For flying veterans, once you understand the airline rule for flying with kids, it becomes second nature. The real challenge is for the first time parents who travel. It is always a challenge to fly with children especially with infants.Â
The logistics themselves can be daunting. It is always amazing how much stuff and gear you need to take when traveling with a little one. Fortunately, airlines have set some pretty good parameters. You may not agree with all of them but it is good to know the basics.
Let’s look at Delta Air Lines and what they have set up for flying with strollers and car seats.
Complimentary Checking: Strollers and Car Seats Fly Free!
One of the biggest reliefs for parents flying Delta is that children’s strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of your standard baggage allowance. This means you can check them for free, regardless of your ticket type or other luggage. This is a huge relief monetarily, at least for parents. The downside is that you need to give up the stroller and the car seats prior to security.
You have a few convenient options for checking these items:
Curbside Check-in: If available at your airport, you can drop off your stroller and car seat right at the curb.
Ticket Counter or Baggage Drop: The most common method is to check these items at the ticket counter along with your other luggage before going through security.
Gate Check: This is often the most popular option for strollers. You can keep your stroller with you all the way to the boarding gate, then collapse it and have a Delta representative tag it for gate checking. It will then be loaded into the cargo hold and typically returned to you planeside upon arrival. Delta has this option nailed down. I have used this many times and there can be a nice lineup of strollers in the jet bridge as you deplane.
Strollers as Carry-On: When is it Possible?
While most larger strollers will need to be checked (either at the counter or gate), smaller, compact, and collapsible travel strollers that meet standard carry-on size restrictions (22″ x 14″ x 9″) may be brought into the cabin and stored in the overhead bin. This is new news for me. I always thought you needed to gate check strollers.
However, it’s important to note that if you bring the stroller onto the plane it will count as one your carry-ons.
Limited overhead space: Even if you are entitled to bring the stroller on board, gate agents or flight attendants will still ask you to gate check it due to limited space, even if it technically meets the size requirements. They will do this first since the stroller appears to take up so much room.
Car Seat Policies: Onboard or Checked
FAA Approved: If you’ve purchased a seat for your child, you can bring an FAA-approved child safety seat onboard and use it during takeoff, landing, and during the flight. The car seat must have a label stating “certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”
Placement Restrictions: Car seats are generally not permitted in exit rows or aisle seats. They also may not fit in certain premium cabin seats (e.g., flatbed seats on specific aircraft like the Airbus A330-200 or A330-300). Always secure the child according to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the car seat’s width (typically max 16-18 inches) fits the aircraft seat.
Lap Infants: If you haven’t purchased a seat for your child (and they are under two years old, flying as a lap infant), but there’s an open passenger seat available in your row, you may be able to use your FAA-approved car seat in that empty seat. If no empty seat is available, the car seat must be checked. This is a risky bet to take the car seat on board hoping that the seat next to you will be empty.
Booster Seats: Booster seats can be brought onboard, but cannot be used during taxi, takeoff, or landing.
Bassinets or Sky Cots: For infants on some international flights, Delta provides an onboard baby bassinets for children weighing up to 20 lbs. and up to 26 inches long. These onboard bassinets are free of charge for the passengers. Please note that all infants must be held during takeoff, landing and whenever the seat belt light is on. This seems like the best that a newborn parent could ask for. I only wish they had them on long haul domestic flights!
Additional Carry-On Items: In addition to your standard carry-on allowance, you can bring a booster seat, other infant seat or bassinet (if it can be secured tightly by a seatbelt to an aircraft seat), or a breast pump and associated cooler bag as an additional free item. These are still subject to carry-on size restrictions.
Diaper Bags: A diaper bag typically counts as your personal item.
Portable Cribs/Playpens: Items like Pack-N-Plays and wagons are generally not considered strollers and will count towards your checked baggage allowance, incurring standard baggage fees if you exceed your limit.
Protect Your Gear: Consider using a protective travel bag or cover for your stroller and car seat, especially if gate checking, as baggage handlers can sometimes be rough. When I say sometimes, I mean most of the time. Label your items clearly with your contact information.
Boarding Priority: Delta typically allows families with strollers and car seats to board after pre-boarding, giving you a bit more time to get settled. Definitely, take advantage of this. You will have more time to set up your family and you will the benefit of free overhead space.
By familiarizing yourself with these guidelines, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience when flying with your little ones on Delta. Happy travels!