Pram/strollers suitable for hand luggage

[TAL81]

Has anybody had any experience taking any of the ultra compact prams on board as hand luggage?

We are flying several times this year short and long haul and I need something to take on board.

I have 3 children, 3.5yrs, 2yrs & 4month old. We will be taking a double umbrella stroller to check in, but our past experience of travelling to America, in particular, could mean a good 2hr wait at passport control before getting to baggage reclaim. After a long flight even the eldest will be exhausted so we couldn’t carry all 3 and hand luggage.

Gatwick is also a nightmare as you don,t get the buggy back until baggage claim and it’s one heck of a walk with 3 under 4’s and bags. Last year BA lost our stroller there AND back from Nice! Just can’t risk it this time.

I’ve had a look and the Babyzen Yoyo, although the smallest fold, is way to expensive. So that leaves the following
Mamas & Papas Acro (slightly bigger than the Yoyo)
Then these that are bigger than the cubic hand baggage restrictions
Ickle Bubba Aurora
Chicco miinimo
Baby jogger city tour
Joie pact lite

Because of the baby it has to recline and needs a decent hood/rainwear so that counts out the GB Pockit and mothercare xxs.

We are travelling with virgin and BA, I’d love to know if anyone has taken a stroller on board.

Thanks x

My friend flies with Mountainbuggy Nano. She takes it as hand luggage. You need to use either car seat or cocoon for a baby though. I don't know about the hood but I think she uses rain cover. We flew together to Spain and I remember her having a cover for it - not that it was needed in our destination! :D

I have the YoYo, we live in the US so do a lot of transatlantic travel and it’s always fine. It is cheaper without the newborn nest, the seat is technically from 6 months but reclined DD was fine in it from 4 months as she had decent head control. Couldn’t reccomend it enough.

We have the Baby Jogger City Tour and recently used it for both International and domestic flights. It fit as hand luggage in the overhead bins on all flights and was great to have it as soon as we got off the plane. It does have a slightly strange seat angle but my DD has no problems with it (15 months) and it does recline well. We have the green colour as it was cheaper than the other colors so that might be something to consider.

What did you get in the end?
I have Joie Pact and was hoping that it would be accepted by BA but I think it is just over their width dimensions :-(
Anyone travelled with it onboard?

What about the GB Pockit? I am assuming you're not looking at doubles only since you mention the Yoyo and other buggies that don't double.

Have you looked secondhand for Yoyos or Pockits? Might get some very good deals. My own Yoyo is several years old but still sturdy and fine.

I've taken the Joie Pact Lite on board a plane as hand luggage. It doesn't have the best hood though.