Stroller Strategies: Navigating Airports With Ease

If you're travelling with a baby or toddler, you'll need to know how to handle a stroller at the airport and in flight. There are three ways to bring a stroller on board your flight: checking it with your luggage, bringing it on board as part of your carry-on, or gate checking it. If you decide to check your stroller, ask the ticketing agent for a plastic bag to keep it clean while it's in the cargo hold. You'll also need to remove your child and fold up the stroller before putting it through the X-ray machine at the airport security screening checkpoint.

Checking strollers with your luggage

When you go through security, you'll need to remove your child from the stroller and fold it up before putting it through the X-ray machine. If you're lucky, your airport will have a designated line for families to make this process less stressful. Once you've made it through security, head to the gate counter and notify an attendant that you need to check your stroller before boarding. They will give you a ticket to fill out and attach to the stroller or stroller bag.

It's important to note that checking your stroller at the gate is different from checking it with your luggage. Gate-checking allows you to use the stroller while you're still in the airport and only turn it over to the crew upon boarding. To gate-check your stroller, you'll need a gate tag, which you can ask for at the gate once you've made it through security. Don't wait until boarding when the attendants might be too busy to entertain your request.

Bringing strollers on board as carry-on

When bringing a stroller on board as carry-on luggage, it is essential to consider its size and whether it will fit in the overhead compartment. If the stroller is too large, it may need to be checked at the gate. To avoid any last-minute hassles, it is advisable to arrive at the airport early and request a gate tag for the stroller before boarding. This allows parents to use the stroller in the airport and turn it over to the crew during boarding for loading onto the plane.

At the security checkpoint, passengers will be required to remove their child from the stroller and fold it up before putting it through the X-ray machine. Some airports may have designated lines for families to make this process less stressful. After passing through security, parents can continue using the stroller until it's time to board, at which point they can hand it over to the crew.

It is worth noting that some airlines offer early boarding for passengers travelling with young children or those who require assistance. This provides extra time to get settled before other passengers board the flight. Additionally, strollers are typically brought back up to the jet bridge after landing, allowing for a smooth departure from the aircraft.

Gate checking strollers

When travelling with a stroller, you have a few options. You can check it with your luggage, bring it on board as part of your carry-on and store it in the overhead compartment, or gate check it.

Gate checking a stroller allows you to use it while you're still in the airport and only turn it over to the crew when you board. You'll need a gate tag for this, which you can ask for at the gate once you've been through security. It's best not to wait until boarding when the attendants might be too busy to help.

When you get to the gate counter, notify the attendant that you need to check your stroller. They will give you a ticket to fill out and attach to the stroller. You'll then need to remove your child from the stroller and fold it up before putting it through the X-ray machine at the security screening checkpoint.

Large collapsible strollers and types that don't fold are typically only accepted as checked luggage, so it's best to call your airline if you're unsure. If you decide to check your stroller, ask the ticketing agent for a plastic bag to keep it clean while it's in the cargo hold.

Stroller size restrictions

When travelling with a stroller, you'll need to decide whether to check it or carry it onto the plane. Large collapsible strollers and types that don't fold are typically only accepted as checked luggage, so it's best to call your airline if you're unsure. If you decide to check your stroller, ask the ticketing agent for a plastic bag to keep it clean while it's in the cargo hold. You can also gate check your stroller, which allows you to use it while you're still in the airport and turn it over to the crew when boarding. You'll need a gate tag for this, which you can ask for at the gate once you've made it through security. If you think your stroller is too big to fit in the overhead bin, you'll probably want to check it at the gate. Airlines offer early boarding for those who require assistance or are travelling with young children, so try to arrive before the pre-boarding time.

Stroller security screening

When it comes to strollers, there are a few options for how to handle them at the airport and during your flight. You can check it with your luggage, bring it on board as part of your carry-on and store it in the overhead compartment, or gate check it. If you decide to check your stroller, ask the ticketing agent for a plastic bag to keep it clean while it's in the cargo hold. If you gate check it, you can use the stroller while you're still in the airport and turn it over to the crew only upon boarding so it can be loaded onto the plane. You'll need a gate tag for this, which you can ask for at the gate once you've made it through security.

At the security screening checkpoint, you'll be expected to put your stroller through the X-ray machine. You should remove your child and fold it up before it's your turn. If your stroller is too big to fit in the overhead bin, you'll probably want to check it at the gate. Airlines offer early boarding for those who require assistance or are travelling with young children, so try to arrive before the pre-boarding time.

Frequently asked questions