KLM Airlines Baggage Policy: Carry-On, Checked, and Special Baggage Allowances

KLM Airlines, or Royal Dutch Airlines, was founded on October 7, 1919. It is the oldest operating Airline that still operates under its original name. With its Hub at the Amsterdam Airport, it serves more than 140 destinations with 35,488 employees and 110 aircraft. Experience gives you seriousness and professionalism; similarly, KLM holds an excellent safety record with its fleet of Boeing aircraft. If you consider booking a flight ticket with KLM Airlines, you must know about baggage policies and allowances. This article will briefly discuss the KLM baggage policy and the rules and guidelines regarding these policies. 

What is Included in KLM Baggage Allowance?

KLM is entitled as the oldest Airline in the world, and this experience shows professionalism in their services and rules and guidelines. Items and luggage passengers carry, whether they hand over at the counters or small carry-ons to their seats, are all included in the KLM's baggage allowance policy. KLM has made some rules and regulations that explain the allowance. Let's take a look at these rules.

Carry-On Baggage Allowance for KLM Passengers

To have a smooth and stress-free experience, you must know the weight limit of your carry-on luggage. Your bags and luggage must fall under the KLM carry-on baggage rules, as permitted by the Airline.

• Economy Class: Passengers traveling in Economy classes are allowed carry-on baggage, such as one handbag, of size and dimensions, including wheels and handles, that should be 55 x 35 x 25 cm. They can also get one accessory, such as a laptop bag or a small handbag, with a size limitation of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The weight of these items should not exceed 12kg.
• Premium Comfort Class: Passengers flying in the Premium Comfort Class are allowed more carry-on baggage. They are allowed to bring two items of hand baggage, and the permitted size for each baggage is 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including hand and wheels. They can even bring an additional accessory such as a laptop bag or a small handbag of dimensions 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The combined weight of the carry-on baggage should not be more than 12 kg. 
• Business Class: The Airline allows business class passengers to carry two pieces of Carry-on baggage, including the handles and wheels; the dimensions should not be more than 55 x 35 x 25 cm. They can even bring an additional accessory, such as a laptop bag or a small handbag with a dimension limit of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The combined weight of these items must not be more than 18 kg. 
• Hand Baggage allowance for the babies: The allowance is the same for children; it only differentiates when they do not have that. If they are traveling on your lap, passengers are allowed to bring 1 item with a maximum size of 55 x 35 x 25 cm and a weight allowance of 12 kg. 

Checked Baggage Allowance on KLM Flights

Now, we will see KLM checked baggage allowance and the number of items with their weight limitations set by the Airline.

• Economy Class: The number of bags you can bring during your journey in Economy Class depends on many factors, such as the ticket type and destination. Here is what the Airline offers its passengers to get a general idea. 
  • Light Ticket: No checked baggage is included. 
  • Standard or Flex Ticket: Passengers can carry one piece of checked luggage with a maximum dimension (length + width + height) of 158 cm, including the wheels and handles, and a weight of no more than 23 kg.  
  • For some routes, airlines allow passengers to carry additional baggage. 
• Premium Class: Passengers flying in the Premium Comfort Class with a standard or flex ticket can carry two pieces of checked luggage. Each piece should not be more than 158 cm, including the handles and wheels. The maximum allowed weight is 23 kg; if you fly with a Light Ticket in the premium comfort class, checked baggage is not included. 
• Business Class: For passengers flying on a Standard or Flex ticket in Business class, the allowance is to carry two pieces of checked luggage, each no more than 158 cm (length + width + height), including the handles and wheels. The maximum weight allowed is 32 Kg. If a passenger is flying on a light ticket in Business Class, they can carry one piece of checked luggage with the allowed weight of 32 kg. 

KLM Special Baggage Allowance

Passengers can carry special, unique, and different baggage. Here, we will be seeing how to bring your special baggage items so that they won't cause any trouble to anyone. 

• Sports Equipment: For Special baggage KLM allows passengers to make reservations for transportation for the equipment and other sports items. Here is the list of items and their specific requirements.
  • Bicycle: You must pay an extra fee to transport a bike, and the fare will be calculated based on the route. 
  • Golfing equipment: The weight limitation for the Economy class should be 23 kg and 32 kg for the Business class. 
  • Skis and Snowboards: Bring a ski, snowboard, or surfing board and have it checked with your luggage. It should be no more than 300 cm and under 23 kg for Economy class and 32 kg for Business class.
  • Diving Equipment: Passengers can bring their diving equipment, including the wetsuit, vest, mask, socks, shoes, regulator, cylinder, and knife, and have it checked as baggage. Just make sure that the cylinders are empty. 
• Musical Instrument: Passengers can bring their musical equipment on board; either they can bring it as checked baggage or transport it on an extra seat. It depends on your equipment's size and weight. 

KLM Baggage Fees: What You Need to Know

If passengers want to carry extra baggage or if their luggage is heavier or more extensive than expected, find out the options KLM Airlines provides for excess baggage. 

• Fees for Excess Baggage on KLM Flights: The passengers are free to decide how many kilos of carry-on baggage they want to bring. Even after booking your ticket, you can still buy an additional allowance for checked baggage up to 23 kg. You will have to pay if you purchase it at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • EUR 20 and EUR 70 for the flights that are within Europe.
  • EUR 30 and EUR 240 on the intercontinental flights.
• Baggage Charges for Special Items: For special items like sports and musical equipment, the charges are calculated based on the route's distance and the size and weight of the item. For example, if you are transporting a bicycle, it should be appropriately packed inside a box designed for bike transportation. You can pay EUR 30 at the Amsterdam airport for a shipment box. Similarly, based on the size and weight of your musical instrument, you can pay extra charges that will be calculated based on the distance and size, and you can pay for an additional seat as well. 

How to Avoid Baggage Fees with KLM?

Passengers traveling with KLM Airlines do not have to pay extra charges if their luggage weighs and is sized under the allowed limit. Charges are applied when the luggage weighs over 32 kg and if the sum of dimensions exceeds the allowed limitation of 158 cm. Such baggage weighing more than the permitted limit is called oversized baggage, and KLM baggage fees will be applied. 

How do you pack efficiently for your KLM flight?

KLM airline offers the best guidelines and rules for luggage, which allows customers to carry enough needed items. Still, for those who are having a hard time packing, here are some tips that should be helpful.

• Carry only essential items. 
• Make a Packing list
• Roll your clothes
• Use packing cubes
• Bundle your outfits

Baggage Allowance Tips for KLM Frequent Flyers

If you are a frequent flyer program member, you will have more advantages, such as carrying two bags. These frequent flyer programs include SkyTeam Elite or Flying Blue Silver, Gold, or Platinum members. 

• Economy Class: Passengers are allowed to carry baggage that weighs up to 23 kg and is 158 cm in size.
• Business Class: Passengers can carry two carry-on luggage, each weighing up to 32 kg. 

What Happens If You Lose Your Baggage on KLM?

In case you have lost your baggage or can't find it after your arrival, you don't have to worry; follow the instructions provided by KLM airline. 

KLM Lost baggage policy?

If your baggage is lost or you didn't receive it within 21 days after your flight's arrival, you can contact them. They will work together to resolve your issue, and they also suggest contacting the insurance company because most insurance companies cover the loss based on the value of your lost luggage. 

How to Report Lost Baggage with KLM?

You can report at the KLM desk at the airport and file the Property Irregularity Report (PIR). It is suggested that you keep a copy of the report information, and it is very important to note down the PIR file number. The PIR file number is very important as it allows you to track the status of your bags. In rare cases, if your baggage is lost and KLM is unable to find your bag within 21 days, you will receive compensation for your lost baggage it comes under KLM baggage claim policy.