Strollers Lab

How To Protect Stroller When Flying | Effective Tips

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Have you ever been worried about how to protect the stroller when flying? Generally, those who frequently fly with a baby to different airlines face this kind of problem.

Don’t worry, the good news is that most airlines allow you to carry a stroller/pushchair and a car seat for your babies with standard economy fares. You can travel with your stroller free of charge.

Different airlines allow to carry strollers, but it is necessary to have some pre-preparation to keep them protected throughout the journey. For your convenience, here are some tips to protect the stroller when flying.


Don’t miss the Ultimate Guide to flying with baby tips.

Tips to protect stroller when flying

Carrying a stroller on the plane is not a big deal at all. To protect the stroller, you just have to follow the respective authority’s instructions, that’s it. You should follow the below-listed tips to make a hassle-free journey with your baby.

1. Follow the airline stroller policy

Almost all airlines have their policies for carrying strollers. Before boarding an airplane you should know their stroller policies. Make sure that your selected stroller is matching with the airline’s imposed policies. Here we described American Airlines Stroller Policy as an example of an airline stroller policy.

American Airlines stroller policy:

• Each ticketed customer is allowed to take one stroller and one car seat free of charge.
• The stroller must be checked at the ticket counter if it is over 20 lbs or 9 kg.
• If you have a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate
• Before boarding, all other strollers should be checked at the gate.

You must check The traveling with children policy before flying with American Airlines.

2. Use a stroller airplane bag

You can use a stroller bag to protect the stroller during flying. Additionally, you can store some items like diapers/nappies, blankets, soft toys, etc. Though a stroller bag means a piece of extra baggage, it can provide overall protection to your stroller.

3. Try to choose a padded stroller bag

According to the expert, padded stroller bags are very durable and lightweight for air travel rather than a normal bag. A non-padded stroller bag can keep your gear only clean, but a padded bag will protect you overall. Some airlines provide a strong plastic bag for carrying the stroller, but it does not protect items properly.

4. Store the stroller on the aircraft

If the flight is not full and your stroller is small enough, then you might be able to carry it. In this case, you can store it in the overhead bin with your other carry-on luggage. It also reduces the chances of losing the gear during a transfer to another flight.

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5. During stroller checking

Most airlines check the stroller before boarding. To protect your stroller, ask the ticketing agent for a polybag. It will keep your gear clean while it is in the cargo hold. Before traveling, take a photo of your stroller, if it does any damage, then you can show this to the insurance company.

Important FAQ about protecting stroller on a flight

How to keep the stroller clean for air travel?

To keep your stroller clean, you must wrap it in a plastic bag and secure the opening with packing tape or a tied knot. To protect your stroller from scratch or any other damage, try to use a padded stroller bag.

How do I protect the stroller while flying?

Cover your stroller with a dedicated stroller cover or a padded bag to protect it from the soil and other superficial damage like the broken frame or torn padding. If you arrived at the airport without a stroller bag, then most airlines will offer a heavy-duty plastic bag to use as a protective cover.

Does a stroller get damaged on a plane?

Yes, it can happen. For this reason, we suggest, just packing your stroller well to protect it from any unwanted damage while traveling on the plane.

Can I check my stroller at the gate?

Yes, definitely you can. If your stroller is small in size, then you can consider it just an additional piece of luggage.

Do the airlines take responsibility for the damaged stroller?

Some airlines do it but not always the case. Actually, it depends on the respective airline’s regulations. We highly recommend you check your airline’s policies regarding carrying a stroller before booking your flight. You need to be careful to protect your stroller, especially if it is expensive.

Which size stroller should I take on the plane?

Many airplanes have some restrictions on the size and weight of the stroller, you should check their stroller policies before you make your booking. As an example of what kind of conditions airlines can impose on carrying a stroller, we have mentioned the American Airlines Stroller Policy above. Please check it.

Wrapping up

Dear parents, here we have tried to discuss all aspects of protecting the stroller when flying. If you have any more queries about carrying the stroller onto the plane, do let us know. Just remember one thing, it is better to be safe than sorry. So, be careful and have a safe journey.