Strollers and airplanes don't mix perfectly, but there are some ways to handle bringing your stroller-dependant infant or toddler during air travel.
The real trouble with strollers and air travel is that you cannot board with the stroller, so there is a period when you will be without it. Here are some tactics to deal with that:
- Check your stroller at the gate - Some parents don't realize you can do those, so the poor things lug baggage and strollerless baby around the airport. But airlines will let you check a stroller at the gate, and any decent airline will return it to you as you deboard the plane.
- Bring a baby carrier - You can also get help handling your baby or toddler and your luggage by putting your child in a carrier. This will leave your hands free for pulling out passports and boarding passes, and keep your child happy.
- Get a stroller/car seat combo - If you are getting your baby a seat on the plane, you can get double duty (and bring your stroller with you) by getting a stroller/car seat combo. There is the Sit 'n Stroll combo unit, or the Traveling Toddler, which allows users to attach a car-seat to your rolling carry-on suitcase.
- Bring an umbrella stroller - These are easy to quickly fold up and check at the gate, and much less bulky than traditional strollers. They also can be quickly folded or expanded.
- Label your stroller yourself - Sure, the airline worker will slap a tag on, but who do you think cares more about you getting it back? This is especially important if you will check it when you first check in. A good way is to use a permanent marker on the bars, if that is possible, but find a very secure label to put on there with your home and destination contact information. Do you really want to be in a new and strange city without a stroller?
- Check with your airline - If you can, do it before you even buy the ticket. That way,if you don't like their policies, you can choose another airline (and even write to tell them they aren't being family-friendly). This will avoid hassles.
More on strollers and air travel:
The copyright of the article Strollers and Air Travel in Babies/Toddlers Travel is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Strollers and Air Travel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
