Flying With a Baby on KLM: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated April 2026

Infant lap seat policy and fees

KLM charges 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2, in line with British Airways and TAP Air Portugal. The absolute amount varies by fare — on a short hop to Amsterdam from a UK regional airport, it's minimal; on a long-haul fare to Singapore, Nairobi, or New York, 10% of the adult fare can be more significant. Always calculate it based on the actual adult ticket price before booking.

KLM's standout policy is its absence of a minimum age. Of all the airlines reviewed here, KLM is the only one with no stated minimum age for infant travel — newborns can technically fly from birth. In practice, medical guidance recommends waiting at least a week before flying, and it's worth speaking to your midwife or GP before flying with a very young baby. But for families who need to travel urgently with a newborn, KLM's policy is uniquely permissive.

KLM operates a one infant per adult rule. The maximum number of infants per flight varies by aircraft. Infants cannot be seated in exit rows.

Bassinet / skycot availability

KLM provides free bassinets on intercontinental routes — long-haul flights to destinations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and other intercontinental destinations. These are not available on short-haul European services operated by KLM or KLM Cityhopper. The specific limits are:

• Maximum weight: 10 kg
• Maximum length: 65 cm
• Free of charge
• Must be pre-booked — bassinets attach to bulkhead rows and are limited in number. Book as early as possible — popular routes to Bangkok, New York, and Nairobi can have bassinets allocated weeks in advance.

The 10 kg and 65 cm limits are slightly tighter than BA's 12.5 kg maximum, which is worth noting if your baby is already on the larger side. The bassinet attaches to the bulkhead wall in front of the first economy row. KLM allocates the bassinet-equipped seat when you pre-book. Once your baby exceeds either limit, the bassinet can no longer be used safely. For long-haul overnight flights with a young baby — Amsterdam to Singapore is 12+ hours, Amsterdam to New York is 8 hours — bassinet access is a meaningful difference to the experience. Compare KLM against BA and TAP on our airline comparison page to find the best fit for your specific route.

Pushchair and stroller rules

KLM follows the same approach as most European carriers: pushchairs must be gate-checked at the boarding gate, free of charge. No pushchairs are permitted in the cabin regardless of folded size — this includes compact cabin-approved models like the Babyzen YOYO² and Bugaboo Butterfly.

Your pushchair is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival. When connecting via Amsterdam Schiphol, your pushchair will be held at the gate of your arrival flight and transferred to your connecting flight's gate — but always confirm the process with KLM staff when handing it over, as procedures can vary. For protection during hold handling on long-haul flights, a lightweight gate-check bag is well worth having. See our complete flying with a baby guide for more on gate-checking your pushchair.

Car seat policy

KLM permits both forward and rear-facing car seats in the cabin when a separate seat is booked and paid for the child. This gives KLM the same flexibility as British Airways and TAP — a meaningful advantage over Wizz Air (rear-facing only) or Aer Lingus (no cabin car seats at all). The car seat must meet KLM's approved requirements — check the current list on KLM's website before travel, as not all models are accepted.

For families flying to destinations where a car seat will be needed on arrival (North America, for example, where car seat laws are strictly enforced), travelling with your own car seat in the hold is the most practical option. KLM allows car seats in the hold free of charge. Our guide to car seats on planes covers what to look for in an aviation-approved model and how to protect it for hold travel.

Formula, breast milk, and baby food

On flights departing UK airports, the standard UK exemption applies: breast milk, formula, and expressed milk are exempt from the 100 ml liquid restriction. On flights departing Amsterdam Schiphol, the same EU exemption applies — Schiphol security staff are generally experienced with baby milk at the screening lanes. Carry what you need for the full journey, including connection time in Amsterdam.

KLM cabin crew can warm formula or baby food using hot water on request. KLM offers baby meals on some routes — check when booking whether a baby meal is available for your specific flight. On long-haul routes, the meal timing and composition may matter more, so confirm in advance. See our breast milk and formula at UK airport security guide for UK-side rules.

Nappy bag and extra hand luggage allowance

KLM's infant bag allowance is the most generous of all airlines reviewed here: an extra bag up to 12 kg, in addition to the adult's standard cabin baggage. This is more than double the extra allowance offered by Ryanair (5 kg) or Wizz Air (10 kg), and considerably better than airlines where the nappy bag must fit within the adult allowance altogether.

Twelve kilograms is a very generous allowance for a baby bag. On a long-haul flight, you can pack comprehensively: nappies, wipes, multiple changes of clothes, formula for the full journey, snacks, toys, and a travel blanket — without having to compromise. Our baby hand luggage checklist helps you plan what to include, though with 12 kg available you have significantly more flexibility than with most carriers.

Booking tips: how to add an infant to a KLM booking

• Book direct on klm.com: Add the infant passenger type during booking. You'll provide the baby's name and date of birth. The 10% infant fare is calculated automatically based on the adult fare.
• Request the bassinet early: If you're on an intercontinental route and your baby is under 10 kg and 65 cm, request the bassinet at the time of booking or as soon as possible after. Bulkhead seats with bassinet fittings are limited, and popular routes fill quickly. Don't wait until check-in — it will often be too late.
• Schiphol connections: Amsterdam Schiphol is KLM's hub, and many UK families route through it for intercontinental travel. Schiphol is a well-organised airport with good family facilities. If connecting, build in at least 90 minutes — ideally more — to handle the gate-check pushchair transfer, nursing or feeding needs, and any queues.
• Flying Dutchman / SkyTeam status: KLM's frequent flyer programme offers benefits including priority boarding and lounge access for higher-tier members. If you're a regular KLM or SkyTeam flyer, your status may cover priority boarding with a baby — worth checking before adding it as a paid extra.
• Seat selection: With a lap infant, you'll need to sit next to your co-travelling adults. Don't rely on KLM assigning adjacent seats without selection — book seats together when making the reservation, particularly for bulkhead rows if you've requested a bassinet.

Our take on KLM with a baby

KLM is one of the strongest choices among the airlines reviewed here for long-haul travel with a baby. The combination of bassinets on intercontinental routes, a 12 kg extra baby bag allowance, no minimum age, and a flexible car seat policy makes it genuinely family-friendly in ways that budget carriers simply aren't. The Amsterdam hub is well-run and reasonably baby-friendly, making connections manageable. The 10% infant fee is standard for a full-service carrier and the absolute cost is reasonable on most routes. If you're planning a long trip — to Asia, North America, or sub-Saharan Africa — and your baby is under 10 kg and 65 cm, KLM's bassinet availability makes it worth comparing directly against British Airways on the same route. For the full side-by-side comparison across all 10 airlines, see our airline comparison page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does KLM have bassinets?

Yes — KLM provides free bassinets on intercontinental (long-haul) routes. The maximum weight is 10 kg and maximum length is 65 cm. Bassinets must be pre-booked and are attached to bulkhead seats. They are not available on KLM's short-haul European services or KLM Cityhopper flights.

How much is an infant ticket on KLM?

KLM charges 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. The absolute cost varies by route and adult fare class — on short hops to Amsterdam it's modest; on long-haul fares to Asia or the Americas, 10% of the adult fare is a more meaningful amount. Calculate it based on the specific adult fare when booking.

What is the minimum age to fly on KLM?

KLM has no stated minimum age — newborns can fly from birth. This is unique among the airlines reviewed here. In practice, it's worth consulting your midwife or GP before flying with a very young baby. Carry your baby's birth certificate and passport regardless of age.

Can I take a pushchair on KLM?

Your pushchair travels free but must be gate-checked — it cannot go in the cabin. This applies to all pushchair types including compact models like the Babyzen YOYO² and Bugaboo Butterfly. It is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival.

What is KLM's baby bag allowance?

KLM allows an extra bag up to 12 kg for parents travelling with a lap infant, on top of the adult's standard carry-on allowance. This is the most generous extra infant bag allowance of any airline reviewed here — significantly more than Ryanair's 5 kg or Wizz Air's 10 kg.

Does KLM allow car seats in the cabin?

Yes — both forward and rear-facing car seats are permitted when a separate seat is booked for the child. The car seat must meet KLM's approved requirements. Car seats also travel free in the hold if preferred. Our car seat on a plane guide explains the full rules.

Is KLM good for long-haul travel with a baby?

KLM is one of the best options for long-haul travel with a young baby, particularly for babies under 10 kg and 65 cm who qualify for the free bassinet. The generous 12 kg baby bag, no minimum age, and flexible car seat policy all add up to a notably baby-friendly offering for a full-service carrier. Compare it against British Airways and TAP on our airline comparison page for your specific route.

Last updated: April 2026. KLM policies are subject to change — always verify on KLM's website before travel. Compare all airline baby policies on our airline comparison page.

Compare other airlines

Every airline has a different baby policy. Compare your options before you book:

• Ryanair — £25 fee, 5 kg nappy bag, gate-check only
• easyJet — ~£27/flight, cabin stroller, infant bag allowance
• British Airways — 10% fare, free bassinet long-haul
• Jet2 — Free infant travel, cabin stroller
• TUI — Variable fee, gate-check only, no bassinet
• Wizz Air — £27–32, rear-facing car seats only
• Vueling — Flat fee by route, extra 5 kg baby bag
• TAP Air Portugal — 10% fare, bassinet on A330/A321LR
• Aer Lingus — Transatlantic bassinet, no cabin car seats
• Lufthansa — Long-haul bassinets, Frankfurt/Munich hub
• Emirates — All-fleet bassinets, baby meals on request
• Turkish Airlines — Bassinets, wide global route network

For a full side-by-side table covering all airlines, see our airline baby policies compared page.