First Baby Mall

Can I take the infant car seat and stroller on a plane?

A folded stroller at the airport gate (illustration)
Illustration

The short answer

Yes, if your seat's maker says so: 39 of the 64 infant seats we track carry that wording. The catch is the base. 5 fly with or without it, 3 only with it, 8 only without it, and the rest don't say.

Check yours below, then take the checklist. Your airline has its own rules too.

What does the maker say about yours?

Pick your car seat and stroller. We'll remember them on this device for the other guides.

What catches parents out

  1. 3 seats are approved to fly only with the base — so the base goes on the plane too

    Nuna Pipa Lite, Nuna Pipa Lite LX, Nuna Pipa Lite R

    What the maker says
    • “When used with the base, This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft.” Nuna manual (PDF)
    • “When used with the base, This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft.” Nuna manual (PDF)

  2. 8 seats are the opposite: approved to fly only without the base

    Cybex Aton G, Cybex Cloud G, Cybex Cloud G Lux, Doona Doona X and 4 more

    What the maker says
    • “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN AIRCRAFT IF USED WITHOUT THE BASE.” Cybex manual (PDF)
    • “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN AIRCRAFT IF USED WITHOUT THE BASE.” Cybex manual (PDF)
    • “The Doona X meets FMVSS213B (car seat), ASTM F833 (stroller), and ASTM F2050 (hand-held infant carrier). It is also FAA approved for use on aircraft without a base.” Doona help article

  3. Some seats may only go on a plane seat that faces forward

    Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35, Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX

    What the maker says
    • “This child restraint is certified for use in aircraft. Use only on forward-facing aircraft seats.” Graco manual (PDF)
    • “This child restraint is certified for use in aircraft. Use only on forward-facing aircraft seats.” Graco manual (PDF)

  4. Maxi-Cosi manuals put the car seat in the window seat, so the aisle stays clear

    Maxi-Cosi Mico 30, Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30, Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus

    What the maker says
    • “Aircraft Information This restraint is certified for aircraft use. Install the child restraint in a window seat to avoid blocking the aisle.” Maxi-Cosi manual (PDF)
    • “Aircraft Information This restraint is certified for aircraft use. Install the car seat in a window seat to avoid blocking the aisle.” Maxi-Cosi product page
    • “Aircraft Information This restraint is certified for aircraft use. Install the child restraint in a window seat to avoid blocking the aisle.” Maxi-Cosi manual (PDF)

  5. The Evenflo Shyft DualRide flies with the stroller wheels still attached

    Evenflo Shyft DualRide

    What the maker says
    • “The Shyft™ DualRide™ is approved for use on an aircraft with the stroller wheels attached to the infant carrier. The base may not be used for installation on the aircraft.” Evenflo help article

  6. Maxi-Cosi says a seat on a plane may sit more securely without the base

    Maxi-Cosi infant seats

    What the maker says
    • No. The base is an accessory; the infant seat can be installed without it. In narrow vehicle seats, or on a plane, you may get a more secure fit without the base. Maxi-Cosi help article

  7. 4 brands' warranties don't cover damage done by the airline, gate-checking included

    Baby Jogger, Mockingbird, Nuna, UPPAbaby

    What the maker says
    • The warranty does not cover products bought used or second hand, normal wear and tear, or accident, airline or freight damage. Baby Jogger product page (archived copy)
    • Damage from airlines or other shippers, including gate-checking, is not treated as a defect under the warranty. Mockingbird product page
    • Nuna's limited warranty does not cover damage from airline handling, products bought from an unauthorized retailer, or second owners. Nuna help article

Your checklist

0 of 9 done

Before you go

At the airport

On board

Four seats worth knowing about

Nuna Pipa Lite (illustration)
Lightest approved carrierNuna Pipa Lite5.3 lb. The catch: it is approved only with its base, so you carry the base too.
Nuna Pipa Aire (illustration)
Lowest list price that can fly without the baseNuna Pipa Aire$440 list price, 6 lb. With or without the base.
Nuna Pipa Aire RX (illustration)
Next-lightest that flies with or without the baseNuna Pipa Aire RX6.2 lb, and the base can stay home.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide (illustration)
No stroller to gate-checkEvenflo Shyft DualRideA car seat with its own wheels, 8 lb. It flies with the wheels on.

What you carry through the airport

Carrier weight of every seat whose maker says it is approved for aircraft, lightest first. Tap a seat for the maker's words.

Strollers whose makers say they fit the cabin

Stokke YOYO²

13.6 lb · folded 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 in (52 x 44 x 18 cm)

Folds to 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 in, a size most airlines accept as cabin luggage (check yours). Stokke product page (archived copy)

Bugaboo Butterfly 2

16 lb · folded 17.6 x 9.6 x 21.8 inches

Folds in about a second into a package that fits airline overhead bins. Bugaboo product page

UPPAbaby Minu V3

16.7 lb · folded 10 x 18 x 21.5 in (L x W x H)

The maker says it fits airplane overhead compartments. UPPAbaby product page

Colugo Compact Stroller

16.18 lb · folded 17.6" x 10.6" 22

Folded size is small enough for an airplane overhead bin. Colugo product page (archived copy)

Every stroller by folded size →

Next: From the car to a walkHow do I move a sleeping baby from the car to the stroller? →

Everything here is built from the makers' published data and changes when it does. How we verify.