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Flying KLM with a Cat in Cabin (2026): Fees, Carrier Size, Booking Steps & UK Rules

Flying KLM with a cat in cabin? Here are the exact carrier size and weight limits, which cabins/routes allow PETC, typical fees, how to reserve your cat’s spot, and the UK rule that catches travellers out.

GG

• 14 min read
Flying KLM with a Cat in Cabin (2026): Fees, Carrier Size, Booking Steps & UK Rules
Photo by David Syphers / Unsplash

Last updated: 11 December 2025

Flying KLM with a cat can be one of the smoother ways to do cabin travel in Europe, but the rules are tighter than most people expect.

This guide is here to make it simple and calm. You’ll get the hard numbers (carrier size and weight), which routes/classes work, what it typically costs, how to reserve your cat’s spot properly, and the UK restriction that catches people out.

If you’re still choosing your wider plan, these guides can help you:

If you’d rather go straight to the part you need, you can skip ahead using he section links below:

Quick answers (the essentials)

  • Yes, KLM allows cats in cabin — but only in Economy, and in Business within Europe. Pets are not allowed in Premium Comfort, or Business on intercontinental routes.
  • Carrier max (must fit under the seat): 46 × 28 × 24 cm.
  • Max weight (cat + carrier together): 8 kg.
  • Booking rule: reserve your pet as soon as possible after booking, and no later than 48 hours before departure (limited spots).
  • Onboard rule: your cat must stay inside the closed carrier for the flight (not on your lap).
  • Important UK catch: KLM states PETC (pets in cabin) and AVIH (animals in hold) are not permitted to travel to the UK as passenger baggage due to a UK government embargo; travel from the UK isn’t restricted in the same way.
  • Cost (broad range): KLM says pet fees vary widely by route and can fall roughly €70–€500 per one-way flight, but you’ll see the exact price when you reserve.

Eligibility: routes & travel class

Which KLM tickets actually allow a cat in the cabin?

KLM does allow cats in cabin, but only in the travel classes where there’s reliable under-seat space for a closed carrier. In practice, that means:

  • Economy Class: cats in cabin are allowed (on eligible routes).
  • Business Class within Europe: cats in cabin are allowed.
  • Not allowed: Premium Comfort Class, and Business Class on intercontinental routes (KLM’s reason is simple: no under-seat space for a kennel in those cabins).

If your booking is codeshare or operated by another airline, treat that as a “double-check” moment: KLM notes pet availability depends on the operating airline as well as aircraft and destination.

How many cats can you bring?

KLM’s cabin rule is clean: 1 cat (or dog) per passenger.
And there’s a second constraint that matters equally as much: space is limited per flight, and the number of pets KLM can accept varies.

So even if your cat qualifies, make sure you’ve actually reserved PETC (pets in cabin) against your booking.

Two small but important eligibility notes

KLM also states:

  • Your pet should travel on the same flight as you.
  • Your cat should be at least 15 weeks old.

Carrier size & weight limits

When people get refused at check-in, it’s almost always because one of these two limits wasn’t met: the carrier didn’t fit under the seat, or the combined weight was over the cap.

The two numbers that matter (and KLM staff will check)

1) Maximum carrier size: 46 × 28 × 24 cm
This is because your cat must travel under the seat in front of you in a closed travel bag/kennel.

2) Maximum weight (cat + carrier): 8 kg total

If you’re even slightly on-the-line, it’s worth choosing a soft-sided carrier that holds its shape but can compress a little under the seat rails. Our carrier guide can help you make the right decision here: Airline-Approved Cat Carriers: Under-Seat Sizes & Top Picks (2025)

What “fits under the seat” really means in practice

KLM’s limit is about external dimensions, not the “interior space” numbers that may be advertised online. So, best to aim for a carrier that:

  • doesn’t exceed 46 × 28 × 24 cm at its widest points (including seams and padding), and
  • still gives your cat enough room to shift position and settle without being squashed.

The in-flight rule that surprises people

KLM rules are clear and strict here unfortunately: your cat must stay inside the closed carrier for the flight.

This means that you’re not allowed to take them out mid-air “for a cuddle” or to calm them down. As a consequence, the carrier needs to be comfortable enough that your cat can ride it out safely.

Quick “clarity check” before you spend money

If your cat is near the 8 kg total limit or is long/tall enough that they can’t reasonably move inside a carrier that fits 46 × 28 × 24, cabin travel may not be fair (or workable) on KLM. That’s when you’ll want the fallback options we’ll cover later (“If your cat is too big for cabin”).

KLM Fees: What It Costs

Once you’ve confirmed your flight type and carrier setup, the next question is usually the one you’d rather not be surprised by at midnight: how much will KLM charge to add a cat to your booking?

KLM’s own guidance keeps it simple: you pay a pet-transport fee per one-way flight, and the amount depends on your departure airport and destination. In practice, that means the number can feel “random” until you actually run the reservation flow.

The realistic range (so you can budget early)

KLM states the fee can run from €70 up to €500 per one-way flight. That’s a wide band, but it reflects how differently routes are priced.

A good rule of thumb for your planning brain:

  • If you’re doing a simple short route, expect the fee to sit nearer the lower end.
  • If you’re doing longer or more complex routes, expect it to climb.

And if your journey is split into multiple one-way flights, assume you may pay more than once (you’ll see the exact total during booking).

When you’ll see the exact price

The big reveal comes at the end, and you’ll see the exact pet fee while making the reservation for your cat.

So after you book your ticket, you’ll get clarity while you’re reserving your pet spot (we’ll walk the step-by-step in the booking section).

A helpful mindset tip

Try to treat the pet fee as part of the flight cost, not an add-on you’ll “deal with later”. People get caught when they book a fare they can live with… and then discover the pet fee significantly changes the final costs.

How to book (so the cat spot is actually held)

With KLM, and generally with all carriers, the best thing is to avoid “assuming” your cat is coming because you bought a ticket. Space for pets is limited and depends on aircraft, destination, and the operating airline — so you want the pet reservation locked in as early as possible.

Here’s the booking process to follow:

  1. Book your flight first (get your booking code).
    You’ll need your booking reference to add a pet reservation.
  2. Reserve your cat immediately after booking (don’t wait).
    KLM explicitly asks you to reserve as soon as possible after booking, and no later than 48 hours before departure.
  3. Do the pet reservation via “My Trip”.
    That’s the channel KLM points you to for adding a pet to your booking.
  4. Check the price during the reservation and keep proof.
    KLM’s pet fee varies widely by route, and you’ll see the exact amount during the reservation flow. Screenshot/save the confirmation once paid.
  5. If anything changes, re-check PETC straight away.
    A schedule or aircraft change can change availability. If you can’t see your pet reservation clearly in your booking after a change, contact KLM promptly.
  6. If you’re booking through a travel agent (or want extra certainty), use KLM’s “temporary booking” idea.
    KLM notes you can contact their Customer Contact Centre to create a temporary booking including your pet — useful when you’re trying to avoid nasty surprises.

If you’re routing through Amsterdam and the timing is tight, it’s often kinder to plan an overnight and remove the stress from the connection. This guide helps you pick a genuinely cat-friendly option near the terminal:
https://www.travelwithcats.net/cat-friendly-hotels-near-ams-amsterdam-schiphol-verified-pet-fees-easy-transfers/

Important: the UK rule that changes things

If your journey involves the UK, there’s one constraint that catches people out — and it’s not about your carrier.

KLM states there’s a UK Government embargo affecting KLM flights, which means:

  • PETC (pets in cabin) and
  • AVIH (animals in hold)

Are not permitted to travel to the UK as passenger baggage. KLM also notes there are no restrictions on travelling with pets from the UK.

This usually means often involving specialist pet transport, or completing the final leg via an approved route.

If you’re in the “UK-bound + cabin isn’t possible” category, our cargo guide here should help a lot:
https://www.travelwithcats.net/iata-cat-travel-crates-for-cargo-long-haul-sizes-setup-top-picks-2025/

(And if you want to sanity-check the rule for your exact flight, KLM’s guidance is on their pet reservation page; they also recommend contacting their Customer Contact Centre for details.)

Day of travel: check-in & security

Travel day tends to feel “loud” at Schiphol — even before you add a carrier and the pressure of getting everything right. The best approach is a smooth process, rather than a perfect one.

Here’s a few key things that make that possible:

1) Before you leave for the airport (the calm starts here)

  • Feed lightly and early. Most cats do better with a small meal well before you set off, rather than a full meal right before check-in. If your cat is prone to nausea, keep it even lighter.
  • Water is fine. Offer water as normal; just don’t force it right before you travel.
  • Do one last litter break (even if they don’t use it). It reduces the chance of a mid-queue “accident panic.”
  • Carrier check (30 seconds): zips fully closed, nothing dangling, pee pad or towel settled flat, and your documents accessible without opening the carrier.

2) Arrive earlier than you think you need to

With a pet in cabin, you’re a passenger with a special case. So arriving early helps you deal with delays without excessive stress.

3) Check-in: what usually happens

Depending on the route and how you reserved PETC, you may be asked to:

  • confirm you’re travelling with a cat in cabin,
  • show any required paperwork for your destination,
  • confirm the cat stays in the closed carrier and travels under the seat.

If an agent wants a quick look, keep it simple: don’t unzip in the middle of a busy hall. Ask politely if there’s a quieter spot or a side counter for any checks. It’s a normal request.

4) Security: the moment that catches people out

Security is often the most awkward part, not because it’s unsafe, but because it’s unfamiliar.

What to usually expect:

  • Carrier screening. Staff may ask you to remove the cat briefly (procedures vary by airport and lane).
  • If you’re asked to take your cat out, do it slowly and close to your body, with a firm hold or harness if you use one.
  • Keep your voice low. Your cat doesn’t understand the process but they sure read your nervous system.

If you’re unsure what they want, ask one short question:
“Would you like the carrier through first, then I carry the cat?”
That one line often prevents a rushed, messy moment.

5) Boarding and the first five minutes on the aircraft

This is where you win the whole flight: stable placement and minimal fuss.

  • Put the carrier under the seat gently, keeping it level.
  • Once it’s down, leave it alone. Avoid repeated “checking” zips or poking fingers through mesh — that usually unsettles cats more than it helps.
  • If your cat vocalises: it’s common. Give it a minute. Most cats settle once engine noise becomes steady and the “newness” stops changing every 15 seconds.

6) In flight: what to expect

KLM’s cabin rule is essentially: cat stays inside the closed carrier for the flight. So your job becomes comfort-by-environment:

  • Keep movements calm and predictable.
  • Don’t open the carrier “just for a second.”
  • If you need to reassure your cat, do it with voice and stillness, not with extra handling.

7) Connections: how to keep it from unravelling

If you have a connection, treat it like a mini-reset:

  • Find a quieter corner away from the main flow.
  • Offer a small sip of water if your cat is receptive.
  • Do not open the carrier in public areas unless you’re absolutely sure it’s safe and permitted (and even then, most people are better off keeping it closed and stable).

If you’re overnighting at AMS between flights, that’s the moment to make the trip feel humane again: a quiet room, litter access, water, and decompression. (Link in your article to your AMS hotels guide is perfect here.)

8) Sedation / calming aids (keep this boundary clean)

The safest default messaging stays:

  • No DIY sedation.
  • If any medication is considered, it should be vet-directed and trialled well before travel day, never for the first time at the airport.

If Your Cat Is Too Big For Cabin

Sometimes you do everything “right” but you still land in an inevitable scenario:

If (cat + carrier) is over 8 kg, or your carrier can’t realistically fit under the seat at 46 × 28 × 24 cm, then KLM cabin travel (PETC) is off the table for that journey.

That doesn’t mean “you can’t travel”. It means you need to switch to the option that gives your cat more space, more stability, and fewer failure points.

First, do a fast reality check (so you don’t waste time)

  • Weight test: weigh your cat + the exact carrier you’ll fly with. If it’s over 8 kg, don’t try to “argue it” at the airport.
  • Fit test: if the carrier only “fits” when empty, squashed hard, or taller than the under-seat space, assume it’s a no on the day.
  • Cat comfort test: if your cat can’t turn around and settle in that carrier without looking folded, it’s not a kind long-haul plan even if it technically passes.

If you need help picking a carrier that actually matches airline limits (and not just marketing photos), use your main guide here: Airline-Approved Cat Carriers (Under-Seat Sizes & Top Picks).

Option 1: KLM “in the hold” (AVIH), when eligible

For cats that don’t fit cabin rules, KLM may allow travel in the hold on eligible routes, but it comes with stricter constraints (kennel rules, route/aircraft limitations, and limited capacity).

On the plus side, your cat gets a proper rigid crate with real headroom and a more stable base. The trade-off is that you’re now playing by cargo-handling rules, not cabin convenience.

If you’re in this territory, your next step is to move from “soft carrier” to “IATA crate”, because the crate setup is what makes this safe and psychologically manageable for your cat.

Your crate guide is here (this is the one to link in this section): IATA Cat Travel Crates for Cargo & Long-Haul.

Option 2: Cargo / shipping agent (when required)

Some routes, countries, or airline combinations effectively push you into manifest cargo (i.e. handled via a specialist shipper/agent rather than as passenger baggage). That’s not a punishment — it’s often just how certain destinations structure animal import.

If you hit that situation, the goal is to avoid panic-booking and instead make the plan “boringly correct”:

  • a compliant crate,
  • a route with fewer connections,
  • climate-safe timing,
  • and enough buffer to handle paperwork and handling steps calmly.

Your IATA crate guide above is still the right foundation — because even when a shipping agent is involved, the crate setup and sizing principles don’t change.

If “too big for cabin” also means “you’ll likely overnight at AMS”

KLM’s hub is Schiphol, and once your plan involves hold/cargo logistics (or a long international routing), an overnight near the airport becomes more common — sometimes by choice, sometimes because it’s the calmer option for everyone.

If you want the “cat-first” overnight plan at Schiphol (fees + transfers + email script), use: Cat-Friendly Hotels Near AMS (Amsterdam Schiphol).

A gentle closing note

People often feel like “cargo = I failed”. It usually isn’t.

For larger cats, long routes, or tight cabin rules, the kinder option can be the one that gives your cat space to stand, turn, and settle in a stable crate. A travel day designed around predictability helps a lot here.

If you want to zoom out and sanity-check whether any airline makes cabin possible on your route, this is your hub: Airlines That Allow Cats in Cabin (2025).

FAQs — Flying KLM with a Cat in Cabin (2026)

Can my cat sit on my lap during the flight?

No — on KLM, your cat must stay inside a closed carrier under the seat in front of you for the flight. Plan for comfort inside the bag (familiar-smelling cloth, calm acclimation), not for “taking them out to soothe them”.

What are KLM’s cabin limits again (size + weight)?

KLM’s PETC cabin carrier limit is 46 × 28 × 24 cm, and the total weight (cat + carrier) is 8 kg. If you’re borderline, focus on external carrier dimensions and remember under-seat space isn’t generous — this is exactly why the “right bag” matters. If you need help choosing one that actually fits, use: Airline-Approved Cat Carriers (Under-Seat Sizes & Top Picks).

Which KLM cabins/classes allow cats in cabin?

Generally: Economy is the safe “yes.” Business is only allowed within Europe (where there’s under-seat space). Premium Comfort is a no, and Business on intercontinental (long-haul) routes is also a no. If your itinerary mixes cabins (or codeshares), treat it as “not confirmed” until the operating airline confirms PETC for each leg.

When should I reserve PETC — and what’s the latest I can do it?

Reserve as soon as you’ve booked your ticket. KLM caps how many pets can travel per flight, so waiting is how people get stuck. KLM’s stated latest point is 48 hours before departure, but in practice you want it locked much earlier — especially on peak days and smaller aircraft.

Can I fly to the UK with my cat in cabin on KLM?

This is the trap: KLM does not allow pets (PETC or AVIH) to travel to the UK as passenger baggage due to UK rules/embargo. So if your trip ends in the UK, you’ll need a different plan (often: route into Europe and enter the UK via approved ground transport, or use cargo arrangements where required). If cabin isn’t possible and you’re looking at cargo properly, your fallback guide is: IATA Cat Travel Crates (Cargo & Long-Haul).

What does it cost to add a cat on KLM?

KLM pet fees vary by route and are shown during the reservation/paid-options flow. The key practical point: treat it like a limited add-on seat, not a casual checkbox — confirm the fee at the time you reserve PETC, and keep a screenshot/confirmation in your travel folder.

If my cat is too big for cabin, what’s the next best step?

If you’re over 8 kg total or your carrier can’t realistically fit 46 × 28 × 24 cm, stop trying to “make it work.” Your next move is either (a) hold travel (AVIH) when eligible, or (b) cargo/shipper when the route or destination requires it. Either way, you’ll want the crate sizing + setup done properly: IATA Cat Travel Crates (Cargo & Long-Haul).

Doing an overnight at Schiphol because of timing (or PETC availability)?

If the itinerary forces an overnight near AMS, don’t wing it at 11pm with a tired cat. Use your Schiphol hotel shortlist + transfer notes here: Cat-Friendly Hotels Near AMS.

Sources (Official)

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