, KLM is often a natural alternative to Air France, with very similar dog-transport rules. Here are the details.

In the cabin: up to 8 kg (18 lb)

A dog can travel in the cabin on KLM if its weight, carrier included, does not exceed 8 kg (18 lb). The carrier must be soft-sided and respect maximum dimensions of about 46 × 28 × 24 cm (18 × 11 × 9.5 in) so it slides under the seat in front of you. It’s the option to favor: your dog stays close to you throughout the trip.

In the hold: up to 75 kg (165 lb)

For heavier dogs, KLM offers the hold, in a heated, pressurized compartment. The limit is 75 kg (165 lb) for the dog + crate combined, the same as Air France. The container must be a rigid IATA-compliant crate, large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around.

Here too, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds are banned from the hold. If your bulldog or pug exceeds the cabin limit, KLM will not be able to carry it in the hold: you’ll need another solution (see below).

How much does a dog cost on KLM?

KLM charges by destination, within a range of €70 (~$80) for European flights to €500 (~$575) for long-haul routes, whether in the cabin or the hold. These amounts are indicative and are confirmed at booking, based on the exact itinerary.

How to book

  1. Book your flight, then declare your dog to KLM: the airline asks you to add the pet to the reservation, since spots on board are limited.
  2. Gather the documents: microchip identification, up-to-date rabies vaccination, an EU pet passport (or the health certificate required from your country of departure), and a rabies titer test depending on the destination. Everything is detailed in our guide to international travel with a dog.
  3. Prepare the right container: a compliant soft carrier for the cabin, an IATA crate for the hold.

To limit travel stress, especially in the hold, read our advice on dog travel anxiety and dog motion sickness.

If KLM can’t carry your dog

For a brachycephalic dog too heavy for the cabin, options in the standard hold remain limited. Our Air France fact sheet (same group) shows the same rules; Lufthansa and SWISS apply them too. Within Europe, the train or the car is often a safer alternative. Get the full picture in our airline pet policy comparison.

🧰 Our tools to plan your trip

Dog flight checker Can my dog fly? 62 airlines compared, by departure airport, destination and your dog's weight. Open the checker → IATA crate calculator IATA crate calculator The airline-approved crate size for your dog, using the official IATA formula. Calculate the size → Entry requirements by country Entry requirements checker Country-by-country entry rules: paperwork, vaccines, lead times and official sources. Check the rules →

➡️ Next step : your journey

  1. Check the health requirements
  2. Choose an IATA-compliant travel crate
  3. Prepare your dog for the stress of flying
  4. Compare the 62 airlines

🌍 Where can you fly with KLM? Our entry-requirement guides for its destinations: Belgium & Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cabin weight limit on KLM?
8 kg (18 lb), carrier included, in a soft carrier of about 46 × 28 × 24 cm (18 × 11 × 9.5 in).
Does KLM accept large dogs in the hold?
Yes, up to 75 kg (165 lb) for the dog + crate combined — except brachycephalic breeds, which are excluded.
How much does it cost to fly a dog on KLM?
From about €70 ($80) for a European flight to €500 ($575) for a long-haul route, depending on the itinerary.
Can a bulldog fly on KLM?
In the cabin only, if it weighs less than 8 kg (18 lb) with its carrier. The hold is closed to flat-faced breeds.

Sources

KLM — Traveling with a pet, conditions accessed June 2026. Confirm fees and rules with KLM before booking, as they change regularly.