Traveling with babies and strollers on airplanes can be confusing with rules varying between airlines. Here you will find many answers to your questions. Whether you are wondering if you can bring a stroller onboard in the cabin, if there is a charge, (there isn’t), how to gate check a stroller or where you collect your pushchair after the flight. All this, plus many airlines stroller policies are listed below.
Find Out Everything You Need to Know About Strollers on Airplanes
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Can you take a stroller on a plane?
There are 3 main options to bring a stroller on a plane.
- Generally, most airlines allow you to bring a stroller AND a car seat (to be placed in the aircraft hold, with the rest of your luggage) free of charge in addition to your normal baggage allowance, when flying with a baby under two. (See below for each individual airlines stroller policy as they do vary, with some only allowing one piece free of charge whether an infant or older child.) Always check with your airline before as policies can change from time of writing.
2. Some airlines will permit compact umbrella strollers to be placed (free of charge) in the cabin in the overhead lockers, if space is available.
3. On other airlines, if your travel stroller fits within the airline carry on luggage size requirements, it may be brought on board in place of your cabin baggage.
What size stroller can you take on an airplane?
The general rule over size, is they must be fully collapsible. You can still take travel systems on most airlines (See below for full details on your airline). (A travel system is basically a full-size, stand-alone stroller and a compatible infant car seat that clips into the stroller when you’re on foot or into the car when you’re on (big) wheels.)
You can usually keep the pushchair with you until boarding, and have it ‘gate checked.’ Where do gate checked strollers go? Gate checked means your stroller has usually been tagged with the destination tag at Check- in and allows you to use the stroller around the airport and take it through to the boarding gate.
Prior to boarding you will be asked to collapse your stroller, to allow the staff to load into the plane with the rest of your bags. If it is a particularly small travel or cabin sized stroller, you may be allowed to bring it in the cabin, depending on the airline policy and how full the flight is. This applies for umbrella strollers too.
Can I bring a pushchair as cabin baggage?
Sometimes. If you want to take your stroller on board with you, it will normally need to fit within the assigned size limit for cabin baggage, so this would only really be feasible with a smaller buggy or pushchair. Some airlines will let you take a collapsible stroller on top of your other hand baggage at no extra charge. This stroller is a great carry on size.
Can you bring an umbrella stroller on the plane?
Sometimes. Some airlines will let you take a collapsible stroller on top of your other hand baggage at no extra charge. This does often depend whether there is space in the cabin. See below for full airlines policies.
How do I protect my stroller when flying?
I have personally seen what can happen to bags and how travel strollers, pushchairs, buggies etc can be thrown around carelessly by some airport baggage handlers. My father used to see it all the time as an aircraft engineer too.
Using a stroller bag can mean you can store some extra items to help pad it out and offer some protection, like diapers/nappies, a cuddly toy, blanket etc. (This way, you get a little bit of extra baggage, but shhhh, keep that quiet!)
When you are traveling with a stroller, try and gate-check your stroller if possible. There are more people around, meaning more eyes to see that luggage is handled more delicately!
If you can find one, I recommend padded strollers bags for air travel, over just a normal bag. Although you could pad a jumbo laundry or storage bag with nappies/diapers like mentioned above, it would be tricky to cover the entire stroller. A non-padded stroller bag only really helps keep a pushchair clean, and keeps all parts together but offers little protection.
It is always worth asking around friends if they have one you can borrow, as it is not an item you will use frequently. Or look on Ebay for a second hand one, which is what I did for my first pram, a Bugaboo. For more information on travel bags for strollers see this article.
How do you travel with a carseat and stroller?
If you are flying with an infant or child under two, most airlines will allow you to bring both for free in addition to your normal baggage allowance. As they will likely go in the hold, do think about protecting them adequately with a padded bag or using a lighter bag and padding with nappies/diapers.
| Airline | Allowed In Cabin – YES/NO | Full Stroller Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico | website does not say. | Passengers traveling with infants are allowed one piece of baggage and two other items (stroller, diaper bag or bassinet). These items should not exceed the maximum allowance of 23 kilograms/50 pounds and maximum linear dimensions of 115 centimeters/45 inches. |
| Air France | YES | You can transport a foldable stroller and a car seat in the hold at no extra charge. Some strollers may be accepted in the cabin, subject to space availability. Conditions apply, based on the type of stroller. – Small foldable stroller*: dimensions cannot exceed 15 cm x 30 cm x 100 cm / 5.9 in x 11.8 in x 39.4 in. – Other foldable stroller: it replaces the hand baggage allowance for infants, and its dimensions cannot exceed 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm / 21 in x 13 in x 9 in. In addition, it must be packed in a carrying case that covers it fully. Please note: for security reasons, some airports may have to deny access to strollers inside the boarding areas. * On international flights, except between continental France and Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Saint Martin, Cayenne, Réunion, Mauritius, Punta Cana, Havana, Santo Domingo. |
| Air New Zealand Stroller Policy | YES | Parents can take their infants or child’s stroller and/or car seat for no extra charge in addition to any other allowances, even if their fare does not include checked baggage. Single strollers with a completely collapsible frame and seat will normally fit in the overhead locker on 777-300, 777-200, 787-9 and A320 domestic aircraft only. On other aircraft, they must be checked because there is limited locker space. If the flight you are traveling on is full, airport staff may request that your stroller is checked. Prams, three-wheeled jogger-style buggies and larger strollers do not fit in the overhead locker and must be checked on all aircraft. |
| Alaska Airlines Stroller Policy | YES | You may bring your child’s car seat and stroller free of charge as checked baggage. You can check these items with your other baggage, or wait until you reach the gate area. Strollers can be checked at the gate or with your regular checked baggage at the ticket counter. A stroller may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit. This is based on space availability; space guaranteed only with the purchase of a ticket for the infant). |
| American Airlines Stroller Policy | N/A | Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge Strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding If you have a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate. |
| British Airways Stroller Policy | YES | If you have a small, fully collapsible and lightweight pushchair/stroller (with maximum dimensions of 117cm x 38cm x 38cm/46in x 15in x 15in when the pushchair is collapsed), you will qualify to take this right to the aircraft door and collect at the aircraft door at most airports. The staff will put your pushchair into the hold and will do all possible to return it to you at the aircraft door. Pushchairs that fold down into a carry bag, such as the Yo-Yo Zen and are within the maximum hand baggage dimensions, can be taken on board in place of, but not in addition to, your larger cabin bag. As with all larger cabin bags, this is not guaranteed to travel in the cabin, but our staff will make every effort to accommodate it so long as space is available. All other, larger pushchairs, including double and multi-piece pushchairs can be taken to the departure gate, however, on arrival you must pick up these larger pushchairs at the baggage carousel in the baggage hall. |
| Cathay Pacific Stroller Policy | YES | An umbrella-type collapsible stroller or any type of foldable stroller within the standard cabin bag size and weight after folding (if cabin stowage is available) Baby buggies must be checked in. An approved car safety seat A small bag of food and nappies (for consumption on the flight) is also allowed. |
| Delta Stroller Policy | N/A | Strollers can be checked free of charge at the curb, the ticket counter or the gate. Children’s strollers and seat restraints are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can easily be checked for free. In addition to one bag carry-on allowance, you may bring a booster seat, other infant seat or bassinet on the plane as an additional free item, which is still subject to carry-on size restrictions. If you carry on an infant seat or bassinet, it must be secured tightly by a seatbelt to be stored on an aircraft seat. |
| easyJet | YES if it meets hand baggage size. | If you are travelling with a child who requires them, you can bring two items for free with you. These include a travel cot, pushchair, double pushchair, buggy, car seat, collapsible or non-collapsible pram, booster seat and/or baby back carrier (please check they are suitable to take on board) |
| Emirates | YES | Infant baggage allowances vary depending on whether the Weight Concept or Piece Concept applies. The allowance applicable will be mentioned on the infant ticket. Weight Concept: Infants have a baggage allowance of up to 10kg (22lb), which is included as part of the infant ticket price Piece Concept: Infant tickets include one piece of baggage, regardless of cabin class. This piece must be 23kg (50lb) or less, with total dimensions (length width, height) not exceeding 150cm (59 inches). Cabin baggage Passengers travelling with infants in any class are also permitted one (1) handbag for inflight necessities and infant food (weight must not exceed 5 kg/11lb) and one (1) fully collapsible stroller or carry‑cot as a carry‑on item, as long as cabin space is available and you are not bringing a child seat. If no space is available in the cabin, the stroller/carry‑cot must be transported as checked baggage in the hold. Handbag: 55 x 38 x 20cm (22 x 15 x 8 inches).Passengers traveling with infants in any class of service are permitted one handbag for infant food (weight must not exceed 5 kilograms/11 pounds) and other inflight necessities. Note: You can also ask the check‑in staff if space is available for you to carry any one of these items on board free of charge: Fully collapsible stroller/pushchair Infant’s carrycot Infant’s car seat |
| Etihad | N/A | You are permitted to carry one pushchair or carrycot or car seat for free, in addition to your child’s checked baggage allowance. Guests arriving in Abu Dhabi are welcome to use one of the airline’s complimentary orange strollers, which are available in the terminal, close to the gate. |
| EVA Air Stroller Policy | YES | Some special items are not suitable as check-in baggage due to their nature and you can request permission to carry them in the cabin. Such baggage should be stored in the closed overhead bin or under the seat. If it cannot be placed in the locations mentioned, it will be treated as cabin baggage and you will be charged for an extra seat, including One infant’s carrying basket or fully collapsible stroller, pushchair, car seat, or CARES harness. A small fully collapsible stroller can be stored in the overhead bin if there is space available. A large stroller must be accepted as checked baggage only. Before the stroller is checked, please remove the stroller accessories to avoid loss. |
| Frontier Stroller Policy | A stroller and car seat may be checked free of charge when traveling with a child. A diaper bag may be carried on free of charge when traveling with a child. | |
| Hawaiian | YES | Strollers are allowed to be checked free of charge. Your stroller must be checked-in if it is: Non-collapsible Weighs over 50 lbs |
| Japan Airlines | YES | You may use your baby stroller up to the boarding gate at some airports. Inquire with airport personnel if this is possible when you check-in. Space on board is limited, so checking-in your stroller is strongly encouraged (though it does not say required). Checked strollers will be returned to you as quickly as possible upon arrival. Please use the free baby stroller service provided by your departure airport at Narita International, Kansai International, Chubu Centrair International, Frankfurt International (Germany) and London Heathrow (UK). |
| Jet2 Stroller Policy | If you’re travelling with an infant or child, a collapsible pushchair and/or a car seat and/or a travel cot can be carried in the hold free of charge, as long as the total weight of these items doesn’t exceed 10kg. You can take a pushchair to the plane, where it will have to be collapsed and loaded into the hold by our team. You can pick it up again on the baggage reclaim carrousel at your destination. | |
| JetBlue baby Stroller Policy | When traveling with a lap infant, airlines like JetBlue allow you to bring several items free of charge, such as a diaper bag and a stroller or car seat. On the flip side, children who travel for free don’t enjoy a checked luggage allowance, so you should pack anything you need in the child’s diaper bag. This includes snacks, toys, bottles, diapers and clothing changes. | |
| KLM | YES | Umbrella strollers (max. 15 x 30 x 100 cm / 6 x 12 x 39 inches) may be taken into the cabin, if space allows for it. If it does not fit underneath the seat or in the overhead baggage compartment, crew will take it into the hold at no extra charge. Larger buggies must always be checked in. If facilities allow it, you may wheel your child in the tagged buggy to the departure gate. At the gate, the buggy must be handed in for loading. The buggy may be covered with a protective cover, but this cannot contain any other items. |
| Lufthansa | YES | A car seat, folding buggy or pram, or a baby seat may be transported as carry-on baggage free of charge. Further information on this is available on the Carry-on Baggage page, where the airline states that the stroller counts as the passenger’s one allowed piece of carry-on baggage. |
| Malaysia Airlines | YES | You have two options for stroller check-in: Option 1: You may check the stroller at the check-in counter. Option 2: You may hand over the baby stroller at the aircraft door. Because storage space is limited in the aircraft cabin, the acceptance of baby prams/strollers as cabin items will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the storage space is taken up, these items will need to be loaded in the aircraft hold. |
| Qantas | Most mainline Australian airports have strollers available for you to use once you have checked your own personal stroller. Staff will be on hand at the boarding gate ready to collect the stroller and to assist you further with pre-boarding the aircraft. | |
| Ryan Air | NO | You can carry 2 items of baby equipment free of charge per child (1 pushchair + car seat, booster seat or travel cot) Children’s pushchairs can be used up to the aircraft steps and after landing the pushchair will be available at the aircraft steps (provided local conditions permit this). Please remember to ensure that your pushchair is tagged at the baggage drop desk or at the boarding gate. |
| Singapore Airlines Stroller Policy | YES | You may carry onboard any type of compact foldable light-weight stroller only if they meet the following requirements: The stroller must meet SIA’s standard cabin bag dimensions (up to 7kg and sum of length, width and height should not exceed 115cm) and must be able to be stored in the cabin overhead compartment. The stroller will be counted towards your cabin baggage allowance for your class of travel (i.e. your compact foldable lightweight stroller will be counted as 01 piece of cabin bag). The stroller must be folded and packed entirely into a suitable carrier bag prior to boarding. The stroller must not be opened and used in the aircraft cabin at all times. Compact foldable light-weight strollers will be checked in if there is no space in the cabin. Strollers that do not meet the above requirements will also have to be checked in. These strollers, when checked in, will not be counted as part of your checked baggage allowance. |
| Southwest Stroller Policy | N/A | Families can check a car seat and a stroller free of charge. Customers traveling with children will be allowed to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) or car seat per child without charge. This is in addition to the regular free baggage allowance. The stroller and CRS or car seat allowance applies to any type of stroller (umbrella, full size, jogging stroller, etc.) and CRS or car seat. The Customer may check the stroller and CRS or car seat at the curb, ticket counter, or gate. Southwest Airlines will not assume liability for damage to strollers, CRS’s or car seats. An optional Southwest-branded reusable car seat/stroller bag is available for purchase at any Southwest Airlines ticket counter for a $17 onetime fee. Bag dimensions are 42”X20.5X12.5”. |
| Spirit Airlines Stroller Policy | N/A | You may check one stroller and one car seat per child for no extra cost at the ticket counter. If you are traveling with two children, you can check a double stroller instead. You may also check these items at the gate. We’ll have them waiting for you in your arrival city when you get off the aircraft. You’re welcome to bring an FAA-approved child restraint system (car seat) or an FAA-approved Child Harness Device (CARES) onboard as long as a separate seat has been purchased for the child. We will do our best to reseat you to an open seat (not including our Big Front Seats) if the car seat is too large for a regular seat. Some FAA approved car seats may not always fit in certain Spirit Airlines aircraft seats. Car seats may not be accommodated in any seat equipped with an inflatable seat belt. Additionally, car seats may not be secured in an exit seat or the row before or after the exit seats. Keep in mind that their Big Front Seats are a premium product and are available for an additional charge. |
| SWISS Stroller Policy | YES | At most airports, you can use a folding pushchair or pram until shortly before boarding the aircraft. It will be returned to you directly upon arrival. When checking in your baggage, please ask our ground staff if you can drop off your pushchair or pram directly at the aircraft and collect it there on arrival, and also notify our staff if you need to use it at your connecting airport. Our ground staff at the gate will make sure that your pushchair or pram is loaded on to the aircraft. It will be returned on the passenger bridge if you arrive at a terminal gate, or directly at the aircraft steps if you arrive by terminal bus. If your pushchair or pram is not returned to you upon arrival, please contact the gate staff or the nearest customer service centre. Please bear in mind that delivery may take a few minutes. Delivery directly at the aircraft is not possible at the following airports: Berlin, Bilbao, Birmingham, Bremen, Catania, Copenhagen, Dar es Salaam, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Gothenburg, Hannover, London Heathrow, Nice, Olbia, Palermo, Rome, Stockholm, Valencia. You may bring your pushchair or pram with you free of charge. You may bring so-called “pocket buggies” on board as part of your free hand baggage allowance, provided they are packed accordingly and are no longer recognisable as pushchairs. |
| TUI Stroller Policy | N/A | Pushchairs are carried for free in addition to your luggage allowance. You can take your pushchair or buggy through security, right up until you get on the plane and its put into the luggage hold for you. You won’t usually get access to the buggy again until you get to the baggage reclaim area in your destination. |
| United Stroller Policy | YES | If you’re traveling with an infant or child, you can bring the following items on board in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item: Diaper bag, Breast pump and milk, Government-approved child seat (infant carrying seat or car seat) Compact folding stroller that meets our size guidelines for carry-on bags (9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches or 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches). United accept accept one stroller or folding wagon free of charge for each child in addition to a car seat. This includes children under the age of two traveling on an adult’s lap and infants traveling internationally on 10 percent of an adult fare, charged at the time of infant ticketing. You’ll have to check most strollers or folding wagons at the gate before you depart. You can still use them around the airport, though. Large, non-collapsible strollers or non-folding wagons can’t be checked at the gate, so please see a United representative at the airport check-in counter to check these items. |
| Virgin Atlantic | YES | You’re welcome to bring one fully collapsible pushchair and a car seat in addition to your free checked baggage allowance. Pushchairs can be checked in or used up until the boarding gate, when they’ll be put in the hold. Once we land we’ll have it ready outside the aircraft doors wherever possible. At some destinations, you may have to pick it up at the baggage hall due to local customs restrictions. Alternatively, the following foldable buggies are permitted in the cabin with you as your hand baggage: GB Pocket Britax Holiday SIlver CrossJet BabyZen YoYo |
| Virgin Australia | YES | What can I check-in as a special infant item*? Pram/stroller Portable cot Car seat Baby capsule 1 x 23kg bag What can I check-in as a special equipment item*? Pram/stroller Portable cot Car seat Baby capsule |
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Rugena
Friday 29th of July 2022
Do you know anything about Lynx Air? Appearantly strollers are an extra charge for children over 2 years of age. You can bring a car seat for free though... Just wondering if it is even regulated anywhere??
Carrie Bradley
Friday 5th of August 2022
Hi - it's not regulated and up to each airline. Definitely worth a trying to bring it though as still the majority of airlines allow both and usually a ground agent will do check in rather than a member of the the actual airline. Please do let me know how you get on!
Erich Musick
Saturday 23rd of July 2022
Alaska Airlines policy differs from what is stated on this page. In addition to checking strollers for free, strollers may be brought on board:
"These items may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.: ... * FAA approved child/infant restraint seats to be occupied by a child, strollers (based on space availability; space guaranteed only with the purchase of a ticket for the infant)."
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/carry-on-luggage/exceptions
Carrie Bradley
Monday 25th of July 2022
Thank you - this must have updated since I wrote the article. Really appreciate you letting me know and helping me keep information current!
Vincent Jennings
Thursday 21st of July 2022
My daughter travelled ( solo) from Brisbane to Dublin recently and the stroller which she needed to transport her 4 year old and 2 year old sons was taken at baggage check-in in Brisbane and tagged all the way through to Dublin. 3 hours in Brisbane, a very chaotic transfer in Doha and a very long walk from the plane to the baggage carousels in Dublin Airport. The carrier was Qatar Airways. Did not happen on previous trips with Emirates, Ethiad or Lufthansa, is it to do with fewer ground staff- my daughter had actually paid for the childrens seats but failed to get an acceptable customer service.
Carrie Bradley
Friday 22nd of July 2022
It could be do to with less staff available and also on many transfer flights all items, including strollers will be tagged to final destination and not brought up for connections. A few airlines will make an exception but it often also depends on the airports involved too:-(