Book special assistance at least 48 hours before departure 

Passengers traveling on KLM reservations can make special travel arrangements for assistance:

  • At the airport
  • While boarding and disembarking
  • During the flight 

Those who can avail of special assistance include:

  • Passengers with reduced mobility
    • Passengers traveling with their wheelchair
    • Passengers traveling with their walker
  • Passengers requiring developmental or intellectual assistance
  • Passengers requiring vision assistance
  • Passengers requiring hearing assistance
  • Passengers requiring extra space 
  • Passengers traveling with emotional support/psychiatric support animal (in-cabin)
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Passengers traveling with pets
  • Pregnant passengers

Note. 

The following services will not be provided (unless you’re traveling with a personal care attendant):

  • Assistance inside the toilet
  • Lifting a carrying passenger
  • Meal assistance to passengers 
  • Administer or supervise the taking of medications

What to Do if You Require Special Assistance on KLM

If you need any special assistance at the airport, during your flight, or after, contact KLM Cares at least 48 hours before departure about the service you need. 

KLM Cares’ contact details are as follows:

  • Phone (U.S.) +1-844-797-7723 (Mon–Sun, 07.00–22.00) 
  • WhatsApp Text Message +31206490787    (24/7)
  • Facebook Facebook (24/7)
  • Messenger Messenger (24/7)
  • Twitter Twitter (24/7) 

How to Request Special Assistance Online

To request special assistance services online on your KLM flight booking:

  1. Go to KLM’s official website: www.klm.com  
  2. Click on the ‘My Trip’ tab (on top) 
  3. Enter the following details:
    1. Your booking code
      (you can find it on your e-ticket or confirmation email)
    2. Your last name
  4. Click on the ‘Search’ button
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to select your flight and request special assistance 

Tips for Passengers Requiring Special Assistance on KLM

  • Passengers requiring vision assistance
  • Inform the ticket counter agent that you need help to reach the gate or check-in. 
  • Ask for arm assistance or a wheelchair when booking or at the airport (if required). Aircraft toilets have attendant call buttons in braille.
  • Flight safety cards in braille are also available. 
  • Passengers requiring hearing assistance
  • Inform a flight attendant or gate agent if you require help to listen to important flight updates. 
  • Open captioning is available for videos.
  • Passengers requiring intellectual or developmental assistance
  • Includes passengers with Alzheimer’s or Down syndrome who are traveling alone.
  • Ask for assistance to get on and off the plane, or board a connecting flight. 
  • Passengers requiring personal or continuous care—or those who cannot follow safety instructions—must fly with a dedicated safety assistant. 
  • Passengers requiring medical clearance for the conditions below must complete medical information form A, and their doctor must complete and sign medical form B and send it to KLM’s Airport Medical Services at least 48 hours before departure.
    • Passengers with a contagious disease.
    • Passengers requiring constant medical care or medical equipment throughout the flight.
    • Passengers with a life-threatening medical condition.
    • Passengers who cannot use the plane seat in an upright position.
    • Pregnant passengers with complications.
    • Passengers with psychological disorders traveling alone.
  • Passengers traveling with emotional support/psychiatric support animal (in-cabin)
  • Must contact KLM Cares at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Assistance animals other than dogs are not allowed. 
  • The animal must be at least 4 months old. 
  • You must be traveling on a direct flight from/to the United States.
  • Download the application form for emotional support dogs.
  • Obtain a signed declaration from your health care provider stating that you need to travel with your emotional support dog.
  • Send the completed form and signed declaration to KLM Cares.  
  • Reach the airport at least 30 minutes before the normal recommended time of arrival at the airport.
  • If traveling with a guide dog:
  • Passengers traveling with their wheelchair
  • Collapsible, foldable, or break-down type manual wheelchairs are allowed in the cabin, subject to the max. weight and size limitations.
    • Max. Dimensions
      • To/from U.S. 33cm x 92cm x 107cm/13in x 36in x 42in
      • Other 55cm x 35cm x 25cm/21.5in x 13.5in x 10in
    • Max. Weight 26lb/12kg 
  • Manual and electric wheelchairs can be transported as checked baggage.
  • Electric and battery-operated wheelchairs must be checked in. if traveling with one, reach the airport at least 1 hour before the normal recommended time of arrival at the airport.
  • Notify KLM at least 48 hours before departure.  
  • For size and weight limits per aircraft type, refer to this page. 
  • Foldable wheelchairs provided by KLM can be used onboard if required.
  • If requiring a seating solution such as an orthotic positioning device, contact KLM Cares at least 48 hours before departure. 
  • Unaccompanied minors
    • The Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory for children aged 5–14 traveling alone. 
    • For children between 15–17, the service is optional. 
    • All travel documentation must be in order.
    • Vaccinations and medicine requirements must be complied with per health advice for your destination.
  • Passengers traveling with pets
  • Pregnant passengers
    • Avoid flying if the pregnancy is 36 weeks or more, or during the first week after delivery.
    • If expecting more than 1 child, consult your physician. 
    • In case of complications, you must have written permission from your physician.
  • Passengers traveling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)
    • Only battery-operated POCs are allowed. 
    • Contact KLM Cares at least 48 hours before departure. 
    • Your POC’s batteries must be fully charged to power it for at least 150% of your flight’s duration incl. ground connection time and unexpected delays.
  • Passengers requiring supplemental oxygen 
    • The service is available on a paid basis. 
    • A Medical Information Form must be submitted at least 48 hours before departure.

Special Assistance Offered by KLM

KLM provides special assistance services to:

  • Passengers requiring vision assistance
  • Passengers requiring hearing assistance
  • Passengers requiring intellectual or developmental assistance, incl. passengers with Alzheimer’s or Down syndrome who are traveling alone
  • Passengers with a contagious disease
  • Passengers requiring constant medical care or medical equipment throughout the flight
  • Passengers with a life-threatening medical condition
  • Passengers who cannot use the plane seat in an upright position
  • Passengers with psychological disorders traveling alone
  • Passengers traveling with emotional support/psychiatric support animal (in-cabin)
  • Passengers traveling with their wheelchair
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Passengers traveling with pets
  • Pregnant passengers
  • Passengers traveling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)
  • Passengers requiring supplemental oxygen 

When to Book Special Assistance Services on KLM

To book a special assistance service, notify KLM at least 48 hours before departure about the service you need on the ground or during your flight. 

What to Do if You Require Special Assistance on KLM

If you need any special assistance at the airport, during your flight, or after, contact KLM Cares at least 48 hours before departure about the service you need. 

KLM Cares’ contact details are as follows:

  • Phone (U.S.) +1-844-797-7723 (Mon–Sun, 07.00–22.00) 
  • WhatsApp Text Message +1+31206490787 (24/7)
  • Facebook Facebook (24/7)
  • Messenger Messenger (24/7)
  • Twitter Twitter (24/7) 

You can also request special assistance services online, as explained below.

  1. Go to KLM’s official website: www.klm.com  
  2. Click on the ‘My Trip’ tab (on top) 
  3. Enter the following details:
    1. Your booking code
      (you can find it on your e-ticket or confirmation email)
    2. Your last name
  4. Click on the ‘Search’ button
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts select your flight and a request special assistance service

Are there any limitations to the special assistance services provided by KLM?

Yes, there are a few limitations. KLM will not administer medication, provide actual eating assistance, restroom assistance, or medical services onboard (unless the passenger is traveling with a personal care assistant).