Which Strollers Are Best For Flying on an Airplane?

As lockdowns come to a close and more people are allowed out of their homes, many are looking to jump right back into the life they’ve missed out on for the past several years. For many, this means travel. 

However, as is the nature of being quarantined for many years, there are bound to be some shifts in many people’s lives; most notably, the start of a family. So, what are you to do if you’re stuck with a little human who can hardly walk?

Most would say carry them in a stroller, but which strollers are best for flying on an airplane? Are strollers even allowed? This article aims to answer these questions and give you the best options to fly safely and comfortably with your family.

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Can Strollers be Carried on a Plane?

With your tot comfortable in their stroller and ready to go, you may ask yourself: are strollers even allowed on planes? Luckily, the answer in most cases is yes, depending on the stroller’s size.

Many airlines have specific rules for carrying strollers onto their flights, but in most cases, there should be minimal hassle. If you’re unsure whether your stroller is too large, check your respective airline’s website for more information.

There are many lightweight travel strollers designed specifically for air travel. Delta Air Lines, the most popular airline in America, allows any fully collapsible stroller in addition to your child’s luggage. This article includes links to several other airlines, as well as a brief description of each one’s child luggage policy.

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Can Strollers Go Through TSA?

Once a suitable stroller is selected and an appropriate airline has been chosen, the next step is getting through TSA. Luckily, there shouldn’t be too much hassle. As stated on the TSA’s resource page regarding traveling with children, “Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.”

You could even collapse your stroller and carry it in a travel stroller bag to make the process that much easier. This article explains in more thorough detail the process of checking not only your stroller, but also your child through TSA, and avoiding any unwanted stress throughout the process.

Can Strollers be Considered a Checked Bag?

Like the rest of your luggage, you might be concerned about whether a stroller will incur an extra fee. However, most airlines include strollers and child safety seats with your luggage free of charge, so long as they are properly checked first.

If you’re carrying more than one stroller with you, you may be charged additional fees.

Once you’re checked and ready to go, you should be free to collapse your stroller, stuff it into your stroller airplane bag, and be on your way.

What are the Best Features for an Air Travel Stroller?

Whether you’re looking for your first stroller or need a new one for travel, there should always be certain factors that you keep an eye out for when considering the best strollers for airplane travel.

Firstly, these strollers should be both compact and lightweight. If you’re traveling somewhere with nicer weather than you’re used to, consider investing in a stroller with built-in sun protection, or even buy an attachable visor for it.

Finally, try to weigh its functionality vs its cost; these conveniences may increase the stroller’s price, so it’s important to look out for something that both fits your criteria and your budget. For more information and suggestions on what strollers you should look into, click here.

Stroller Accessories for Airplane Travel.

Now that you’ve got yourself a suitable stroller, it’s time to look into accessories to make your life a little bit easier.

For most, the first thing they’ll want to invest in is a stroller organizer, which should ideally include a cup holder, adjustable shoulder straps, pockets for phones or other items, and a large enough capacity to hold all of your child’s essentials.

Additionally, you may look into buying a couple of stroller hooks, which allow you to clip your bags to your child’s stroller for ease of access, meaning that anything you deem necessary will be at arm’s reach at all times.

Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-toddler-sitting-on-the-stroller-11664842/

What are the Best Strollers to Take on a Plane?

With everything you’ve now learned, you might still be scratching your head wondering just what stroller you should buy. There are so many options to choose from that it might be a little overwhelming a first.

Luckily, this list has been specifically crafted to aid you in your endeavors. Whether it’s your first time buying or you’re simply looking to find something new, this list should prove to be a good starting point, showcasing exactly what you should look for in an ideal stroller and perhaps what to avoid.

COOL KIDS’ Lightweight Travel Stroller

COOL KID’s Lightweight Travel Stroller

The best strollers are ones that are not only lightweight, but also include plenty of both quality and safety features for you and your child. The COOL KIDS’ lightweight travel stroller is one such stroller.

Pros:

  • This stroller is perfect for your traveling needs, though infants or smaller children are preferable, as it is designed for ease of access more than it is for comfort.
  • It is easily but safely collapsible with only one hand to make it easy for you to take it through airport security.
  • Has a spacious basket for easy storage.
  • Includes many adjustable features, such as: a canopy that can be folded backward or forward to protect your child from harsh sunlight or to let them gaze up at the stars; an adjustable t-shaped bumper and footrest to make sure your child is safe; and a rope that can be used to easily control the stroller’s backrest.

Cons:

  •  Many reviewers state that though this stroller is near-perfect for infants and small toddlers, so despite its age range claiming it is designed for children ranging from newborns to three-year-olds, children as young as two-years old may begin to outgrow it.
  • Conflicting reviews on how comfortable this particular stroller is. One reviewer says, “It not super comfortable for babies. Mine slept a few times in it. It doesn’t have the back that can adjust like other do but its super convenient the way it folds.” Another states, “Not bad. It’s not like very comfortable.” However, other reviews claim that it is very comfortable and that their child loved it. One reviewer wrote: “Our kid loved it, was comfortable, easy to recline, fell asleep in it.”

BABY JOY’s Lightweight Baby Stroller

BABY JOY’s Lightweight Baby Stroller

Like every other stroller that will appear on this list, BABY JOY’s lightweight stroller is designed to be light and compact more than anything else, though that isn’t to say it doesn’t come with its own fair share of useful features.

Pros:

  • Unlike some other strollers that strive for convenience over comfort, many of BABY JOY’s reviewers claim that it is perfectly comfortable and suited well for their children. One reviewer says, “When he would take a nap I would lay him and he was completely comfortable.” Another states, “The fully reclined position is almost flat and seemed pretty comfortable for my little one.”
  • A self-standing gravity folding design, which allows it to collapse in on itself with the press of a button without a hassle, and can be unfolded just as easily.
  • An adjustable backrest, footrest and canopy, to ensure that your child is as comfortable as possible at all times.
  • All-terrain wheels and a one-step brake, meaning the stroller’s sturdy wheels and flexible suspension makes it perfect for all-terrain travel, it can make sharp turns with ease, and it has an easily-accessible brake to stop the stroller whenever you need.
  • A 5-point safety belt to ensure your child is safely secured in the stroller at all times.
  • Better suited for children from six-months-old to three-months-old, meaning it can be used for many years.

Cons:

  • Some users have reported that the instructions are vague and in some cases placed inside the stroller, meaning they must first figure out how to open it on their own before they can read the instruction manual.
  • Though it has a built-in sunshade, some users report that it doesn’t extend far enough to completely cover their child, only barely covering their head.
  • Some claim that while the backrest can recline with ease, it is occasionally difficult to adjust upward, and not very far.

Summer’s Convenience Stroller

Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller

This stroller is a much more affordable option than the other strollers on this list. Some may assume that because of its more affordable price tag, it may be shoddy when compared to the other two; however, they’d be mistaken. This stroller is a wonderfully affordable alternative to COOL KIDS’ and BABY JOY’s options.

Pros:

  • Lightweight with a compact fold for ease of travel. Its carry strap and auto lock makes it easy to fold and store wherever you need it to carry it on the go.
  • A 5-point safety harness and 4-level recline means that your baby should be both safe and comfortable at all times.
  • An extra-large storage basket means you can carry several important items with you without needing to make trips back and forth or packing extra bags. However, be wary: it is advised not to exceed 10 pounds.
  • Reviewers report that assembly is easy.
  • Vastly cheaper than alternative options.

Cons:

  • Some users report that taller people may have trouble pushing the stroller without needing to bend over.
  • Though it includes a shading canopy, some users report that it is too short and doesn’t do much to protect their children. One such user says, “It is very short. The sun would often get into her eyes even if I laid the moved the back rest flatter.”
  • Unable to put bags on the handle or else the stroller may tip over.
  • Some report that the stroller is smaller than expected, and don’t advise using it for children older than two.

Have Fun Traveling With Ease!

By now, you should have a pretty good idea of just what to expect when traveling by air with a stroller, and how best to handle it going forward. The idea of going through the hassle of air travel with your child and their accessories may be daunting, but it’s not nearly as bad as most suspect.

However, it’s important to come well-prepared and informed. If you’re ever unsure about if you’ve made the right preparations, it can never hurt to arrive at the airport a couple of hours early, just to make sure that everything goes smoothly, and you have time to adjust if it doesn’t.

Luckily, this guide should help ensure that nothing goes wrong on your next trip. And remember, the strollers listed here aren’t your only options: go out and explore! Use them as a guideline if you’re not satisfied with the options presented, and make sure you choose the perfect fit for your family. 

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