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 a good stroller for airplane travel will make flying with your 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), and/or fits in the overhead bin on the airplane.
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Best Travel Strollers for Flying
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.
Based on my experiences, my list of the top compact strollers for airplane travel will not only make flying easier, but have plenty of benefits while you are at your destination!
I love the one-second fold and how reliably the Butterfly 2 fits typical overhead bins for air travel. It’s compact yet has a roomy seat and a sturdy feel for everyday city walks between flights. If you need a carry-on-friendly stroller that still feels premium, this is it.
- One second ultra compact fold
- Fits in most overhead bins
- Roomy seat with good ergonomics
- Solid push and build quality
- Higher price than budget picks
- Car seat use requires adapters
I love how the YOYO³ keeps the fast, one-hand fold and compact size that made this stroller a go-to for airplane travel. It’s easy to sling over a shoulder, glides well in the airport, and fits many overhead bins. If you want a carry-on friendly stroller with great accessories, this is it.
- Compact fold that many airlines accept overhead
- Comfortable carry strap and easy sling carry
- Established ecosystem of travel accessories
- Accessories add to total cost
Aer+ is one of the easiest overhead-bin fits I’ve seen, with a fold that aligns with common IATA carry-on guidance. It’s light but still comfortable for naps between connections, making it a reliable pick for frequent flyers.
- Very light with compact folded size
- Frequently fits overhead bins
- Supportive seat and smooth fold
- Newborn use needs specific accessories
- Bumper bar and rain cover often sold separately
If you want one stroller for travel and daily errands, the MINU V3 improves the fold and footprint over V2 while keeping the 50 lb seat rating. It feels robust on sidewalks but still packs small for planes and road trips.
- Smaller fold than V2 with 50 lb seat rating
- Strong everyday usability
- Good accessory ecosystem
- Not the tiniest overhead-bin package
- Often priced above budget picks
Jet 5 offers a deep recline with a compact fold that is easy to wheel right down the jetway. If naps matter on long travel days, the seat and canopy coverage make a real difference.
- Full-flat recline for better sleep
- Compact fold for cabin travel
- One-hand operation is straightforward
- Heavier than the tiniest cabin strollers
- Premium accessories can add cost
Metro+ is my pick when you want a small fold plus a near-flat recline. It is comfortable for naps, easy to carry, and car-seat compatible. The push is smoother than most budget umbrellas and the fold is compact enough for overhead bins on some airlines.
- Near-flat recline for naps
- Compact fold with carry strap
- Travel-system ready
- Supportive seat cushioning
- Heavier than Pockit-class models
- Handlebar height is fixed
Quid keeps weight down and folds tiny for overhead bins. The US version reclines up to 155 degrees, which is plenty for airport naps and quick city outings between flights.
- Very light and compact
- Easy one-hand fold
- Good canopy for size
- Narrower seat than Butterfly or MINU
Nano Urban modernizes the beloved Nano design with interchangeable wheel sets and a compact fold that meets many overhead-bin scenarios. The travel wheel set keeps the weight down and the package smaller for flights.
- Compact fold with included carry satchel
- Light at about 13 lbs with travel wheels
- Works with many infant seats via travel belt
- Smaller wheels in travel mode reduce cushion
- Accessories selection is limited
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What to Look for in 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).“
2. Weight of the Stroller
Whether you plan to gate check your travel 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 your 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 your 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.
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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.