Taking pushchairs on planes - a few questions.

[HappyCatandIzzy]

I've never taken my 1 year old anywhere abroad but we're planning on doing soon.

Can I keep my pushchair right up until last minute in airport?
How much does it cost to take the pushchair?
Do I lose luggage allowance by taking a pushchair?
Would anyone advise buying a very cheap light pushchair either before I go or whilst over there (Greece).

All advice greatly received.
Thanks!

We were able to take the pushchair free on Ryanair, could take it up to the bottom of the steps of the plane, where they put it in the hold, then they retrieve it for you and put it at the bottom of the steps again when you arrive.

you dont have to pay anything. The check in staff will put a sticker on it, and you can take it up to the gate. Teh staff will then take it off you and you'll get it back at the other end, usually on the carosel.

HTH

Yes, you can keep your pushchair with you right up to the gate

It doesn't cost anything extra

No, it's not part of your baggage allowance (assume the answers to last 2 questions are universal across all airlines! - would probably double check)

Yes would strongly advise getting cheap buggy as they are thrown around a lot - last holiday we went on our buggy was actually broken when we got to the other end

When we've flown before we usually get to keep the pushchair until we get to the gate and then it gets handed over to be put on board the aircraft, except when we flew from Hannover (had to check it in before going through security). When you get to the other side you collect it from the luggage belt (they are usually the first items off)

The pushchair is on top of your luggage allowance and we use a umbrella folding stroller which is fairly lightweight. Buy a travel bag or strap for it though so it's easier to carry. It doesn't cost anything to take a pushchair either.

You can keep the pushchair right up to the plane. Checkin will place a sticker on it and you then hand it to the airline staff who will pass it to the baggage handlers. Some airlines will give the pushchair back to you as soon as you get off the plane while others you have to get off the carosel.
The pushchair is free to take you will not have to pay unless you are going via a cheap airline in which case check out their website or phone them. This also applies to luggage allowance - the big airlines, the pushcahir goes as separate allowance.
Unless you have a pushchair that you are particulary fond of you can shouldn't have to buy a new one. Expect a few stratches but nothing serious. You can buy bags which you can pop the pushchair in to stop that.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday - very envious as car has decided to die this weekend so have to buy a another one meaning no holiday for bella this year

Some airports you get it back on the tarmac, depends on Policy, ask at the check in desk.

Thanks so much for all your help. Now I just need to convince DH that taking a toddler on a plane is going to be ok. He's not convinced, but I really want to go abroad this year.

Hi Happy

Long time no see, you all OK?

The plane bit will be OK, we went when George was 8 months and he was fine, though DS1 did keep him entertained as much as anything else!

I'd say give DD something to suck whilst taking off and preparing for landing to help their little ears. I just BF George, much to the dissapointment of the cabin crew!

Take care xx

What pushchair do you have now? We take our Bugaboo everywhere with us, purely because DS will still (at 22m) sleep in it so we can take him out for dinner with us in the evening and he will drop off. It's hard work trying to fold it quickly when you get to the plane steps and going through security (you normally have to scan your pushchair now) but it makes us more flexible when we're away.

Oh forgot about the buggy bit.

We bought a Jane Energy stroller (it reclines flat so he could sleep in it as well) it is lightweight, folds up small, and was only about £100, I actually liked it that much that I sold his 'proper' buggy when we got back from hols and only use the Jane one now

I've found that if you're changing you often don't get the buggy back in the middle, and if you do you have to go back through security which is a bit of a pain.

DS will only sleep in his Bug so for me the effort in the airport is definitely worth it but you do need two of you. When I flew to Florence with DS solo, I had to give him to complete strangers so I could collapse the pram and he ended up sitting on the floor of Pisa airport while I put it together.

tell them when you get on you NEED the buggy back for any layovers, or when you land at the door of the plane. Some airlines do it automatically, some you need to make it clear you have to have it back. Ive had bits fall off buggies, so I'd get a cheap hol buggy if I were you. A nice lie flat, lightweight thing.

Ive been taking my twins on planes since they were 8 mnths old. They've been abroad 4 times, 3 shorthaul, one longhaul - it really isn't that bad, and I have a 5 yo and a 7yo too. Go for it and have a great time. You can take car seats as extra too on most airlines, we also have holiday car seats which go in bin liners for travel.

I'd second Chopster. DS first went abroad when he was 10 weeks and it is fine. No where near as difficult as you expect.

the other thing is that you need to empty the pram and scan that too at security, so you really do not want a massive pushchair that takes half hour to take apart.