Are you planning a family vacation soon with your loved ones? Having a compact travel stroller for your travels will help tremendously. It will provide a comfortable space for your child during layovers. You also have the peace of mind of knowing that your stroller is with you at all times, avoiding any possible damage during handling and transportation.
Enjoy a hassle-free and stress-free trip instead of carrying your child around for long periods of time at the airport.
We have done a lot of research on travel strollers and here is a quick guide on the types of strollers that actually fit in the overhead compartment of a plane.
Table of Contents
Choose the Stroller for Airplane Travel that Works for You
Which Stroller Can I Take on the Plane?
The stroller size that fits the overhead compartment and is considered as a carry on is based on the dimensions provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which is 28 x 22 x 10” / 56 x 45 x 25cm.
However, it is best to check with the airlines that you are flying with as every airlines have different guidelines when it comes to bringing a stroller for airplane travel that fits in the overhead bin.
According to the Federal Aviation Association (FAA), most airlines have a maximum carry on size of 45 linear inches (the total sum of your bag's height, width, and length), which generally works out to be 22 x 14 x 9” / 56 x 36 x 23cm.
If you are still asking yourself "what kind of stroller can I take on a plane", read on.
What Stroller Folds the Smallest?
Compact travel strollers are considered the type of strollers that have the smallest folded dimensions. Even though they are compact, they provide a smooth ride for your toddler whilst at the airport.
Due to their compact size, they are easy to carry around when traveling. Some strollers offer a shoulder strap or carry strap for easy handling. They come in handy as your everyday stroller too.
Based on the Guinness World Records, the GB Pockit is the smallest folded stroller amongst all that is on the market today. The original GP Pockit has a folded dimension of 13.8 x 11.8 x 7"/35 x 30 x 18cm.
On the other hand, an umbrella stroller is a lightweight stroller that can fold down quite small. However, because of the way the umbrella stroller folds, it ends up quite lengthy. It is important to note that many airlines do not allow umbrella strollers to be brought onto the plane. Instead, they will have to be gate checked and stored in the hold.
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5 Travel Strollers That are FAA Approved and Fit in Overhead Compartments
As mentioned earlier, even though IATA has its recommended carry on size, many airlines' carry on requirements are a lot smaller. The best stroller for air travel is to stay within 22 x 14 x 9"/56 x 36 x 23cm. Below is a list of travel strollers that fit the requirements.
Keep in mind that when it comes to a compact stroller, there are often trade-offs involved. Therefore, it is impossible to compare these ultra compact strollers against traditional strollers.
You will notice that most of these travel strollers have a small storage basket and a smaller sun canopy.
Best Travel Stroller for Flying - TernX Carry On
If you are a busy mom or always on the go, consider TernX Carry On as a great compact stroller whenever traveling with your kids. The dimensions of the TernX Carry On, when folded, are 22 x 14 x 9"/55 x 36 x 23 cm and weigh around 17 lbs/7.7 kgs.
It's been certified and suitable for a child from 6 months to 48.5 lbs/22 kgs.
This airplane travel stroller turns into a suitcase for ease of rolling when not in use. It provides ample storage space, with a capacity of 18L that can be easily accessed at any time, even when the stroller is folded. It's the only luggage stroller in the world.
This compact stroller meets FAA recommendations for carry on and is within 45 linear inches. Hence, it can fit most airlines' regulations for overhead compartment storage.
It offers a multi-position recline feature, extendable back rest height and has a large detachable UPF 50+ sun canopy for added protection.
GP Pockit+ All Terrain
The folded dimensions of Pockit + All Terrain is 16.14 x 13.39 x 7.87 "/42 x 34 x 20 cm.
This travel stroller weighs 12.3 lbs/5.6 kgs. It has the ability to collapse and turn into the size of a backpack in just a matter of seconds. You can easily bring this stroller onboard without issues.
Your child can use it from the age of 6 months to 55 lbs/25 kgs. An additional adapter can be used to attach an infant car seat to the stroller. Just remember to bring your adapter.
However, the downside of this product is the reported fragility of the fabric and frame. Some people have reported that the wheels can get stuck while unfolding them. The storage basket has limited storage ability.
Cybex Libelle Stroller
Cybex Libelle Stroller has folded dimensions of 18.5 x 12.6 x 7.9 "/47 x 32 x 20 cm and weighs 13.7 lbs/5.5 kgs.
It is suitable from 6 months to 55 lbs/25 kgs and is compatible with infant car seats. Bear in mind you will have to bring your infant car seat adapter along in order to attach your seat to the travel stroller.
According to FAA, it fits most airlines as the dimensions are within 45 linear inches hence suitable to be used as a travel stroller for airplane travel.
The downside of this stroller is that folding it down can be a little tricky. It takes a little more effort for parents to fold and unfold it compared to other strollers. It also has a small storage basket.
Munchkin Sparrow Compact Stroller
The Munchkin Sparrow travel stroller has folded dimensions of 14.96 x 13.78 x 6.3"/38 x 35 x 16 cm. It is a lightweight travel stroller, weighing only 12.8 lbs/5.1 kgs.
This stroller is suitable from 6 months to 55 lbs/25 kgs. It is not compatible with infant car seats.
This travel stroller fits the FAA recommendation, being within 45 linear inches, it will fit the majority of airlines' overhead bins.
Some of the downsides reported of this product are the lack of a reclinable seat. Some users have reported fragile sun canopy which does not provide sufficient coverage.
Babyzen Yoyo2
Babyzen Yoyo2 has dimensions of 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1"/52 x 44 x 18cm when folded. It weighs around 14 lbs or 6.5 kgs which is considered a lightweight stroller for airplane travel.
It is suitable for newborns when you use the newborn pack or bassinet and can accommodate children up to 48.5 lbs/22 kgs.
Moreover, this lightweight stroller comes with a carry strap making it easy to transport. It is a travel stroller that offers a smooth ride at the airport. You are able to purchase their travel bag as an accessory.
The reported downside of this travel stroller is that the sun canopy and storage basket are small.
3 Best Travel System for Infant
If you are traveling with an infant and you have purchased an additional seat for your baby, you may opt to bring a travel stroller and an infant car seat for plane use. Just bear in mind that there will be more equipment to bring with you, including infant car seat adapters.
When you compare travel systems to travel strollers, you will notice that travel systems meet IATA standards but do not meet FAA recommendations of 45 linear inches. In that case, if you are an international traveler, the following travel strollers are not considered the best strollers for airplane travel. Here's why.
In the USA, many airports allow you to gate check your stroller. This means you leave your stroller at the entrance of the plane and it gets stored in the hold during the flight. Upon deplaning, your stroller will be returned to you.
However, this isn't the case in many international airports. If your travel stroller does not fit the airline's carry on requirement, you run the risk of gate checking your stroller and in many cases, you may be required to retrieve your stroller at the oversize carousel or baggage claim.
Ergobaby Metro+
The Ergobaby Metro+ has folded dimensions of 20.5 x 16.5 x 9.1 "/52 x 42 x 23 cm. It weighs 16.9 lbs/7.8 kgs.
It is suitable for newborns when used with the Metro Newborn Kit and can accommodate children up to 50 lbs/22.7 kgs.
This stroller reclines to 175 degrees and has an extendable handlebar for easy use. It also comes with a cup holder, weather shield, and a support bar. The storage basket holds 10 lbs/4.5 kgs and the travel bag is an add-on purchase.
The downside of this stroller is that it may not fit international airline requirements as carry on.
Joolz Aer+
The Joolz Aer+ has folded dimensions of 21.6 x 17.7 x 8.7 "/ 54 x 45 x 22 cm and only weighs 13.4 lbs/6.1 kgs. It is suitable for children who are 6 months to 50 lbs/22.7 kgs.
For newborn use, you will have to bring along the bassinet. The same thing applies to your infant car seat adapter. This travel stroller has a one hand fold function making folding and unfolding simple.
It comes with a shoulder strap for ease of carrying. A travel bag is included as part of the purchase. Joolz Aer+ has an improved sun canopy and a storage basket that can hold 11 lbs/5 kgs.
The downside of this product is that it does not fit the requirements of 45 linear inches. Hence, you may have an issue bringing the stroller on board.
Bugaboo Butterfly
The Bugaboo Butterfly has folded dimensions of 21.6 x 17.7 x 9.1 "/54 x 45 x 23 cm and weighs around 16.9 lbs/7.3 kgs.
It is suitable for use from 6 months to 48.5 lbs/22 kgs. You are able to attach your infant car seat with the use of an adapter. It offers a decent size sun canopy and storage basket that holds 17.6 lbs/ 8 kgs.
Bugaboo Butterfly also has a one hand fold function. It is easy to maneuver and offers a smooth ride. A rain cover is included as part of the purchase. However, their travel bag is an add-on accessory.
Similar to the Joolz Aer+, the downside of this travel stroller is that it does not fall within the requirements of 45 linear inches for meeting the majority of the airline's carry on requirements.
Travel Stroller for Newborn without Requiring Extra Adaptors or Bassinet
The convenience of not requiring extra adapters or bassinets when traveling with your little one simplifies family travel. Imagine having a stroller and car seat all in one. One product, multiuse, similar to the TernX Carry On.
Doona Stroller
The Doona Stroller has folded dimensions of 24 x 17 x 26 "/60 x 44 x 66 cm and weighs 16.5 lbs/7.5 kgs. It is suitable for newborns from birth to 35 lbs/16 kgs.
Don't worry about bringing your infant car seats. This travel stroller can turn from an infant car seat to a compact stroller in no time. You can also use it as an everyday stroller too. Accessories that you can purchase include a sun canopy, insect net, travel bag, and more.
This is one of the strollers for airplane use since you are able to utilize the infant car seat on the plane.
The downside of this stroller is that it does not offer a storage basket.
Evenflo Gold Shyft DualRide Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combo
The Evenflo Gold Shyft DualRide Stroller has folded dimensions of 18.8 x 30 x 27.5"/48 x 76.2 x 70 cm and weighs 29 lbs/13 kgs. It is suitable for newborns from birth to 35 lbs/16 kgs.
It comes with an infant car seat base which you can use in the car. The Evenflo Gold Shyft DualRide Stroller also comes with SensorSafe Technology which notifies you potential unsafe positions from the car seat.
When you purchase this stroller, you will get a cup holder as well as a storage bag.
However, even though this is apparently FAA approved to be used ont he airplane, the width of the stroller seems too wide to fit comfortably on an airline seat. To date, we have not been able to find much feedback from mom and dads that have taken this on an airplane.
Choose the Stroller for Airplane Travel that Works for You
Whenever you travel with your kids, it is advisable that you look for a lightweight travel stroller that can be easily stored in an overhead compartment. This will save you the hassle of possibly losing your stroller or having your travel stroller damaged from handling.
Choose a travel stroller for airplane travel and breeze through the airport in no time, and if you are sick of juggling your carry-on and stroller when flying with kids the TernX Carry On is the best stroller to travel with and the first and only carry on luggage stroller in the world.
Happy vacationing!
