Traveling in an airline these days can be exhausting, confusing and annoying. With the rules and regulations that you are allowed to bring on board every day, and with each airline setting its own rule, it’s impossible to understand what you can and cannot do.
Traveling with a baby or toddler makes flying about 100 times harder, it seems. Therefore, most parents prefer to move around busy airports using a pushchair. Traveling with a stroller may definitely make it easier for you, but before you book your next flight, we have compiled a list of specific rules and regulations regarding the transportation of your baby’s stroller during your flight.
Most airlines consider the stroller part of the baggage, which, fortunately, is not subject to any additional baggage fees. In other words, you can have your usual manual and personal goods, like everyone else, and bring the stroller as an extra item for free. Most airlines require you to check the stroller so that it does not fit under your seat or in top containers. But since most wheelchairs do not fit into these spaces, checking the gate is the way to go. Some airlines also have wheelchair size restrictions. Most of them either recommend or even require your stroller to be a small stroller with an umbrella. Hawaiian Airlines does not specifically allow strollers. Other airlines do not have a specific rule for this, so this may mean that it is open to interpretation. If you are planning to bring a stroller or another large stroller, you can call the airline just before the trip to find out if it is suitable for this.
Here is a list of several airlines and their specific rules that we collected on the basis of what was published on the official websites of the airlines on September 9, 2009. Remember that these rules may change at any time, so be sure to check with your airline before you to make sure that the same rules apply. Not all airlines were specific in writing their rules on strollers, so we put what we could find. For more information, contact the airlines directly.
Air Canada: One stroller must be checked at the gate, in addition to two items of checked baggage.
French Airlines: Children under 2 years of age are entitled to a special allowance of 10 kg plus one luggage for luggage, as well as one of the following items: a foldable pushchair, a cot or a car seat.
Alaskan Airlines: Strollers and car seats can be checked for free.
Allegiant: Each passenger paying the fare is allowed to take a stroller or car seat in the landing zone. A stroller or car seat can also be checked at check-in. If the stroller or car seat is delivered to the gate, they will be checked.
American: You can carry one bag plus one personal item per passenger. You can also bring an umbrella stroller on your lap or a ticket child in addition to your two portable items.
British Airways: Allowed one fully collapsible stroller.
Continental: Continental takes one stroller in addition to the baggage allowance for customers. When checking in, all oversized and excess payments are applied as baggage. The cost of the first and second amounts does not apply to either the stroller or the car seat. Continental is not responsible for damage to wheelchairs. Excessive valuation cannot be acquired for strollers. If you travel with a stroller and car seat in addition to the baggage allowance, only one of these items is transported free of charge.
Delta: Strollers will be checked for free and are not counted as part of standard baggage. Strollers can be checked on the curb, ticket counter or at the gate.
Live: Strollers can be taken as inspection of the gate, if necessary, subject to payment of standard baggage and are calculated on the allocation of two checked items by the passenger.
Frontier: Strollers should be checked.
Hawaiian Airlines: The first and second checked fees per bag do not apply to strollers, with the exception of running or large wheelchairs. You can check your wheelchair at the gate or at the reception for free, accompanied by an adult passenger with tickets. Strollers are not allowed to register gates.
JetBlue: A baby can have one diaper bag, one stroller and one car seat on its lap. Infants who fly for free are not eligible for registered baggage authorization. Strollers are considered a “special item” that can be transported free of charge in addition to your usual portable items. He can get on board if he fits in the upper or lower seat, otherwise he must be checked.
KLM: In the cabin you can take a small, fully collapsible stroller. It should be able to fit in the upper compartment or use the seat in front of you. The stroller can always be checked in as baggage check-in at no extra charge.
Midwest Airlines: Strollers are not subject to extra baggage.
Northwest: One fully foldable umbrella-style stroller can be carried on board in addition to the baggage allowance. Strollers can be rented on board if space is available. Otherwise they should be checked. In the case of free baggage allowance, there is a charge for domestic or international flights.
Southwest: Customers traveling with babies will be allowed to check one stroller per child free of charge (this is in addition to the normal free baggage allowance). Strollers can also be used as portable items or can be checked at no extra charge.
USA: Strollers can be checked to your final destination without charge, in addition to the normal baggage allowance. United strongly recommends using an umbrella stroller when traveling. Umbrella pram can be placed on board the aircraft when space allows, instead of your carry-on baggage. Large, non-folding or heavy strollers are uncomfortable, and objects are not designed to accommodate these items. United is not liable for damage caused by strollers that are not packed in a box and checked at the front desk.
US Airways: If you pay 10% of the adult fare for an infant who is required to fly an international flight, you are allowed to have 1 fully foldable baby stroller. On domestic flights you can use the stroller free of charge in addition to checked baggage.
Virgin Atlantic: Strollers are permitted, but must be subjected to radiography.
