Strollers on the plane: how to organize the procedure

From check-in to gate: how it works

At check-in you tell staff about the stroller and receive a tag to attach to the frame: from that moment it remains usable until the boarding door, passing through security as well. A few moments before boarding, gate staff collect it already closed and folded from the parent, to load it in the hold as the last piece of baggage.

Weight, size and three ways to transport it

Rules vary significantly from airline to airline: most treat the stroller as an additional free checked bag for the child, but with weight and size limits to verify on the carrier's website before you travel. Only ultracompact models fit cabin dimensions—Transavia, for instance, requires at most 55x40x25 cm—while bulkier strollers almost always go gate-checked or, if particularly large, registered as checked luggage at check-in. A protective bag reduces the risk of damage in the hold, especially for more delicate or expensive models.

What to expect on return at arrival

Where the airport and airline allow, the stroller returns to the airplane door as soon as you land; otherwise it's directed to a special baggage collection point, which may not match the standard carousel. It's worth asking the cabin crew during the flight so you know where to head as soon as you exit, and it's useful to empty the stroller of any accessories attached to the frame before handing it over, so you don't lose them in the hold.

Before you travel, check your airline's website for the exact weight and size limits for the stroller: they determine whether it goes gate-checked, in the cabin or registered as checked baggage. For specific rules at different airlines, see also strollers on board: airline rules and advice.