Traveling by air can be a frustrating, confusing, and exhausting experience. It can be difficult to understand what you can and cannot bring to an airline, as there are constantly changing rules and regulations.
Flying with a toddler or infant is 100 times more difficult than flying alone. Many parents opt to use a stroller to get around airports. A stroller makes traveling easier. However, before you book your next flight we have compiled a list with specific rules and regulations for the carriage of your stroller on your flight.
A stroller is considered luggage by most airlines and, thankfully, does not attract additional baggage fees. You can bring your usual carry-on and personal items, but the stroller is allowed as an extra piece of luggage. If the stroller is not able to fit under your seat, or in the overhead bins, most airlines require you to gate check it. Gate checking is the best option, as most strollers cannot fit into these spaces. There are restrictions for the size of strollers on some airlines. Many airlines either require or recommend that you use a small umbrella stroller for your stroller. Hawaiian Airlines does not permit jogging strollers. It is possible that other airlines don’t have any specific rules. You may need to contact the airline before you fly if you intend to bring a jogging or large stroller.
Below is a list of many airlines and their regulations. This list was compiled using information published by the airline websites on September 9, 2009. These regulations can change at any moment. Please check with your airline before you fly to confirm. We have compiled what we could find. Not all airlines are exact in describing their policies regarding strollers. Contact the airlines for more information.
Air Canada: A stroller must be checked in at the gate.
Air France: Children below 2 years old are eligible for a special allowance, which includes one piece of cabin baggage and one item: a foldable stroller or bassinet.
Alaska Airlines: Car seats and strollers may be checked free of charge.
Allegiant Every fare-paying passenger can bring a stroller/car seat to the boarding area. At check-in, the stroller or car seats can be checked. The gate will inspect the stroller and car seat if it is brought to the gate.
American: Each passenger can bring one bag and one personal item. An umbrella stroller or ticketed child can be brought along with your two carry-on bags.
British Airways: A fully collapsible stroller may be used.
Continental: Continental will accept one stroller, in addition to the customer’s allowance for baggage. All oversize and overweight fees will be charged when the bag is checked as baggage. A stroller or car seat is exempt from the first and second bag fees. Strollers are not insured by Continental. Strollers may not be purchased with excess value. You can only bring one stroller or car seat with you if you have a baggage allowance.
Delta Strollers can be checked free of charge and will not count towards the standard baggage allowance. You can check your stroller at the curbside, at the ticket counter or at the gate.
Direct Air: Strollers can be accepted as Gate Check items if required, subject to the Standard Baggage Service fee and count towards a passenger’s allotment for two checked items.
Frontier: Strollers need to be gate checked
Hawaiian Airlines: Strollers are exempt from the first and second checked bags fees, with the exception of large or jogging strollers. If you are accompanied by an adult ticketed passenger, your stroller can be checked in at the gate or at check-in. Gate check-in is not open to strollers.
JetBlue A lap baby may bring one diaper bag and one stroller. One car seat is allowed. Infants who are traveling for free will not be eligible for the checked baggage allowance. Strollers can be brought on board for free as a “special item”. If it can fit under the seat or overhead, it may be allowed onboard. Otherwise, it must be checked at the gate.
KLM You can bring a small, fully collapsible stroller into the cabin. The stroller should fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment. You can check your stroller in as checked baggage, at no additional cost.
Midwest Airlines: Strollers do not have to pay additional baggage fees
Northwest A fully collapsible umbrella-style stroller can be brought onboard in addition to the allowance for carry-on luggage. If space allows, strollers can be brought onboard. If they are not allowed to be carried on board, they will need to be checked at the gate. If you have enough baggage to carry, there is no additional charge for international or domestic flights.
Southwest: Customers travelling with infants are allowed to bring one stroller. This is in addition to their regular allowance of free baggage. You can also use strollers as carry-on items, or they may be gate checked for no additional fee.
United: Strollers can be checked in to your destination for free, in addition to your regular baggage allowance. United recommends that you use an umbrella stroller while traveling. If space allows, umbrella strollers can be carried onboard the aircraft in lieu of your carry-on bags. Strollers that are large, heavy, and non-collapsible are difficult to fit into the facilities. United is not responsible if damage occurs to strollers that have not been checked at the check in counter.
US Airways: You can bring 1 fully collapsible stroller if you pay 10% for international flights for an infant. You best strollers for toddlers can bring your stroller on domestic flights.