Planning a big trip with your baby or toddler? I know a big question that’s probably on your mind: Do I really need to spend extra money on a compact travel stroller for the airplane?
The number of different compact travel strollers to consider can be overwhelming, but finding the best stroller for airplane travel will make flying with a baby or toddler just a little easier. So, what makes the best travel stroller for flying?
Based on my many years of traveling with babies, to find the best travel stroller for airplane trips, I recommend looking for a travel stroller that is fast and easy to fold, lightweight (under 17 lbs), or fits in the overhead bin on the airplane.
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Best Travel Strollers for Flying
The best stroller for plane travel for your family will have all the features you need in a budget that works for you.
The best features to look for in an airplane stroller is how lightweight and easy to fold is it. If the your stroller fits in the overhead bin, that’s a huge bonus. From there, the best strollers for air travel have other features like a good recline, adjustable footrest, cup holders and a travel bag.
I understand that looking for strollers can get overwhelming very quickly! This list is the top ones I would consider that not only make flying easier, but have plenty of benefits while you are at your destination!
1. Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller
Key Features
In my opinion, the Babyzen YOYO2 is the best travel stroller for flying. The easy one-hand fold brings this 13.6 pound travel stroller down to folded dimensions of 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 inches.
The Babyzen YOYO2 stroller may be one of the most expensive airplane strollers on my list, but it is quite versatile. You can use the Babyzen YOYO2 0+ set that’s ideal for newborns, and then transition to the 6+ color pack for babies from 6 months + up to 40 pounds. Alternatively, it can also accommodate an infant car seat with the car seat adapters to turn it into a travel system.
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Babyzen YOYO2
- It has a super easy one-hand fold.
- It weighs only 13.6 lbs.
- Will fit in most overhead compartments on the airplane with folded dimensions of 20.5” x 17.3” x 7.1”
- You can use it for infants with the newborn pack.
Cons of the Babyzen YOYO2
- It’s only rated up to 40 lbs in the USA.
- The price of this travel stroller isn’t in everyone’s budget.
2. Mountain Buggy Nano V3 Stroller
Key Features
This Mountain Buggy Nano V3 travel stroller is a good travel stroller for newborns and up to 44 pounds. This top travel stroller has a full flat recline for newborns but is still travel system ready with a universal car seat adapter (included) or paired with the newborn cocoon accessory.
It comes at the same lightweight size of 13 pounds and 12 x 22 x 20 inches folded dimensions as the original Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller. It also has a decent two-tier canopy with a flip out sun visor.
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Mountain Buggy Nano V3
- Lightweight at only 13 lbs yet sturdy.
- Easy to navigate even on rougher terrains (From New Orleans streets to European cobblestones and Guatemalan markets!).
- Lie-flat perfect for on-the-go naps.
- Fits in most overhead compartments on the airplane.
- Very easy to use with most any infant car seat!
Cons of the Mountain Buggy Nano V3
- Can only be used up to 44 lbs.
- Our reviewer had issues with holes in the storage basket within one year of use.
3. Inglesina Quid Stroller
Key Features
The Inglesina Quid compact travel stroller (full review) can be used for children starting from 3 months and up to 50 pounds, giving parents a lot of use out of it. It has a built-in carry handle on the side to make transport easy and folded dimensions that will allow it to fit in the overhead bin on some airlines.
The canopy has a zippered section to make it further extendable and offer your baby shade on sunny days.
While ideal for travel, the Inglesina Quid travel stroller doesn’t have many additional features given its high price tag. In fact, it’s very similar to the Ergo Metro+ Stroller which has a slightly more compact size when folded.
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Inglesina Quid
- Easy fold.
- Lightweight at only 13 lbs and still easy to maneuver.
- Will fit in most overhead compartments and comes with travel bag.
- Can be used up to 50 lbs.
- Has an adjustable footrest.
Cons of the Inglesina Quid
- Missing cup holders.
4. Silver Cross Jet 5 Stroller
Key Features
The Silver Cross Jet 5 compact stroller has all the features you’d look for in a high-end travel stroller, but be aware it comes with a price to match!
What I really like about the Silver Cross Jet 5 travel stroller is that it is suitable for newborns all the way through to the toddler stage (up to 55 lbs). At only 15.7 lbs, you’ll have no issues packing it up and fitting this carry-on stroller in the overhead bin on the airplane!
This compact airplane stroller has two unique features: 1. the belly bar can be removed and used as a handle to pull the folded stroller; 2. the storage basket can be accessed from the front and back! On top of all that, the Silver Cross Jet 5 is compatible with car seats (with an adapter). It’s definitely worth a look!
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Silver Cross Jet 5
- Suitable from birth to 55 lbs.
- Weighs 15.7 lbs.
- Compact fold that should fit most overhead compartments.
- Compatible with car seats.
- Belly bar can be use as handle to pull stroller.
Cons of the Silver Cross Jet 5
- Price tag may be out of many people’s budget.
- While it’s mostly full feature, it does not have cup holders.
5. Ergobaby Metro+ Compact Baby Stroller
Key Features
Similar to the Inglesina Quid in many ways, the Ergobaby Metro+ compact baby stroller (full review) can be used from 3 months and up to 50 pounds, giving parents a lot of use out of it. It can also be used from birth with use of adapters to make it compatible with car seats.
The Ergobaby Metro+ stroller is 16.9 pounds and has folded dimensions that will fit the overhead bin on most airlines, making it a good stroller for airplane travel.
It even has an adjustable handlebar, making it a great stroller for tall parents!
With a deep recline and adjustable footrest your baby will be comfortable snoozing while you take in the sights.
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Ergobaby Metro+
- Has an adjustable handlebar and footrest.
- Compatible with car seats to be used from birth.
- Can be used from 3 months to 50 lbs.
Cons of the Ergobaby Metro+
- Weighs more than other comparable strollers for flying at 16.9 lbs.
Looking for a budget travel stroller?
I highly recommend the Summer 3Dlite Convenience compact travel stroller. This affordable umbrella stroller for airplane travel weighs only 13 pounds, has an umbrella style fold with a carry strap. While you won’t be able to store this stroller in the overhead bin, you can bring it right to the gate of the airplane and easily fold it up.
What to Look for in the Best Strollers for Airplane Travel
For decades parents have been flying with strollers, typically choosing the best lightweight umbrella stroller for air travel. Umbrella strollers are great because aside from being fairly light, they fold up small and can be easily gate checked.
Today we have pocket strollers: strollers that have a tri-fold so compact they can fit in the overhead bin on the airplane. Many of them are durable enough to withstand the abuse from toddlers getting in and out, cobblestone streets and other various travel wear and tear.
Parents now have a choice on whether they want to have a pocket stroller which they bring on to the airplane or a stroller which they can gate check. For checking a stroller with luggage, simply check your airlines size policies for strollers.
Read More
You'll want to bookmark my post on Flying with a Stroller, where I share ALL my tips on flying with a stroller.
Otherwise, things to consider when looking for strollers to gate check or strollers that fit in overhead bin:
1. Size of the Stroller
Know the the size of your travel stroller both open and folded. Will the folded dimensions meet the size requirements for storing the stroller in the overhead compartment on the airplane?
In the US, the standard domestic size for carry-on luggage is 22” x 14” x 9” where some might differ by an inch or two, like southwest airlines at 24” x 16” x 10”.
International airlines carry-on luggage sizes aren’t all that different, for example:
- Lufthansa: 21.7” x 15.7” x 9”.
- KLM: 21.5” x 13.5” x 10”.
- Air Canada: 21.7” x 15.7” x 9”.
From Lufthansa: "You can take so-called "pocket buggies" on board as part of your permitted carry-on baggage allowance if they have been suitably packed up to no longer look like a pushchair."
From the IATA: "carry-on baggage should have maximum length of 22 in (56 cm), width of 18 in (45 cm) and depth of 10 in (25 cm)."
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2. Weight of the Stroller
Whether you plan to gate check your stroller or bring it on the plane, it should be lightweight enough that you can easily carry it along with all your other belongings and your baby.
3. Ease Folding the Stroller
Your travel stroller should be easy to fold and unfold. A one-hand fold is best, since you can fold your stroller and hold your baby at the same time.
I recognize that often two parents are traveling together, but this isn’t always the case.
4. Price
Price is always a factor. It’s best to know your budget before starting to shop for travel strollers, especially since compact strollers for air travel often end up being the second or third stroller purchase.
5. Durability
Especially for gate checking your stroller, you don’t want one so flimsy that it falls apart if it gets tossed around. Further to that, you want a travel stroller that can withstand everything your travel throws at it: cobblestone streets, multiple folding and unfolding, uneven terrain, etc.
It should also be durable enough to last from the baby stage right through the toddler stage. I recommend getting a travel stroller with a high max weight capacity for this reason.
6. Maneuverability
There’s no point in getting a lightweight stroller for airplane travel that’s hard to push. You want a stroller that will work well in the airport but that will still glide effortlessly as you explore new cities.
7. Storage
If you don’t pack lightly (which mom does?) having plenty of storage is useful for storing all your toddler travel essentials. Some of the basic airplane travel strollers don’t have much for storage, but I have recommendations at the end for travel accessories that are worth considering.
8. Safety
Last, but by no means least, is the safety of the stroller. Your travel stroller should have a 5 point harness and brakes on the wheels. It should be easy to fold and not come unfolded while carrying.
Purchase the best travel stroller from a reputable company and choose one that gets good reviews without any safety concerns.
9. Stroller Accessories
Unfortunately, it's difficult to find the perfect travel stroller that has all the features you want. However, there are plenty of great add-on accessories for travel strollers. In this post with I share my recommendations for the best accessories for travel strollers that include sunshades, cup holders, stroller organizers, rain covers and protective stroller bags.
Have any questions? Put them in the comments and I will make sure every question gets answered!
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.