Flying KLM with Kids: Bassinets, Bluey Kit & Family Boarding

Per KLM's published policy, infants under 24 months at the time of travel pay 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes and surcharges on all KLM-operated flights. Because KLM operates no domestic Netherlands routes, every KLM itinerary is treated as an international fare, and the 10% infant charge applies universally. This contrasts with US legacy carriers such as Delta Air Lines or United Airlines, where domestic lap-infant travel is free. The effective cost on a transatlantic route depends on the adult base fare and applicable surcharges — always review the full infant ticket total in the booking confirmation. Always verify the current rate directly at klm.com before booking.

Per KLM's published policy, infants under 24 months may travel as lap infants on a fare-paying adult's ticket and do not require a separate seat. However, purchasing a child seat is permitted and is recommended by aviation safety authorities including EASA and the FAA, who advise that children travel in an approved child restraint system for maximum safety during turbulence and in the unlikely event of an emergency. If a seat is purchased for an infant, a UN-ECE R44-, R129-, or FAA-approved car seat may be used in-cabin. The child ticket price is higher than the 10% lap-infant fare but includes the full adult baggage allowance for the fare class. Always verify your car seat's approval labelling before travel.

Per KLM's published policy, bassinets are available on 777, 787, and A330 long-haul aircraft at bulkhead positions and must be reserved by contacting the KLM Contact Centre directly — they cannot be booked through the standard online seat map. The weight cap is 10 kg (22 lb) and the length cap is 65 cm, which is the industry's strictest length restriction across all surveyed carriers. Parents should call as early as possible after completing the initial booking, as bassinet positions are limited to typically 2–3 per Economy cabin. A bulkhead seat selection fee may apply under Light fare conditions. Confirm bassinet allocation on your updated booking receipt before travel. Verify the current availability and process directly at klm.com.

Per KLM's published policy, ticketed children aged 2 and above receive the same checked and carry-on baggage allowance as an adult in the same fare class — no child-specific reduction applies. Lap infants travelling on the 10% infant fare are entitled to one free checked item up to 10 kg on international routes, in addition to a stroller and car seat checked free of charge. A diaper bag carried for an infant is exempt from the standard carry-on allowance. Children who purchase a seat also receive the standard personal-item allowance. Always check the specific allowances for your booked fare class at klm.com, as Light fares have more restrictive carry-on terms.

Per KLM's published policy, unaccompanied minor (UM) service is mandatory for children aged 5 through 14 travelling without an accompanying adult. The fee is EUR 75 per segment on intra-European routes and EUR 100 per segment on intercontinental flights. Children under 5 are not accepted as unaccompanied minors under any circumstances. Children aged 15 through 17 may travel without adult accompaniment and are treated as standard adult passengers, though optional UM service may be requested. Connections are permitted on KLM-operated and Air France-KLM joint-venture-metal itineraries. Booking must be completed via the KLM Family Service Centre by phone. Always verify the latest eligibility and routing restrictions at klm.com before booking a solo-child itinerary.

Per KLM's published partnership with BBC Studios, KLM distributes a licensed Bluey Junior Jet Lag Kit to passengers under 2 years of age on long-haul flights. The kit includes a Bluey-themed passport holder, activity book, and bib. This partnership is unique among European-legacy carriers — Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic each offer their own onboard children's kits (comforter plush, Lumi-the-Bear, activity pouch, and Sky Squad pack, respectively), but none holds a BBC Studios Bluey licence as of 2026. Bluey is a trademark of BBC Studios — the partnership is a licensed arrangement and is subject to change. Verify current availability at klm.com before assuming the kit will be available on your specific route and aircraft.

Per KLM's published policy, the bassinet length cap on 777, 787, and A330 aircraft is 65 cm — the strictest by length across all 28 carriers surveyed for this guide. For context, Air France's cap is 70 cm, Lufthansa's is 67 cm, and Singapore Airlines leads at no published length restriction with a generous 14 kg weight cap. In practice, many infants reach or exceed 65 cm between 5 and 8 months of age, meaning the bassinet may become unusable before the infant reaches the 10 kg weight limit. Parents are advised to measure their infant before booking and to contact the KLM Contact Centre to discuss individual circumstances. If the bassinet is not viable, bringing an approved infant carrier for in-arms flights is the practical alternative. Always verify directly at klm.com.

Per KLM's published policy, lap infants can be added to a booking in most cases via the My Trip self-service portal on klm.com after the adult ticket has been completed. This frictionless online process distinguishes KLM from its sister carrier Air France, which requires passengers to call or use the in-app chat for post-booking infant additions. However, KLM bookings that include codeshare-operated segments, group fares, or award redemptions may not support online infant addition — in those cases, the KLM Family Service Centre should be contacted. Always save the updated booking confirmation showing the infant as a passenger, and bring proof-of-age documentation such as a birth certificate or passport to the airport on travel day. Verify at klm.com before assuming online add is supported for your specific itinerary.

Per KLM's published policy, a child fare discount is automatically applied at booking when a passenger is entered as 'child' (typically ages 2 through 11) in the traveller selection on klm.com. The discount applies to Standard and higher fare buckets on both intra-European and intercontinental routes. However, Light fare tickets — KLM's lowest-priced tier — are excluded from the child discount, and children travelling on Light fares pay the full adult Light fare price. This mirrors the policy of sister carrier Air France. For families booking long-haul transatlantic flights, comparing the total cost of Light fare at adult pricing versus Standard fare with child discount is advisable — the discount may offset some or all of the Standard fare premium. Verify current child fare availability at klm.com.

Per KLM's published onboard service, sterilised baby food jars are available on long-haul KLM flights and do not require advance pre-order — cabin crew carry a stock and distribute on request. This is a practical convenience that benefits parents of infants who have started solid foods, as it removes the need to pack multiple food jars in carry-on luggage. For children aged 2 and above, a special children's meal (SPML) can be pre-ordered at least 24 hours before departure through the My Trip portal. Per KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' published policy, kLM does not carry powdered infant formula as standard stock, so parents should bring formula in pre-measured quantities for the full flight duration. Bottle warming by cabin crew is available on request. Always verify current onboard service at klm.com.

Per KLM's published policy, strollers are checked free and returned at the jet bridge on mainline KLM-operated 777, 787, and A330 long-haul aircraft. However, KLM Cityhopper-operated E175 and E190 regional flights — which serve intra-European routes — may return strollers at the baggage carousel rather than the aircraft door. This distinction matters significantly at arrival: a carousel return means parents must manage an infant and any hand luggage through the terminal without the stroller until baggage claim. Always confirm the operating aircraft for your specific segment, and pack a compact infant carrier in your carry-on as a contingency for Cityhopper-operated legs. Verify stroller return procedures for your route directly at klm.com.