Stroller and car seat on a flight

Travelling with a little one almost never means paying extra for the pram. Airlines usually let you bring a folding stroller and a child car seat free of charge, on top of your normal baggage allowance — you just need to know in advance what you hand over, and where.

In short

A folding stroller and a car seat usually fly free, on top of your allowance, when you travel with a child. The stroller is most often handed over at the gate or check-in desk and returned at the gate or on the baggage belt. A car seat may be used in the cabin on a separately paid seat if it's certified for aviation use. Exact rules depend on the carrier — check your flight terms under My bookings or confirm with the airline.

01 / FreeWhat you can bring for free

When you fly with a child, most airlines let you bring a folding stroller and a child car seat free of charge — these count as baby equipment and usually fall outside your main baggage allowance. Your suitcase and cabin bag stay with you, while the stroller and seat travel on top. One caveat: this benefit is tied to flying with a child, so the child must be on the booking.

Folding stroller — umbrella or compact-fold type: usually free and on top of your allowance.
Car seat — free as equipment, or installed on a paid seat in the cabin.
Carrycot and infant carrier — usually under the same rules; check the dimensions.

Allowance depends on the carrierSome airlines allow both a stroller and a car seat on top of your allowance, others only one item. Your flight's baseline rules appear in the booking details; for the exact limit, always check with the airline.

02 / StrollerWhere to drop off and collect the stroller

Strollers have a handy flow: you wheel your child all the way to the boarding gate, then hand the stroller over at the aircraft door (gate-check). That keeps your little one in the stroller as long as possible. You usually collect it in the same spot on arrival, or from the standard baggage belt. Which one applies to your flight depends on the airport and the airline, so ask in advance.

Tell them at check-in

Let the agent know you have a stroller and want to gate-check it. You'll get a separate baggage tag.

Fold it before boarding

At the gate, fold the stroller, remove the rain cover and any fragile accessories, and keep the tag on the frame.

Collect it at the door or belt

On arrival the stroller is usually brought to the aircraft door; sometimes it goes to the belt instead. Ask the crew.

Tip for connectionsOn connecting flights, ask to have the stroller returned at the door — it makes getting to the next gate far easier, especially in a large airport. On some routings the stroller is checked through to the final destination, so ask in advance.

03 / Car seatThe car seat onboard and in the hold

There are two paths for a car seat. The first is to check it into the hold for free as baby equipment and use it at your destination. The second is to install the seat on a separate cabin seat so your child flies buckled into a familiar seat. For the cabin there are conditions: the seat must be certified for aviation use and fit the width of the aircraft seat, and the child's place must be paid for separately (a lap infant isn't given a seat of their own).

Option	Cost	Condition
Car seat in the hold	Usually free	As baby equipment, on top of allowance
Car seat in the cabin	Seat must be paid for	Seat certified for aviation use
Folding stroller	Usually free	Gate-checked or at the desk

Check the seat's markingNot every car seat may go in the cabin. Airlines accept only seats marked as approved for aircraft use and of a suitable size. Without that marking, the seat will most likely have to be checked in. If you plan to fly with the seat in the cabin, confirm it's allowed with the airline before departure.

04 / PreparationHow to prepare the items for transport

01Remove and pack detachable accessories — basket, rain cover, cup holder — so nothing gets lost.
02Fold the stroller compactly and lock it so it doesn't open during loading.
03Use a travel bag to protect against dirt and scratches — the stroller rides the same belts as the luggage.
04Photograph the stroller and seat before handing them over — it helps if you ever need to document damage.

Need a hand getting readyYour flight's baby-equipment terms appear in the booking details under My bookings. Any questions — message us at @sales_travel_bot or call 8 800 1000-646, and we'll help confirm the carrier's rules.

05 / FAQFrequently asked questions

Does the stroller count as carry-on?

Usually not. A folding stroller travels as a separate item on top of your allowance and is normally gate-checked or dropped at the desk rather than taken into the cabin. Size limits vary by airline — check with the carrier.

Do I have to pay for the car seat?

The seat itself in the hold is usually free. You only pay for a separate seat in the cabin if you want your child to travel buckled into the car seat — and the seat must be certified for aviation use.

Where do I get the stroller after landing?

Most often the stroller is brought right to the aircraft door; sometimes it goes to the standard baggage belt. On connections, ask to receive it at the door so you can reach your next gate. Confirm the procedure with the cabin crew as you disembark.

Can I bring both a stroller and a car seat?

With many carriers, yes — both items on top of your allowance when travelling with a child. But some airlines allow only one free item. To avoid surprises, check your flight terms under My bookings or confirm with the airline.

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