How to transport a baby stroller on a plane?
Yes, traveling with children is not for the faint of heart. Dozens of bags, toys, disapproving glances from unhappy passengers, and a stroller too! This text is all about it. We help parents and tell them what to consider if they decide to take it on a plane.
Can you take a baby stroller on a plane?
Airlines do not prohibit taking baby strollers on board, but whether you need to check the item as luggage or can keep it with you in the cabin depends on both the specific company and the size and type of the stroller.
If you are going on a vacation with a child, be sure to study the rules for carriage on an airplane — they may differ depending on the airline, but there are also a number of general rules.
• The main criterion by which an airline determines how to transport a stroller on a plane is its dimensions.
• As a rule, airlines prohibit taking a cane stroller into the cabin — it will need to be checked into the baggage compartment. However, this type of stroller is often allowed to be used right up to the aircraft steps.
• If you are flying with a child, the stroller is not considered excess baggage for the fare and is transported free of charge, regardless of its weight. For example, if you bought a ticket with 23 kg of luggage, this should be understood as 23 kg + stroller.
• If you are traveling with several children, you can take a stroller for each child. All child transport means will be in addition to the baggage allowance.
• If you are transporting a stroller but traveling without a child, you will not be able to take it into the cabin or transport it free of charge beyond the fare allowance — it will only be registered as regular luggage.
• If you are flying with a layover, clarify how your luggage will be checked: directly to the final destination or if you will need to collect it at the stopover point.
Rules of major airlines
It is best to find out about weight, size, and stroller type restrictions immediately after purchasing tickets, or even before, if there is an opportunity to choose the most convenient option.
Some airlines allow you to take your child to the boarding gate and then check the stroller as luggage. Sometimes airports provide free temporary strollers — also to transport the child to the gate or even to the aircraft steps. Let's look at how different airlines handle flights with baby strollers.
Aeroflot
Cost: free.
Where to carry: in the cabin as hand luggage, if dimensions do not exceed 42x50x20 cm.
If you check the stroller as luggage, you can use it until boarding — inform about your wish during check-in. The transport means will be tagged with a DAA label — “Delivery at Aircraft”. Important: its weight in this case must not exceed 23 kg.
For a flight with an infant up to 1 year old, upon prior request, the crew will provide a bassinet — you must inform them of your desire to use it in advance. A bassinet is provided only if there is a suitable mounting spot on board.
S7
Cost: free.
Where to carry: in hand luggage, if the stroller fits within 55x40x23 cm. If it disassembles, a part can be taken into the cabin — a bassinet no larger than 55x40x23 cm. A cane stroller will go into the baggage compartment, free of charge, even if you are flying with a baggage-free fare.
Ural Airlines
Cost: free.
Where to carry: in checked luggage. You can check the stroller either immediately at the check-in counter, or take your child to the aircraft and check it there.
Pobeda
Cost: free.
Where to carry: carriage in the baggage compartment is provided regardless of size. Taking a stroller as hand luggage is prohibited.
Smartavia
Cost: free.
Where to carry: must be checked as luggage. A cane stroller can be used up to the aircraft steps and collected at the steps after landing — inform about this in advance during check-in to receive a special DAA tag.
Utair
Cost: free.
Where to carry: in the baggage compartment. The company also provides the option to take your child to the aircraft steps. Your stroller will be returned immediately upon arrival, with the exception of Sochi, St. Petersburg, and Voronezh airports — in these cities, strollers can only be collected in the baggage claim area.
Turkish Airlines
Cost: free.
Where to carry: in checked luggage, but the airline provides the option to take the baby to the aircraft and then hand over the stroller to staff.
Pegasus Airlines
Cost: free.
Where to carry: taking it into the cabin is prohibited — it will have to be checked as luggage. A cane stroller is allowed to be used until boarding and collected immediately after landing at the aircraft steps.
Air Astana
Cost: free.
Where to carry: in the cabin, if the stroller is foldable and does not exceed 34x32x14 cm in size.
When do you need to check a stroller as luggage?
Let's summarize and list the cases when a child's transport means will have to be checked into the baggage compartment:
• it exceeds certain dimensions or does not comply with other carriage parameters;
• the airline completely prohibits their carriage in the cabin.
Child transport is usually checked as luggage at the check-in counter or handed over to airline staff after you have taken your child to the aircraft. Upon arrival, you can collect the stroller at the aircraft steps or on the baggage carousel. Occasionally, they are placed separately, for example, at the oversized baggage counter.
Main tips
Traveling with a small child is a feat. And it's worth preparing seriously for it:
• to eliminate the risk of loss, attach a tag to the stroller with your first and last name in Russian and Latin letters, and below that, write your address and phone number;
• if you need to reduce the stroller's weight, remove some parts and accessories from it;
• to avoid damaging the stroller that is flying in the baggage compartment, wrap it in film or place it in a special cover;
• do not take an expensive stroller with you — anything can happen on the road, and a simpler means of transport is not as scary to lose, break, or get dirty.
