KLM

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the flag carrier of the Netherlands and, together with Air France, part of the Air France-KLM group and the SkyTeam alliance. From its single hub at Amsterdam Schiphol it connects a dense European network with long-haul flights to North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Its frequent-flyer programme is Flying Blue, shared with Air France.

Hub and network

Almost every KLM itinerary passes through Schiphol, a single-terminal airport with a railway station underneath, so Amsterdam itself is easy to add as a stopover. KLM Cityhopper operates many of the shorter European routes. Through the joint venture with Air France, connections are also possible via Paris–Charles de Gaulle.

Baggage allowance

From KLM’s official cabin baggage page:

• Every passenger may bring one small bag of up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm under the seat in front.
• Economy Basic: the small bag only (12 kg). A hand baggage piece can be bought in My Trip.
• Economy Light, Standard and Flex: the small bag plus one hand baggage piece of up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm (including wheels and handles), with a combined maximum of 12 kg.
• Premium Comfort: the small bag plus two hand baggage pieces, 12 kg in total. Business: the small bag plus two pieces, 18 kg in total.
• Departures from the US: TSA rules limit everyone to one hand baggage piece and one small bag.

Checked baggage depends on fare and route; your allowance is shown in My Trip. On full flights, hand baggage may be checked in at the gate free of charge.

Check-in

From KLM’s check-in times page: online check-in opens 30 hours before departure (24 hours for flights to or from the US). At most airports, check-in desks close 40 minutes before European flights and 60 minutes before intercontinental flights. At Schiphol, your boarding pass shows the bag-drop closing time for your flight.

Seats, meals and onboard service

On intercontinental flights, meals and drinks are included in all cabins. On European flights the offer depends on cabin and route. Whether you can choose a seat for free in advance depends on your fare and Flying Blue status; paid seat options are shown in My Trip.

Changes, cancellations and refunds

Each fare type has its own conditions for changes and refunds, explained on KLM’s ticket options page. On flights covered by EU rules you may be entitled to rebooking or a refund, care and in some cases compensation if a flight is cancelled or heavily delayed: see the EU passenger rights portal.

Practical tips

• Check your fare before packing. On Economy Basic, a trolley-size bag is not included.
• Weigh both bags together: the 12 kg Economy limit covers the small bag and the hand baggage piece.
• Short connection? Read our Schiphol guide and size it with the Layover Planner.
• Stopping over? See our Amsterdam guide and Netherlands guide.

Official links

• Booking: klm.com · My Trip
• Baggage: baggage information
• Customer service: contact options

Rules and services checked against official sources in October 2026. Airlines and airports change their policies, fares and services regularly: always confirm the details for your own booking on the official pages linked here before you travel.

Header photo: Adam Moreira (AEMoreira042281) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0