Can I take a Phil & Teds E3 Double Pushchair on the plane?

[lozzy1974]

Hi, We've just booked our first overseas holiday since our DS's were born (now aged 3 and 1).Took major work on my part to convince DH that it was a good idea and am now panicking that we didnt check before we booked that we could take our double pushchair with us. It'a Phil & Teds E3 double jobby (the double decker variety with the toddler seat underneath). Anyone flown with one of these? Am a bit worried as it doesnt collapse completely flat and don't want to pay a fortune for extra luggage allowance for it if they won't take it for free. Will they also let me take it all the way to the gate at the airport before I hand it over? Am having slight panic about having a tearaway 3 year old and an 18 month old toddler roaming the airport unrestrained without a pushchair!

Well, I don't have one of those, but I once travelled on a plane with an enourmous Emmaljunga pram. It folds down a little, but not a lot. You should have seen the luggage handlers faces getting it onto the plane! But in all seriousness, I had no problems with them accepting it. There was nothing written anywhere that actually limited the size of the pushchair.

Depends who you are flying with! Most airlines (apart from budget ones) will include a pushchair in your free allowance.

I have taken a double abroad, but it went in the hold. They do get a bit battered so if yours is very precious maybe get an old one on Freecycle for your holiday.

They usually let you take it to the gate, but you probably won't get it back until baggage reclaim so will have to carry/walk your children to baggage.

I took my Phil and Teds double to Vegas this year on Virgin. No problem, if fact it was a godsend. My boys were 3 and 6 months old and it was perfect. I bought a sunshade and I am so glad I took it. I took it all the way to the gate. Only problem I had was that I had the travel bag but it was a git to fit the pram into. I should have practiced at home first, rather than stressing at the gate with 400 bemused onlookers. Take it - I can't say that enough. You won't regret it.

The Phil and Teds' is fairly compact once you have the wheels off, even with the double seat on the front. I know I have taken it on a train!

When we went on hols last year it was not space on the plane that would have been issue, but space in the hire car boot! At the last minute I decided DS1 (then 3.5) would have to walk whether he liked it or not and took a single stroller rather than the P&T, it was fine in the end.