Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: No checked bagage TRANSFERS on July 21 for connecting flights

Right now there’s a lot of people scrambling to view all of Sarah Murdoch’s travel light videos - whew!

Jean!! 😆😆

My word…this is unbelievable. I am wondering if people were surprised at the airport when they checked in today.

The airport only posted that alert a couple hours ago. People on the other side of the world have already packed their bags and some have headed to the airport, some are already in flight on their way there. Lots more people will show up in the next few hours to check in for their flight to Europe via AMS with bags to check, expecting to connect from AMS to other European airports. Maybe their airline will refuse to accept their checked bags when they check in, or maybe the airline counter staff will not have received the word and their bags will be loaded. Maybe their bags will end up in a heap somewhere in Schiphol.

What could possibly go wrong...

And we thought that it was bad when we flew trough there in May! I feel for all the travelers going through there, but also for those working there. I would suspect there are going to be some very disgruntled people!

Good lord. Exactly right, David.

This is just .... wow.

I always thought Schipol was one of the better run mega-airports. I generally enjoyed connecting through it assuming I allowed at least 2.5 hours.

I am glad I can schedule vacation times after school opens and the summer rush is over. It will be much better then. Right?

Honestly this is going to take months to clean up. There is luggage all over these airports in Europe. The problem is that because they have failed to move out the luggage it's reached the stage where they don't even have room to do their job with incoming luggage....

Here's an article on today's mess, you have to translate (Google did that for me automatically :) )

https://nos.nl/artikel/2437677-storing-schiphol-klm-overstappers-alleen-nog-met-handbagage

Wow. We transferred via AMS on KLM to delta on the 17th with checked bags. We had liquid souvenirs that had been packed. I guess you dump that stuff? Our extra liquids would also have to be tossed, not tragic but annoying. Yes our roller bags were carryon size but there were signs saying KLM and airfrance were 20 pounds carryon plus personal item. From what we watched rollers were weighed and people were being forced to check them if over, people were taking items out of rolly and moving to backpacks. Our backpacks were not weighed (RS appenzell) but we checked 21 inch rollers. And not to mention there was not even close to enough overhead space for each person to put a bag up above. Wow.

Now being covered by media:

Netherlands Times: Baggage system issues: Hand luggage only for KLM transfer passengers at Schiphol today

Crazy stuff. There's already no more room in the overheads; how in the world are the extra carryon suitcases being stuffed in the plane?

DebVT - That's exactly what I was about to say!

I think they are having most everybody gate check carry on bags. I have 3 friends the past week who received texts the morning of their flight from Schiphol and Frankfort airports that they would have to gate check bags. They had to wait quite awhile to get their bags checked.

Some poor woman on The Points Guy facebook group transited AMS to Vienna yesterday for a three week trip. Her checked bags did not make it to Vienna with her. She had Air Tags in them and seems (naively, to me) to believe that the Air Tags will show them arrive in Vienna any minute now. Other people in the thread are relating stories like, I transited AMS on July 4 and still don't have my bags.

Update: KLM has provided some additional details and clarifies their policy (a little).

They are now saying the ban on checked bag transfers only applies to flights that originate in Europe, connect in AMS, and continue on to another European airport.

Here's what's now posted on their website:

Operational issues at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

We’re currently facing operational issues for flights departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, leading to long waiting times at the airport. Here’s our up-to-date overview with more information and tips on what you can do.

If you travel from another airport, please note that during this summer, many are facing similar challenges. Please find information about local constraints and waiting times on the airport's website of your departure.

Schiphol’s baggage system malfunction

What is the result of the malfunction?
On Wednesday, 20 July, Schiphol’s baggage system malfunctioned. As a result of this disruption, KLM could not process baggage during a significant part of the day. Unfortunately, thousands of suitcases of our passengers were left behind in Amsterdam.

Is the baggage system working again?
Yes, the baggage system is working. However, measures are still in place and might affect your flight on Thursday 21 July.

What preventive measures has KLM taken?
To prevent passengers from being harmed further, measures are in place on Thursday 21 July. Passengers departing from a European destination and flying to another European destination – with a transfer in Amsterdam – can only take hand baggage with them. Alternatively, passengers can rebook their flight.

This measure does not apply to passengers departing from the Netherlands and does also not apply to passengers whose final destination is Amsterdam.

Taking this measure gives us room to send as many suitcases as possible that were left behind on Wednesday.

Can I rebook my flight or request a travel voucher?
f you are not able to travel with hand luggage only, you can choose to rebook your flight free of charge or request a travel voucher yourself in just a few steps. To view your options, simply log in to My Trip on KLM.com using your booking code and last name.

Rebook flight (link)
Request a travel voucher<link>

Other notes:

It's not entirely clear if this limitation is only for KLM (which admittedly is the largest operator in AMS) or if it's impacting other airlines, too. The messaging is all coming from KLM (I've seen not a single word about this from other airlines), so it appears other carriers may not be doing this.

I'm reading elsewhere that KLM has not been consistent in their rebooking policy. Some reports of people saying they can't manage with carry-on only have requested to rebook on another date, but have been told they have to pay the standard (expensive) "change fee" to rebook on another date when checked baggage will be allowed; some others have said they were rebooked with no additional charge and no fuss. Not exactly KLM's finest hour.

They still have not clearly defined what constitutes "Europe" for the purposes of this exercise (the EU? Schengen? the Holy Roman Empire?) but that will soon be moot.

The good news is that the sun will be setting shortly in Amsterdam, and in a few hours this no-checked-bags policy should just be part of our memories of the Summer of Travel Challenges (until the next thing happens).

Hug your kids. And your suitcases.

OK, so I did not understand that this is just KLM? Not Schiphol?

There is nothing on the Schiphol website but the information is on the KLM site for KLM passengers. There is nothing on the Delta website even though they codeshare with KLM.

My friend and her 3 travel companions returned to US from Schiphol on July 2 and none of them have their luggage or any information as of today July 21.

Well, for once, I am speechless.

I know this was just for yesterday but got an email from KLM's president/CEO this morning as I am sure many others did. Here is the important part:

"If you have flown recently or are planning to do so in the coming weeks, you will have noticed that airlines and airports all over Europe were not sufficiently prepared to cope with rapidly increasing numbers of passengers. This has also impacted many KLM passengers, and I sincerely apologize to those of you who experienced a disruption or lost a suitcase when flying with KLM this summer. We simply must do better, and in addition to earlier actions, we have taken several steps to improve our performance:
• We reduced the number of flights swiftly to go back to the reliable service and quality you may expect from KLM
• We don’t sell all our available seats and therefore keep some seats available for passengers who have missed a flight or had their original flight cancelled. We apply the same policy to luggage if needed
• We have extended transfer times between flights, giving you more time to make your connecting flight at Schiphol Airport and reducing stress for you and our airport staff serving you
• At the special request of Schiphol Airport, we are actively monitoring and managing the total number of Dutch passengers boarding at Amsterdam to ease the rush at security and customs checks at peak hours"

At least they are implementing a plan....