Air Travel with Uppababy stroller and car seat

[janegold]

Hi all, I'm taking B (10 weeks) on his first plane ride next week. Traveling solo - pray for me! Anyway, I plan to gate check his stroller and infant car seat. We have the Uppababy Vista and Mesa. Are the UB travel bags worth it? I like the idea that UB will cover any damage that occurs when using the bags, but they're so damn expensive. Are they worth the money? Are there good alternatives? Do strollers and car seats really get that banged up at gate check (or if we were to check them as regular luggage at some point down the road). I guess that's not really an UB-specific question so I would appreciate insight that anyone may have.

[gigem]

My stuff gets banged up like crazy, both gate and regular check. I only do international travel but airlines have broken two of my strollers and broken small "cosmetic" parts off another. They paid to fully reimburse both (the one that had the small broken parts I didn't fight them). I wouldn't buy an expensive bag because that will just help to prevent scratches, mine were both crushed by something or someone standing on top of them, a bag wouldn't have helped.

As for car seat, I always bring mine on the plane, i still dont see how a bag can help it if it gets banged around in the hold unless it was in hard case. If there isnt an extra seat on the plane to install the car seat (in the case i didnt buy a seat either) the flight attendant puts it somewhere in storage in the plane and not below.

Ull be fine alone! I do it all the time, just try to relax and accept in advance that you might not sleep or eat much haha

[VillainV]

We have never had stroller or car seat damage from gate checking (or counter-checking for that matter).

Remember that you will have to completely collapse the stroller at security and send both pieces through the belt scanner. I would highly recommend wearing baby through security if you have a carrier. This will keep your hands free.

[miamigirl]

Good luck! I travelled with S alone and it was easier than I thought. I hope you have a similar experience.

I've flown with our umbrella stroller once and with our Cruz and always gate-checked them. I didn't use a bag and they were fine. I don't think you could gate-check the Vista due to its weight, so if you check it with regular luggage you should get a bag.

I always check the carseat with regular luggage. I use a random bag I got on Amazon, never had an issue.

[ribollita]

I always checked at the ticket counter but I love my UBV bag and have used it a ton over two kids.

[bcarp30]

We have the travel bags for all our UB strollers and they do protect them and will replace. Highly recommend. If you take the vista through security I think the back wheels need to come off otherwise it has to be hand swiped since it doesn't fit through the machine. We have the 2012 model though, not sure if the new one is narrower.

I think my stuff has been equally banged up gate vs curb check so I would curb check just because it's easier.

Good luck!

[pooh8402]

Feb 20, 2017 9:32:38 GMT -5 VillainV said:

We have never had stroller or car seat damage from gate checking (or counter-checking for that matter).

Remember that you will have to completely collapse the stroller at security and send both pieces through the belt scanner. I would highly recommend wearing baby through security if you have a carrier. This will keep your hands free.

Ditto. I used the cheap Childress gate check bags, they're red, and my stroller and car seat have been fine when gate checked. I think baby wearing is super helpful when traveling.

[preppy]

We have the UB bags for the strollers but the cheap Amazon bag for the Mesa. We curbside checked the car seat and gate check strollers. I think the bags are worth it since they would cover costs if there was damage and the strollers are so $$.

[janegold]

Feb 20, 2017 9:31:49 GMT -5 gigem said:

As for car seat, I always bring mine on the plane, i still dont see how a bag can help it if it gets banged around in the hold unless it was in hard case. If there isnt an extra seat on the plane to install the car seat (in the case i didnt buy a seat either) the flight attendant puts it somewhere in storage in the plane and not below.

Ull be fine alone! I do it all the time, just try to relax and accept in advance that you might not sleep or eat much haha

Oh I was wondering about whether I might be able to bring the car seat with me on board. I didn't buy an extra seat for him but if the flight is not full, I was wondering whether the gate attendants might let me put it in an empty middle seat. So you've had pretty good luck with this?

[janegold]

Feb 20, 2017 9:32:38 GMT -5 VillainV said:

We have never had stroller or car seat damage from gate checking (or counter-checking for that matter).

Remember that you will have to completely collapse the stroller at security and send both pieces through the belt scanner. I would highly recommend wearing baby through security if you have a carrier. This will keep your hands free.

I didn't think about security at all, good point! Ugh.

[CloudBee]

I never owned those models, but I flew alone with DS when he was about 10 weeks. Good choice on gate checking.

I regret every buying a stroller bag and stopped using it after 1 flight. But I always put our carseats in bags, and bought a generic cheapie.

[CloudBee]

Feb 20, 2017 9:32:38 GMT -5 VillainV said:

We have never had stroller or car seat damage from gate checking (or counter-checking for that matter).

Remember that you will have to completely collapse the stroller at security and send both pieces through the belt scanner. I would highly recommend wearing baby through security if you have a carrier. This will keep your hands free.

Yes! This is very tricky even while wearing the baby, so if someone offers to help you with anything while going through security, take them up on the offer! SaveSave

[boiler717]

I love my UB travel bag! It's a pain to put in so I would definitely luggage check it instead of gate checking the stroller. We have a car seat bag that has back pack straps which is super helpful. We also luggage check it as well.

[pooh8402]

Feb 20, 2017 9:56:37 GMT -5 janegold said:

Feb 20, 2017 9:31:49 GMT -5 gigem said:

As for car seat, I always bring mine on the plane, i still dont see how a bag can help it if it gets banged around in the hold unless it was in hard case. If there isnt an extra seat on the plane to install the car seat (in the case i didnt buy a seat either) the flight attendant puts it somewhere in storage in the plane and not below.

Ull be fine alone! I do it all the time, just try to relax and accept in advance that you might not sleep or eat much haha

Oh I was wondering about whether I might be able to bring the car seat with me on board. I didn't buy an extra seat for him but if the flight is not full, I was wondering whether the gate attendants might let me put it in an empty middle seat. So you've had pretty good luck with this?

I've had shit luck with this. As in, in 6 different flights with my son, I've tried this and it's never worked. My H is too cheap to buy him a seat until we have to, but the CPST in me really wanted him in a seat. I'm looking forward to him turning 2 and getting his own seat.

It doesn't hurt to try, but don't get your hopes up.

[gigem]

Feb 20, 2017 9:56:37 GMT -5 janegold said:

Feb 20, 2017 9:31:49 GMT -5 gigem said:

As for car seat, I always bring mine on the plane, i still dont see how a bag can help it if it gets banged around in the hold unless it was in hard case. If there isnt an extra seat on the plane to install the car seat (in the case i didnt buy a seat either) the flight attendant puts it somewhere in storage in the plane and not below.

Ull be fine alone! I do it all the time, just try to relax and accept in advance that you might not sleep or eat much haha

Oh I was wondering about whether I might be able to bring the car seat with me on board. I didn't buy an extra seat for him but if the flight is not full, I was wondering whether the gate attendants might let me put it in an empty middle seat. So you've had pretty good luck with this?

Hit or miss honestly but imo always worth a shot

Security doesnt bother me too much, i do it regularly alone w two kids now under 3.5 previously with 2 under 2, just stay relaxed, someone will always help you. Honestly getting a dismantled stroller thru is less trouble than the usual take out all ur electronics and liquids etc etc. Worst part for me is packing it all back up again. Get yourself and baby thru and your stuff comes down the xray belt then put baby back in car seat and pack up with hands free. You just hand someone the baby while you dismount everything it is easier than taking baby out of the stroller and put him into the carrier. Then if u have a carrier they have to hand search you which adds more time.

I hav been told before that if my stroller doesn't pass through the xray machine i cannot bring it to gate check but that was not in the States. You will be fine don't panic, I prefer traveling alone with my kids, then I am survival mode and dont have time to stress so I am more efficient.

[janegold]

Feb 20, 2017 10:09:10 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

I love my UB travel bag! It's a pain to put in so I would definitely luggage check it instead of gate checking the stroller. We have a car seat bag that has back pack straps which is super helpful. We also luggage check it as well.

This makes sense although one of the main reasons I wanted to bring the stroller was for ease of getting through the airport. At this point, it seems like it's kind of a toss-up whether the convenience of pushing him through the airport outweighs the hassle of actually getting the stroller through the airport.

[janegold]

Also, I know there have been 183847473829 posts on here on similar topics, so thank you guys for humoring me

[VillainV]

No, you won't be able to put t in an empty middle seat. You can only install car seats in window seats (or the middle seat of a middle row, if your plane is that big). Otherwise it will block someone from being able to get to an exit.

[Smolinsk]

Feb 20, 2017 9:56:37 GMT -5 janegold said:

Feb 20, 2017 9:31:49 GMT -5 gigem said:

As for car seat, I always bring mine on the plane, i still dont see how a bag can help it if it gets banged around in the hold unless it was in hard case. If there isnt an extra seat on the plane to install the car seat (in the case i didnt buy a seat either) the flight attendant puts it somewhere in storage in the plane and not below.

Ull be fine alone! I do it all the time, just try to relax and accept in advance that you might not sleep or eat much haha

Oh I was wondering about whether I might be able to bring the car seat with me on board. I didn't buy an extra seat for him but if the flight is not full, I was wondering whether the gate attendants might let me put it in an empty middle seat. So you've had pretty good luck with this?

If you are able to install the seat on the plane it has to be in the window seat. Car seats take up so much room and they won't let it block the ability of another passenger to exit in case of emergency.

[pooh8402]

Here's my thoughts on stroller/no stroller in the airport.

I flew back from Hawaii solo with my then 7 month old. I took the stroller/car seat combo. I used the travel system to carry bags, and wore him in the airport. It was no problem going through security. I have been allowed to keep him in my carrier and have my hands swabbed, no pat down. My stroller is a Chicco Liteway Plus, so it folds down small enough to fit through xray.

[gt7301b]

We have a cosco scenera next that we use for travel. That way I can gate check it if there isn't a seat. I ask if there is a possibility of a seat when I check my bag and if not I check the car seat there. Since it is our travel seat I am okay with checking it at the counter. I've found that some airports will make you break the stroller down and some won't. I always ask them to just check it without having to break it down. I've found I you are traveling solo they are pretty sympathetic.

[redblue]

Check the weight that the airline allows to gate check, some have limits. American were quite shitty with us at check in with our UBV.

[janegold]

Feb 20, 2017 11:42:11 GMT -5 redblue said:

Check the weight that the airline allows to gate check, some have limits. American were quite shitty with us at check in with our UBV.

Yeah, I'm seeing that online about AA. It sounds like Delta is more flexible but I will double check if I end up deciding to try and gate check.

[starryfish]

Feb 20, 2017 9:56:37 GMT -5 janegold said:

Feb 20, 2017 9:31:49 GMT -5 gigem said:

As for car seat, I always bring mine on the plane, i still dont see how a bag can help it if it gets banged around in the hold unless it was in hard case. If there isnt an extra seat on the plane to install the car seat (in the case i didnt buy a seat either) the flight attendant puts it somewhere in storage in the plane and not below.

Ull be fine alone! I do it all the time, just try to relax and accept in advance that you might not sleep or eat much haha

Oh I was wondering about whether I might be able to bring the car seat with me on board. I didn't buy an extra seat for him but if the flight is not full, I was wondering whether the gate attendants might let me put it in an empty middle seat. So you've had pretty good luck with this?

We flew recently on SW and both ways there was extra seats and the gate agents said we could bring the car seat in. We did it on the first flight but not on the second bc it took up a lot of room and it has to go in the window seat bc it blocks your exit if you put it in the middle seat. It blocked my left arm and made it hard to nurse her on the left.

[genet313]

Feb 20, 2017 9:33:35 GMT -5 miamigirl said:

Good luck! I travelled with S alone and it was easier than I thought. I hope you have a similar experience.

I've flown with our umbrella stroller once and with our Cruz and always gate-checked them. I didn't use a bag and they were fine. I don't think you could gate-check the Vista due to its weight, so if you check it with regular luggage you should get a bag.

I always check the carseat with regular luggage. I use a random bag I got on Amazon, never had an issue.

You can gate check the Vista I've done it several times no issue. With and without the car seat as well, but in a separate bag. I've also gate checked the g luxe. I did get the bag for piece of mind and was able to put both strollers in the same bag at least. No damage any time thankfully.

[miamigirl]

Feb 20, 2017 13:16:15 GMT -5 genet313 said:

Feb 20, 2017 9:33:35 GMT -5 miamigirl said:

Good luck! I travelled with S alone and it was easier than I thought. I hope you have a similar experience.

I've flown with our umbrella stroller once and with our Cruz and always gate-checked them. I didn't use a bag and they were fine. I don't think you could gate-check the Vista due to its weight, so if you check it with regular luggage you should get a bag.

I always check the carseat with regular luggage. I use a random bag I got on Amazon, never had an issue.

You can gate check the Vista I've done it several times no issue. With and without the car seat as well, but in a separate bag. I've also gate checked the g luxe. I did get the bag for piece of mind and was able to put both strollers in the same bag at least. No damage any time thankfully.

It depends on the airline. In my experience, American will not let you gate check the Vista (or anything over 20lb)

[Jalapeñomel]

I've never had a stroller or car seat damaged, but neither one is very expensive. If I had a more expensive stroller, I'd probably be overly cautious.

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 20, 2017 13:19:35 GMT -5 miamigirl said:

Feb 20, 2017 13:16:15 GMT -5 genet313 said:

You can gate check the Vista I've done it several times no issue. With and without the car seat as well, but in a separate bag. I've also gate checked the g luxe. I did get the bag for piece of mind and was able to put both strollers in the same bag at least. No damage any time thankfully.

It depends on the airline. In my experience, American will not let you gate check the Vista (or anything over 20lb)

American is very strict!

[miamigirl]

Feb 20, 2017 13:25:07 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Feb 20, 2017 13:19:35 GMT -5 miamigirl said:

It depends on the airline. In my experience, American will not let you gate check the Vista (or anything over 20lb)

American is very strict!

Yes! They can be annoying!

[Smolinsk]

I've never checked a car seat or stroller but a friend of mine gate checked her stroller, the airline broke it and then they refused to cover the damage. If buying the bag means the manufacturer will cover damage, it definitely seems like it would be worth the piece of mind.