Pushchairs and planes

[SE22]

Hello
I am travelling to Abu Dhabi via Oman on Friday with 7 mth old DS. What happens with the pushchair when you get on and off flights? Will I have to carry my heavy baby round heathrow on the way back? Will I have it back for the transfer?
Thanks!

When we travelled to USA, we could take our pushchair to the plane, then as we boarded, it got checked into the hold. When we got off the plane, we waited at the end of the gangway and all the pushchairs were brought up from the plane for us. This means that you will get your pushchair from the first flight, take it to your transfer flight and then recheck it into the hold at the plane entrance.

I am pretty sure this would apply to all plane journeys?

I would check with your airline. I haven't done a transfer flight but while most flights let you take the buggy to the gate, they then come out of the carousel as hold baggage so you have to walk all through security etc carrying your baby. If your baggage is transferred through then you might find your buggy does that too unless you have made special arrangements.

On our most recent flight, there were only two babies on board so they carried the buggies in one of the cupboards on the plane so we could have them at the gate because they had the space. You might want to get a bit bolshy and demand they do that.

To be on the safe side, I'd talk to the airline beforehand and be very bolshy specific about what you want them to do with it at the gate and when you get off the plane etc.

Brilliant - thank you!

It depends on the airport, not so much the airline although if you are getting onto a big plane (747 etc)for a long-haul trip they have more room to be able to carry a small buggy onboard if you are desperate.

I always took a sling with me if I wasn't sure if I was going to get my buggy back at the gate or have to wait to get it with the rest of our baggage. It really depends on whether the airport you land at provides the ability to get buggies off the plane and drop them at the gate rather than carting them off to be collected at baggage reclaim.

Either way, a sling in your hand luggage is still useful, for the plane or at your destination.