Can you carryon an umbrella stroller?

[raider97]

I have gate checked them before, but my cousin and his family are flying American in December and want to avoid the checked baggage fees. His parents are driving down so they are taking most of their luggage, but they were thinking it would be nice to have an umbrella stroller for their littlest one in the airports.

TIA!!

Stephanie

 

[kaytieeldr]

It won't reasonably fit in an overhead compartment, so, no. They can gate check it and it shouldn't count toward their luggage limit but they would be best served by confirming AA's policy via either the website or a phone call.

They would need to approach the Gate Agent when they first get to the waiting area - not wait until boarding starts - to obtain a gate check tag. They would fill out the necessary information, then at boarding time roll the stroller down the jetway, remove the child, fold the stroller, and place as directed.

A Ramp Agent will place their stroller and any others in the cargo hold. On arrival, they would/should not rush to be the first ones off the plane, as it takes time for the Ramp Agents at the destination to bring the strollers back up to the jetway/plane entrance.

 

[Tara]

They can't carry it on the plane itself, but they can gate check it at no charge and still have access to it before/after their flight in the terminal. I do believe that they could check it with baggage at no charge - they'd have to check their airline's policies, but I do think most domestic airlines not only do not charge for a checked stroller and/or car seat, but those items don't count against the luggage allowance. Gate checking is the most convenient option, though, and there's no charge for that, either.

I just checked the AA site to confirm that they do not charge for checked strollers and/or car seats.