Medicines and medical equipment

You can always bring medication onboard when prescribed by your doctor. Read more about bringing medicines, as well as supplemental oxygen and other types of medical equipment.

Bringing your medication

If you need medication during the flight, make sure to pack it in your hand baggage. We also ask you to bring a doctor’s prescription, written in English, for medication and any syringes. This way, customs or security officers can check the prescription if they have any questions.

Our aircraft have limited refrigerator space on board. If your medication needs to be cooled, we advise you to bring cold storage bags or vacuum flasks. Medications in small packaging can be stored in the onboard refrigerator.

Oxygen on board

Whether you’re bringing your own supplemental oxygen or you’d like us to provide it for you, make sure to contact us at least 48 hours before departure. Please also provide battery details (from type, capacity to certification) if you are using medical devices.

In both cases, you will have to fill out the medical information form:

Open medical information form

If you won't use your own supplemental oxygen on board, you don't need to fill out the medical form.

Oxygen provided by KLM

Please note that you’ll need to pay a fee of EUR 375 per flight when using supplemental oxygen provided by us.

The oxygen can be adjusted to the exact amount required for your medical condition (with a maximum of 5.2 litres per minute). Our cabin crew will assist you in the use of this equipment.

Bringing your own oxygen

Are you bringing your own supplemental oxygen, such as a portable oxygen concentrator (POC)? These devices can be used onboard if they are battery-operated.

It’s not possible to use your POC on net power onboard. Bring enough charged batteries with you. Your batteries need to last for at least 150 per cent of the expected maximum duration of your flight because of a possible delay. Please stow the batteries under your seat so you can easily reach them.

Important: Power banks may not be used on board to power medical equipment. Only certified medical batteries are permitted.

Other types of medical equipment

You may bring certain other pieces of medical equipment or aids with you onboard if they can be stowed under a seat or strapped to an adjoining seat:

  • Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) equipment
  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment
  • Respirators

 It’s not possible to use your POC on net power onboard. In-seat power outlets can’t be used for medical equipment because the power is unstable and not certified. Please bring enough charged batteries. Your batteries need to last for at least 150 per cent of the expected maximum duration of your flight because of a possible delay. Only internal or manufacturer-approved external medical batteries are allowed. These batteries should be stowed beneath the seat in front of you. Note: consumer power banks are not allowed for use on board. You can bring your power bank but can’t use it to power medical equipment.

Is your type of medical equipment not mentioned on this page? Please contact us to discuss the possibilities to bring it.

Frequently asked questions

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You can always bring prescription medication on the airplane. Will you need the medication during the flight? Then make sure to carry it in your hand baggage. If your medication needs to be kept cool, we recommend that you bring your own cooler bag or thermos. The fridge space on board is limited.

For all medication you bring, we ask you to have an English-language prescription at hand. This will be helpful during the customs and security check.

A medicine passport isn’t a legal travel document, but it can be useful. Do you use medication that falls under the Dutch Opiate Law? Then you need a medicine declaration. You can use that to declare your medication at customs. To be sure, check the Dutch government website.