Family Travel Experts

American Airlines' New Regulation For Strollers

Details: Published on Friday, June 10, 2011 16:46; Written by Toronto TravelingMom

If you travel with little kids and tend to bring a stroller on your flights, you may want to check the weight of your baby buggy before booking with American Airlines. The company issued a new rule effective - this month - that regulates their stroller allowance.

Beginning June 1st, "all strollers that are large, non-collapsible or over 20 lbs," must be checked at the ticket counter. That cuts out most travel systems unless you have purchased one of the newer ones like Britax's new B-Agile. If you travel with lighter weight strollers, no worries as the rule only applies to non-collapsible baby strollers weighing over the 20 lb mark. The lightweight, umbrella or collapsible strollers can be taken on board as long as it fits in the overhead bins and they are completely exempt from the regular carry-on allowance.

Personally, I think the new regulations are unrealistic. if you currently have a stroller that weighs more than American Airline's requirement are you really supposed to carry your baby around the airport while waiting for your flight?

So what do you think of the new rules? Fair or not so much? If you have a baby will you think twice before traveling with American Airlines?

Author Profile: Toronto TravelingMom - Website

Nadia Carriere, the founder and editor of ChildMode.com and TravelerMode.com is a writer and avid traveler. When she isn’t covering breaking news, writing or tweeting, Nadia enjoys photography, reading and spending time with her family.

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Comments

#5 seander01 2011-08-01 15:42

This policy is so crazy! I just discovered it yesterday when we were checking in our luggage at the Minneapolis airport. It doesn't save AA any time or money and seriously inconveniences its passengers. Umbrella strollers don't cut it when you've got more than one child and enough carry-ons to keep everyone entertained on the flight, and you can only put so much in a backpack. You need the area under the stroller for the bags. This is just stupid, stupid, stupid, and I'm outraged! Plus, if you check a stroller at the ticket agent, it's at a far greater risk of being damaged. When you're going for a long vacation, that's not a risk you can take! You need your stroller in the airport, and you need it intact when you arrive. And what if they lose it, or it doesn't make your connection? Also, without a stroller, we wouldn't make our connections. I'm so frustrated with this policy. You can contact Tim Smith at AA here:
817-967-1577
mediarelations

aa.com

Sarah

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#4 kelly Ouimet 2011-06-20 10:05

I think I am in the minority, but I don't have a problem with this policy being enforced, I think there are a number of issues at play, including the "safety" of the stroller-the space used for checked bags isn't large, and more often than not, there is chance for a larger stroller to be damaged if gate checked. I do understand that parents don't want to have to buy a new stroller simply for travel purposes and I am sympathetic to that, but I am not sure that the airlines need to make an exception because of it. (and when you can check it). My gate checked stroller is a travel essential, but I also realize that the airline employee has to carry it down narrow stairs so their safety has to be considered as well.

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#3 Berkeley Murray 2011-06-20 09:43

This is going to pose a problem for families with multiples! What stroller is there for multiples that weighs less that 20pds?

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#2 Sarah 2011-06-20 09:43

This is really a detriment to mother's of multiples. I have twin girls and can't imagine carrying them around an airport with a diaper bag and managing my 5 year old at the same time. I also have one of the lightest double strollers on the market. At 22.5 lbs it doesn't make the cut! I guess I won't be flying American Airlines anymore!

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#1 Kelly 2011-06-20 08:37

I've always carried my son around in a carrier (ErgoBaby) and find that way easier than lugging strollers or anything around. That coupled with a CARES harness and I'm off the plane faster than most childless people.

At the same time, they're making strollers lighter these days. Even my BabyJogger CityMini is only 17lbs. You can gate check a stroller most of the time. Experienced flyers know less is more!

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