The KLM pet policy is more layered than most U.S. carriers’: pets can travel in the cabin, in the hold as checked baggage, or via cargo — and which one applies, and which breeds are restricted, changes depending on which of the three you’re using.
Current as of 2026: Airline policies can change without notice. Confirm directly with KLM before booking — this guide reflects only what could be independently confirmed on KLM’s own site and its affiliated cargo pages.
Three Ways to Fly: Cabin, Hold, or Cargo
Cabin and hold are both bookable directly through a standard KLM reservation. Cargo is different — it’s not self-service. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s own site states it doesn’t accept live animals directly from individuals; shipments must come through a forwarding agent, and since April 1, 2022, only IATA LAR-certified or LAR-trained customers can book. If you’re booking for yourself rather than through a business, cabin or hold is almost certainly your real option.
Carry-On (Cabin) Pets
One cat or dog per passenger is allowed in Economy Class, or in Business Class on European routes only — not on intercontinental Business Class. The carrier must be no larger than 46 × 28 × 24cm and fit closed under the seat in front of you. Combined pet and carrier weight is capped at 8kg. Minimum age is 15 weeks for travel to or from Germany, 12 weeks for everywhere else. Required documentation includes a rabies vaccination certificate, any applicable quarantine certificate, and other destination-specific paperwork, checked at the special-assistance desk.
Hold (Checked Baggage) Pets
Pets too large for the cabin travel in the hold instead, on the same flight as the owner. A UK government embargo currently blocks pets from traveling to the UK as cabin or hold baggage on KLM flights — there’s no restriction traveling from the UK. Pets can’t travel in the hold on Boeing 787-9, 787-10, or Airbus A321neo aircraft, or on German Airways flights. KLM Cityhopper flights have a seasonal hold embargo from November 1 through March 31, plus a general embargo on Cityhopper flights over 2 hours. A transfer of 3 hours or more also rules out hold travel — your pet would need to be picked up and re-checked rather than connecting automatically.
Fees
| Route | Cabin | Hold |
|---|---|---|
| United States → Europe | $200 | $400 |
| United States → Rest of world | $250 | $500 |
| Canada → Europe | $200 | $400 |
| Canada → Rest of world | $250 | $500 |
| All other routes | $200 | $400 |
Cargo pricing isn’t published as a flat rate — it’s arranged through a forwarding agent on a quote basis.
Breed Restrictions Differ by Tier
This is worth understanding clearly, since KLM publishes two genuinely different lists.
The hold restricts a long list of snub-nosed breeds, including Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Chow Chows, and several mastiff and spaniel types, plus Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian cats. A breed on this list can often still fly in the cabin (if it fits the 8kg limit) or as cargo — being barred from the hold doesn’t mean barred entirely.
The cargo embargo list is shorter: Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Pug are barred from Air France, KLM, and Martinair cargo flights, with American Bully barred on KLM and Martinair specifically.
Temperature Restrictions
KLM doesn’t publish numeric temperature thresholds the way some U.S. carriers do. Its own guidance only notes that a snub-nosed pet “may have trouble breathing during the flight due to high temperatures and stress” — a general caution, not a specific cutoff. The closest thing KLM has to a climate-driven rule is the seasonal Cityhopper hold embargo described above.
CDC Requirements for Dogs Entering the U.S.
KLM directs US-bound dog owners to complete the CDC Dog Import Form, with dogs aged 6–12 months needing it at least 15 days before departure. Dogs must be microchipped and at least 6 months old, and travelers need a digital or paper copy of the completed form at the airport. See Rabies Vaccination Requirements for International Pet Travel for the complete federal picture.
Related Guides
Rabies Vaccination Requirements for International Pet Travel
Importing Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Dogs
Choosing Cabin vs. Cargo for International Pet Travel
Air France Pet Policy
Pet Travel Glossary
