Medicines and medical equipment
Bringing your medication
If you need medication during or after your flight, please 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.
Do you take medication? Always pack your essential medicines in your hand baggage, including enough for the first few days after arrival. This way, you’ll have them readily available.
Oxygen on board
In both cases, you will have to fill out the 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)? You can use your battery-operated device on board.
However, you can't use your POC on net power onboard. Bring enough fully charged batteries with you to power your device for at least 150 percent of the expected maximum flight time, in case of a delay. Please keep your batteries under the seat in front of you so they’re easy to reach when you need them.
Important: You can’t use power banks or batteries, including certified medical batteries, to power medical equipment onboard. Make sure you bring enough charged batteries for the entire flight.
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
You can always bring prescription medication on the airplane. Will you need the medication during or after 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.