Flying with kids is really fun. Ha, just kidding! Not only do you need to worry about whether your toddler’s meltdown will lead to a plane diversion, but you also have to carry more stuff than the settlers brought on the Oregon trail.
The good news is, airlines generally give you a break and have special rules for car seats and strollers — so you don’t have to empty your bank account to bring them along (unlike with the rest of your carry-ons and luggage!).
There are limits and requirements to meet, though. Here are some of the rules for several major airline carriers.
1. Allegiant
If you’re traveling with kids on Allegiant, here are the rules for your stroller or car seat:
- Each ticketed customer can check or gate check one car seat and one stroller.
- Allegiant does not specify a weight limit for strollers.
- Children under 2 who are not lap infants must be in a car seat approved by the FAA.
2. American Airlines
Here’s American’s rules for bringing strollers and car seats with you when you travel:
- Every ticketed customer gets one free stroller and one free car seat you can check or gate check for free.
- If your stroller weighs more than 20 pounds, you can’t gate check it — it must be checked at the ticket counter. All smaller strollers can be gate checked before boarding.
- If you have both a stroller and car seat, you can only gate check one of the two.
- If your child under 2 has their own seat, they need a child restraint system that’s in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, unless they can sit up independently and keep their seat belt buckled for takeoff and landing.
3. Delta
Here’s Delta’s policy for flying with baby gear:
- There’s no fee for strollers or child restraint seats, including car seats or booster seats, and they don’t count towards your baggage allowance.
- Car seats, strollers, and booster seats can be gate checked or checked before going through security.
- If FAA car seats are brought as carry-ons, they must be tightly secured to the seat.
- Strollers must be fully collapsible.
- Children under 2 must have an FAA-approved car seat if they’re in their own seat. You can also place your child in an FAA-approved car seat brought on board as a carry-on if there is an open seat, even if you didn’t purchase a seat for your child.
4. Frontier
Frontier has similar policies to many other airline carriers. Here are the rules:
- You can check a stroller free of charge, including gate checking or checking it before security.
- There is no charge for gate-checking or checking a car seat.
- If your child has their own seat, they may travel in an FAA-approved car seat or an approved harness or booster seat.
5. JetBlue
Here are JetBlue’s stroller and car seat rules:
- Strollers and car seats can be checked at the airport or gate checked. They don’t count toward your carry on or checked bag allowances.
- You can have one stroller and one car seat per child.
- Children in their own seats don’t have to be in a car seat, as long as they can sit upright unassisted. They can be in an FAA-approved safety seat if you bought them a ticket.
6. Southwest
These are the rules if you’re flying Southwest:
- You can check or gate check one stroller and car seat per child for free and it will not count toward your baggage allowance.
- Any type of stroller or car seat is allowed.
- Infants in their own seats must have a child restraint system. You can bring a car seat from home instead of using a child restraint system.
7. United
Finally, here is United’s policy for traveling with kids equipment:
- Standard strollers, folding wagons, and car seats can be checked or gate checked for free.
- Collapsible strollers can be stored in-cabin.
- You can use an FAA approved car seat on board for children in their own seat.
Be prepared for flying with kids
Having this necessary information about how to successfully fly with your children’s strollers and car seats should make your trip easier.
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