Traveling with your cute little baby on a plane can be quite stressful, so bringing a stroller may help avoid at least some of the hassle at the airport, but can you take a stroller on a plane? And what are the airline rues for taking strollers on planes?
Here is the short answer: Yes, you can take a stroller on a plane, but only in checked luggage. Most airlines allow you to check one stroller for free at the ticket counter or at the gate. Some airlines allow small, collapsible strollers (umbrella strollers) in the cabin if they meet size restrictions, but you will need to check any large stroller at the airport.
In this post I will cover everything you need to know about, taking strollers, or even a double stroller on planes, what size they should be, and we also provide some of the new and best strollers on the market.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR
- Yes, you can bring a stroller on a plane when traveling with a baby.
- Most airlines allow one stroller per child for free, but you will need to gate check it at the gate or ticket counter.
- Small fully collapsible travel strollers may sometimes be allowed in the cabin if they fit carry-on size limits, but most strollers must be gate-checked before boarding.
- At airport security, you’ll need to remove your child and fold the stroller for X-ray screening.
- To avoid damage, it’s best to use a lightweight travel stroller and a protective bag.
Can You Take a Stroller Through the Security Checkpoint?
The TSA are the folks that screen and search bags and items for flights within and from the U.S Airports.
They didn’t rely mention strollers on their website, but they have a section about traveling with children.
You can bring a small stroller through the security checkpoint at any airport without any issue; however, the regular screening process will be applied to your stroller.
Here is what to expect at the airport.
- Place all carry-on baggage, such as children’s toys, bags, and blankets, on the X-ray belt for screening.
- Strollers, umbrella strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.
- Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag, or on the X-ray belt for screening.
- This means that you will need to take your child out and collapse it before you send it through the security.
- Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual/physical inspection by TSA officers.
I wanted to also find some answer from the AskTSA on their social media.
Kim asked the TSA on X (Formerly Twitter) if her 3-month-old could stay in the stroller while going through the security checkpoint.
The TSA customer service replied that infants must be removed from strollers and carried through the security checkpoint.
The stroller must be folded and placed on the X-ray belt for screening.
In addition to the stroller, you can also take other infant necessities, like infant snacks or an approved FAA car seat.
Generally, airlines and airports are helpful when traveling with infants; they allow passengers to bring the most necessary items.
Can You Take a Stroller As Carry-on?
Sometimes you can bring a stroller on board free of charge if it is fully collapsible, but it depends on the airline and if there is space available.
You can ask the airline staff at the check-in counter if space is available; otherwise, you will need to check your stroller at the gate.
You can still bring other items, like a child restraint system and a diaper bag.
| Strollers | Type | Carry-on (overhead Bin) | Checked luggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babyzen YOYO2 | Compact travel stroller | Usually fits overhead bins | Yes |
| GB Pockit / Pockit Air | Ultra-compact travel stroller | Yes (one of the smallest folded strollers) | Yes |
| Joolz Aer+ | Premium travel stroller | Often allowed in cabin | Yes |
| Bugaboo Butterfly | Compact travel stroller | Usually cabin-approved | Yes |
| UPPAbaby MINU | Compact stroller | Sometimes (depends on airline) | Yes |
| Baby Jogger City Tour 2 | Travel stroller | Sometimes | Yes |
| Graco Modes Pramette | Full-size stroller | No | Yes |
| Summer 3Dmini Convenience | Umbrella stroller | Usually too large for cabin | Yes |
| Baby Trend Expedition Jogger | Jogging stroller | No | Yes |
| UPPAbaby Vista V2 | Full-size stroller | No | Yes |
Can You Check a Stroller at The Gate For Free?
Most of the time, you will be required to gate-check your stroller free of charge. Some airlines may require proof of age to gate-check your stroller for free.
When you check in your stroller at the boarding gate, it will be delivered to you at the aircraft door at every point of your trip.
When checked in at the baggage counter, your stroller will be delivered at the luggage carousel at your final destination.
This passenger asked United Airlines if they could take a Bugaboo Twin stroller to the gate, and United customer service replied that they would be able to bring the stroller to the gate and then check it there.
Do Airlines Have Stroller Restrictions?
| Airlines | Stroller Policy |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | Each ticketed passenger 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 |
| Southwest | People traveling with children will be allowed to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System or car seat per child free of charge |
| Delta | You can check in the stroller at gate free of charge |
| Jetblue | You can gate check your stroller for free once you’re ready to board the aircraft. |
| United Airlines | You can gate check your stroller for free once you’re ready to board the aircraft. |
| Frontier Airlines | If you’re traveling with little ones and taking a stroller you can take it to the gate but it must be checked from there. |
| Alaska Airlines | You can bring your stroller on Alaska Airlines free of charge as checked baggage. you can choose to check your stroller at the gate or with your regular checked baggage at the check in counter. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Strollers are good to go, non collapsible strollers must be checked in. |
| Spirit Airlines | Spirit allowed one stroller per child to be checked at the gate free of charge. |
| Air Canada | You can check in your stroller free of charge at the gate, Air Canada strongly recommends the use of small collapsible umbrella type strollers. large or bulky strollers has to be checked in at the baggage counter. |
| British Airways | A small fully collapsible and lightweight pushchair/stroller will qualify to take to the aircraft door and collect it at the aircraft door at any airports. |
Do Strollers Get Damaged On Planes?
Nothing can fully prevent damage or loss during transportation.
The best solution is to avoid traveling with an expensive stroller and to use a collapsible stroller with a protective bag.
I checked X (Formerly Twitter) and found people who have shared previous experiences with different airlines.
Airline customer service is usually responsive and understanding, but compensation for damage may take time.
Can You Bring a Stroller On a Plane Without a Baby?
Yes, you can bring a stroller without a baby, but it will be counted as normal luggage.
The airline luggage rules will apply. If you are traveling with a small stroller, make sure to protect it using a cover or bag.
Can You Carry a Stroller on an International Flight?
When traveling with a baby, most airlines do not have a problem with taking a stroller to the gate, and most of them won’t count it as part of your luggage allowance.
You can choose whether to check your stroller at the check-in counter or take it to the gate and leave it with the airline staff before you board.
Final Thoughts
You can take a baby stroller, pushchair or buggy stroller on a plane when traveling with a baby free of charge, provided it is not too heavy., but you will be required to check the stroller at the gate.
It’s better to avoid traveling with an expensive stroller because most of the time you will not be able to take it on board, and strollers are not always handled carefully.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced a $1 billion initiative to make airports more family friendly, by adding new play areas, nursing pods, and family screening lanes, highlighting just how many families are navigating air travel with young children.
So airlines need to also ensure their policies, boarding processes, and baggage allowances support parents traveling with infants and toddlers, and make the process easier to bring strollers, car seats, and other essential gear without extra stress.
I hope this help
Happy travels
FAQs About Taking a Stroller on a Plane
-
Can you use a stroller on the plane?
No, you cannot use a stroller inside the airplane cabin. You can only use them in the airport. Most airlines will ask you to gate-check the stroller before boarding, and they will return it to you at the aircraft door after landing. -
What type of stroller can you take on board the plane?
Most airlines accept umbrella strollers or compact travel strollers. Very small fully collapsible strollers may be allowed in the cabin if they meet the airline’s carry-on size limits (around 22 × 14 × 9 inches / 56 × 36 × 23 cm). Larger strollers usually need to be gate-checked. -
How much does it cost to bring a stroller on an airplane?
In most cases, you can bring a stroller free of charge when traveling with a child. Most airlines permit one stroller per child to be checked at the gate or ticket counter without any additional fee. -
How can you protect a stroller from damage during a flight?
Strollers can sometimes get scratched or damaged when gate checked. So to reduce the risk, it’s best that you use a stroller travel bag, remove loose accessories, and fold the stroller securely before handing it to airline staff. -
Should you label your stroller when flying?
Yes, it’s actually a good idea to attach a luggage tag with your name, phone number, and email. This will make your stroller easy to identify it and help prevent mix-ups at busy airports. -
Can you bring a stroller on international flights?
Yes, of course most airlines allow strollers on international flights, usually with the same rules as domestic flights. However, size, weight and fee policies can vary slightly between airlines. -
Can you bring a stroller through airport security?
Yes, you can take your stroller through the security checkpoint. You will need to remove your child and fold the stroller so it can go through the X-ray machine or be inspected by security officers. -
How do you travel with a stroller and a car seat?
Many parents attach the car seat to the stroller frame or place it securely on top and strap it in while moving through the airport. Both items are usually allowed free of charge when traveling with a child, though they may be gate-checked if not used in the cabin. -
Can you bring a stroller on a plane without a baby?
Yes, but in that case the stroller will usually treated as regular luggage and may count toward your baggage allowance. Most airlines will ask you to check it at the counter instead of the gate because you will not use it.
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