An emotional support animal is a great way to support a mental health condition and not let the symptoms of your condition prevent you from doing the things you love. Many people with an emotional support animal (ESA) gain immense value from their companion animal, and ESAs have been shown to greatly help with conditions such as depression and anxiety.
For many people, flying on an airplane is a situation that can trigger complicated feelings and emotions, and you may be wondering if you can bring your emotional support animal on a plane with you to help you cope with your flight.
Fortunately, many airlines do allow emotional support animals and service animals on board. It’s important to understand what your rights are when it comes to bringing an animal on board and what you might need to do to register your animal. We discuss KLM’s emotional support animal policy below.
Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed on KLM Flights?
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is a famous airline that offers flights all around the world. Although it is the flag carrier of the Netherlands, KLM flights can be found in most major cities.
Before 2021, KLM recognized emotional support animals (ESAs) and permitted them to fly free of charge. However, KLM’s policies have since changed to align with the changes to the federal Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and ESAs are no longer recognized as a type of service animal. Instead, emotional support animals must fly as pets. The only animals allowed on a KLM flight that are not required to adhere to pet rules are trained serviced animals, specifically service dogs.
KLM Pet Policy Overview
Below is a quick overview of the KLM pet policy; keep these items in mind when considering booking a KLM flight with your emotional support animal.
- Emotional support animals (ESAs) are no longer recognized by KLM
- All ESAs must travel under KLM’s Pet Travel Policy
- Under the Pet Travel Policy, animals incur fees when traveling
- Trained service dogs are permitted on flights free of charge
- Psychiatric service dogs are only permitted on flights to and from the US
Like other airlines, there are restrictions and requirements to be aware of to ensure your pet or service animal is allowed to fly. It is also essential to know what documentation is needed to ensure your faithful companion can travel with you.
While emotional support animals are no longer acknowledged as a special category on KLM flights, those wishing to travel with their ESA can still bring their animal under KLM’s Pet Travel Policy. The main difference is that handlers must pay a fee for the animal, and they are not given any special treatment, even if the animal is there to support a mental disability. Only trained service animals can travel for free.
Emotional Support Animal Flying – What to Know
If you want to take your emotional support animal flying with you on a KLM flight, it’s important to keep the following considerations in mind. KLM’s Pet Travel Policy adheres to both animal welfare guidelines and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
Under these restrictions, your emotional support animal is only allowed to fly with you if they are a cat or a dog; animals like snakes, rodents, or rabbits are not allowed. Cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin or luggage hold as necessary, and your cat or dog must be at least 10 weeks old. Your animal must also travel on the same flight as you.
Reserving a Spot for Your Pet
As there is limited space for pets in KLM’s aircraft, passengers are encouraged to make a reservation for their animal no later than 48 hours prior to departure.
KLM also has a pet checklist and a list of kennel requirements that you should read before you travel.
Pet Cabin Rules
If you want to bring your ESA into the cabin, it should fit into a kennel or closed pet travel bag. As the animal is required to fit into the seat in front of you, the kennel can be no bigger than 46 x 28 x 24 cm, and it (or the pet travel bag) can weigh no more than 8 kg.
As space is limited, your ESA needs to be small enough to fit into these dimensions while also being able to move comfortably. Pets are also not allowed to be taken out at any time during the flight.
Pets are not allowed in the cabin in Business Class or on an intercontinental route because it will not be possible to put them under the seat in front of you.
Pet Hold Rules
If your ESA is too large to travel in the cabin or weighs more than 8kg, you can bring them in the hold instead. Although they might not be next to you, you can still feel comfortable knowing your ESA is close by and will be there upon landing.
If you have more than one animal, you can put them in the same crate or kennel (no bigger than 122 x 81 x 89 cm) if they weigh less than 14kg each. Animals as large as 70kg can be accepted so long as the passenger notifies the airline in time and has the appropriate documentation.
Pets cannot be brought in the hold if passengers have a transfer time of more than 3 hours or if their flight is in a Boeing 787-9 or 787-10 aircraft. Also, passengers on some KLM Cityhopper flights (operated with Embraer aircraft) cannot bring pets in the hold between 1 November and 31 March.
Pets Not Permitted in the Hold
KLM restricts some snub-nosed animals from traveling in the hold because these breeds can experience breathing difficulties in stressful and high-temperature environments. However, snub-nosed breeds can travel in the cabin or cargo area. Check KLM’s website for a listing of the cat and dog breeds that fall into this category.
Costs for Traveling with a Pet
One of the biggest changes that ESA handlers face with KLM’s Pet Travel Policy is a fee associated with their animal. Bringing a dog or cat onboard a KLM flight can incur fees ranging from 80 to 100 dollars each way. The prices vary depending on the destination and departure airport.
Passengers can see how much the fee is for their pet when they make their reservation.
KLM’s Service Animal Policy
According to KLM’s Service Animal Policy, only dogs are considered service animals on their flights. Passengers with a trained service dog can travel with their animal free of charge. However, you will be asked to confirm that your dog is licensed and trained on the application form.
KLM also requires that fully trained service animals are well-behaved in public places. If your dog acts out at the airport or misbehaves, you may be asked for further proof of its training. If your dog is very poorly behaved, you may be denied boarding on your flight.
How to Apply
If you want to fly with your service dog on a KLM flight, you must fill out their application form and send it via e-mail at least 48 hours before departure. You’ll also need to include a copy of your animal’s passport, which indicates the breed, size, and weight.
Service Animal Cabin Rules
The cabin rules for service animals are similar to pets. Your service animal cannot occupy a seat. It’s also important they don’t impede another passenger’s legroom or block aisles and emergency exits. During the flight, your service dog must also wear a harness.
While service dogs are not subject to the same restrictions as pets, your dog must fit in front of you, either under the seat or within the empty legroom space. If the animal doesn’t fit, you will be offered an alternative seat within the same travel class. If no other seats can accommodate you and your service dog, you may be asked to travel on a different flight.
Additionally, if your flight is longer than 8 hours, you may be asked for documentation or confirmation that your service dog can travel for that duration without relieving itself or that they can do so in a sanitary way.
FAQs About Traveling With Companion Animals
Traveling with your service animal or emotional support animal can be confusing. We answer some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling with your companion animal below.
What Travel Documents Do I Need for My Pet or Service Animal?
For pets, support animals, and service dogs, the main required documents are vaccinations, travel documents, and health certificates. The exact requirements might vary depending on the location you are traveling to and the length of the flight, so be sure to consult directly with the airport that offers the KLM flight you plan to take.
Also, dogs and cats traveling within the EU must have an electronic chip for identification purposes. If you’re unsure about what your animal needs, check the embassies of your departure and arrival countries for more details.
The best way to ensure your pet or service animal can travel with you is to start the process early, informing the airline of your intentions and asking them about the needed documentation.
Are There Other Restrictions for Animals on KLM Airlines?
The fact of the matter is flying is complicated, and the first concern of KLM Airlines is to keep passengers safe, healthy, and calm during flights. Subsequently, there are restrictions the airline has that might prohibit some service animals and pets from traveling in the cabin.
For example, some cities might require that animals arrive as air cargo, although most cities accept service animals that travel directly with the passenger. Always check your departure and arrival embassy rules on pets and service animals before traveling.
Registering My Emotional Support Animal
While KLM Airlines does not accept emotional support animals, you can still register your pet as an official ESA to make sure that you can take advantage of federally protected housing rights within the United States. You will have to travel on KLM flights with your ESA as a registered pet, but once you get into your housing in the United States, your valid ESA registration – which is a letter written by a licensed mental healthcare provider – you will have the right to live alongside your ESA without paying pet fees or adhering to pet and breed restrictions.
US Service Animals can help you with the process of officially registering your emotional support animal easily and conveniently online.