# How to Change Date of Birth (DOB) in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines?

To change DOB [phone] navigate to KLM's "My Trip" page online or contact airline support directly to correct passenger details before your scheduled flight departure.

Comprehensive Guide: How to Change Date of Birth (DOB) in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Traveling internationally involves a maze of logistics, from packing the right adapters to ensuring your passport has enough validity remaining. Amidst the excitement of planning a trip to Amsterdam or connecting through Schiphol to the rest of the world, it is easy to make a small data entry error during the booking process. One of the most critical pieces of information attached to your flight reservation is your Date of Birth (DOB).

While a misspelled street address or a forgotten middle initial might sometimes slide by, your Date of Birth is a mandatory security element required by government authorities, particularly for flights crossing international borders or entering the United States. An incorrect DOB can lead to issues with check-in, delays at security checkpoints, or even the denial of boarding.

This extensive guide explores every aspect of how to change your Date of Birth with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. We will cover why accuracy matters, the difference between a simple correction and a legal change, step-by-step methods for updating your information, and the specific nuances for Flying Blue members.

Why Your Date of Birth Matters in Air Travel
Before diving into the "how," it is essential to understand the "why." In the past, airline tickets were simpler, and security was less stringent. Today, aviation security relies heavily on data matching. When you book a flight, the airline is often required to transmit your passenger data to government authorities in the destination country prior to departure.

Secure Flight and APIS
For example, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates the Secure Flight program. This program matches your name, gender, and date of birth against government watchlists. If the date of birth on your ticket does not match the date of birth on your government-issued ID (like your passport), the system may flag you for additional screening or inhibit your ability to print a boarding pass at a kiosk. This is known as an APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) mismatch.

If your DOB is wrong, you might find yourself unable to check in online. You might arrive at the airport only to be told that your reservation does not match your passport, creating a stressful rush to fix the issue before the bag-drop counter closes.

Assessing the Situation: Typo vs. Profile Change
The process for changing your DOB depends heavily on where the error exists and the type of ticket you hold.

1. The Simple Typo on a Booking
If you are a guest user (not logged into a frequent flyer account) and you simply mistyped the year or month while booking a ticket, this is a transactional error. The DOB is attached to that specific PNR (Passenger Name Record).

2. The Flying Blue Profile Error
If you are a member of Flying Blue (the loyalty program for KLM and Air France) and your date of birth is wrong in your permanent profile, this error will populate every time you make a new booking. Fixing this requires updating the core account details rather than just a single ticket.

3. Legal Identity Changes
In rare cases, a passenger may have a legal change of date of birth (due to clerical errors on birth certificates that were later rectified legally). This requires more documentation than a simple typo fix.

Method 1: Changing DOB via "My Trip" (Self-Service)
KLM prides itself on a robust digital interface. For many minor data entry corrections, the "My Trip" section on the KLM website or mobile app is the first place to look.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access the Website: Go to the official KLM website.

Locate My Trip: Look for the "My Trip" tab on the homepage.

Log In: Enter your booking code (a six-character alphanumeric code found on your confirmation email) and your last name.

Passenger Details: Once inside the reservation, navigate to the "Passenger Details" or "Passenger Information" section.

Edit Information: Look for an "Edit" button next to your personal information.

limitations of Online Editing: It is important to note that while you can often add or update APIS data (passport number, expiry date, and country of residence) easily online, changing the Date of Birth or Name is sometimes restricted. If the field is greyed out, it means the system has locked that data point to prevent fraud or identity mismatching. If you cannot change it yourself in "My Trip," you must contact support.

Method 2: Updating a Flying Blue Profile
If you are a loyal KLM flyer, your personal data is stored in your Flying Blue account. It is vital to keep this up to date to ensure miles are credited correctly and security data is accurate.

How to Update:

Log into Flying Blue: Visit the KLM or Flying Blue website and log in with your email/Flying Blue number and password.

Go to Profile: Click on your name in the top corner and select "My Profile" or "Dashboard."

Personal Information: Navigate to the section holding your personal details.

Edit DOB: Attempt to edit the Date of Birth field.

Verification Requirements: Unlike a phone number or email address, a Date of Birth is a "hard" identifier. Flying Blue often prevents users from manually changing this field to prevent account theft or merging errors. If you cannot change it manually, you will usually see a prompt to "Contact Customer Service" or a form to upload a copy of your passport to verify the correct date. This ensures that the person requesting the change is the actual account holder.

Method 3: Contacting KLM Customer Contact Center
If online methods fail (which is common for DOB corrections to prevent security triggers), you must speak with a KLM representative. This is the most reliable way to resolve the issue.

Preparing for the Call
Before you contact the airline, have the following ready:

Booking Reference (PNR): The six-character code (e.g., ABC123).

Passport: You may need to read out the exact details or email a copy.

Flying Blue Number: If applicable.

Channels of Support
KLM offers several ways to reach out. Choosing the right one depends on your urgency.

1. Social Media (WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter/X): KLM is famous for its social media customer service. They are often faster and more efficient on these platforms than traditional email.

Send a private message stating: "Hello, I have a Date of Birth error on my booking [Reference Code]. The correct DOB should be [Date]. Can you assist?"

They may ask you to verify your identity by confirming other details or sending a secure link to upload a passport image.

2. Telephone Support: If your flight is departing within 24 to 48 hours, call the official customer service line for your region. Speaking to a human is the fastest way to ensure the Secure Flight data is updated immediately.

Explain clearly: "I made a typo entering my Date of Birth. It matches my passport, but the ticket has the wrong year."

Ask for an email confirmation once the change is made.

3. At the Airport: If you only notice the error when you arrive at the airport, proceed immediately to the KLM check-in desk or the ticket sales desk. Do not try to go through security with mismatched data.

Present your passport and your itinerary.

The agent can usually update the APIS data right there at the terminal.

Note: It is much safer to do this hours in advance rather than minutes before boarding.

Costs and Fees
A common worry for passengers is the cost associated with changing details.

Correction vs. Change:

Corrections are usually free: If you are simply correcting a date of birth (e.g., you wrote 1980 instead of 1990) to match your passport, KLM generally does not charge a fee. This is considered a data rectification, not a "change of person."

No Ticket Transfer: You cannot use a DOB change to transfer a ticket to a different person (e.g., changing the DOB and Name completely). That would be a name change, which is often prohibited or requires buying a new ticket.

However, if your ticket was issued by a travel agency (like Expedia, Booking.com, or a brick-and-mortar agent), KLM might refer you back to them to make the change. Travel agencies may charge their own service fees for administrative work.

Third-Party Bookings (Expedia, Skyscanner, etc.)
If you booked your KLM flight through a third-party website, KLM's agents might have limited access to modify your ticket until the check-in window opens (usually 24 hours before flight).

The Process for Third-Party Tickets:

Contact the Agency First: Your first point of contact should be the agency that sold you the ticket. They own the reservation until it is handed over to the airline.

Request an APIS Update: Ask the agency to update the "Secure Flight Passenger Data" or "APIS details."

Last Resort: If the agency is unresponsive, you can sometimes update this data on the KLM website using the "My Trip" feature, as APIS data is often separate from the financial ticketing data.

Partner Airlines (Delta, Air France, Virgin Atlantic)
KLM is part of the SkyTeam alliance and has a close joint venture with Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic. This leads to "codeshare" flights. You might have a KLM ticket number (starting with 074) but fly on a Delta plane, or vice versa.

Who do you call?

The Marketing Carrier: If your ticket says KLM on the top, contact KLM.

The Operating Carrier: Sometimes, if you need to update data for a flight operated by Delta, you might need to do it on Delta's website using the partner confirmation code provided in your booking email.

Usually, updating the DOB on the "marketing" carrier's side (where you bought the ticket) will push the message to the operating carrier, but it is wise to check both if you have access.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Ignoring the Issue: Do not assume "it is close enough." A DOB mismatch is a primary reason for TSA delays. If the automated scanners flag you, you will require a manual review, which takes time and adds stress.

2. Waiting Until the Gate: Gate agents are busy boarding the flight. They have limited time to type in passport details. Always resolve data issues at the check-in counter before you head to security.

3. Confusing Date Formats: KLM is a European airline. Europe typically uses the Day/Month/Year (DD/MM/YYYY) format. The United States uses Month/Day/Year (MM/DD/YYYY). When entering dates on international forms, always double-check the format labels to ensure you aren't swapping the month and day (e.g., entering 05/03 for May 3rd, when the system reads it as March 5th).

Checklist for a Smooth Correction
To summarize the process, follow this mental checklist if you discover an error:

Verify the Error: Check your confirmation email against your passport.

Try Self-Service: Log in to "My Trip" on KLM.com and see if the API/Passenger info section is editable.

Prepare Documents: Have your passport and booking code in hand.

Contact Support: If the website is locked, message KLM on WhatsApp or call their service center.

Confirm: Ask for an updated email itinerary or verify the change in the app.

Check-In Early: On the day of travel, arrive slightly earlier than usual to ensure the check-in kiosk reads your passport correctly.

Conclusion
Changing a Date of Birth on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ticket is a manageable administrative task, provided you act promptly. While it may seem like a minor detail, in the world of modern aviation security, accurate data is the key to a seamless journey.

Whether it is a simple slip of the finger on a keyboard or an outdated profile in your Flying Blue account, KLM provides multiple avenues—from digital self-service tools to responsive social media support—to help you rectify the mistake. By addressing the error as soon as it is discovered, you ensure that your focus remains on the destination and the enjoyment of your flight, rather than on administrative hurdles at the departure gate. Always remember: your passport is the ultimate source of truth. Ensure your ticket matches it exactly, and your travel experience will be smooth, secure, and stress-free.