The 10 Best Strollers that Fit in an Airplane Overhead Bin
If you’ve ever flown with your infant or toddler, you know that gate-checking your stroller creates an extra step before takeoff and risks damage to it while it’s out of sight. It also means waiting on a crowded jet bridge for crew members to bring the stroller back to you after landing — when all you and your family want to do is get off that plane as fast as possible after the trauma of flying with your adorable baby.
Thankfully, today’s baby gear geniuses have provided traveling parents with versatile, compact strollers that parents can carry right onto the plane and place in the overhead bin.
The Winning Lineup
In order from most to least expensive, these are our ten favorite carry-on-approved travel strollers and their approximate costs:
- Best high-end: Joolz AER ($450)
- Best storage capacity: Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Stroller ($450)
- Best for urban transit: Silver Cross Jet 3 ($450)
- Most known among airlines: Babyzen YOYO2 ($499)
- Best mid-priced: Cybex Libelle ($330)
- Best newborn-ready: Ergobaby Metro+ Compact City Stroller ($299)
- Most compact fold: Munchkin Sparrow ($220)
- Best for siblings: Phil & Ted Go Petite Inline ($210)
- Lightest weight: GB Pockit Air ($199)
- Most budget-friendly: Delta Children the Clutch ($130)
Detailed Buying Guide
Read on for a detailed breakdown of each stroller on our all-star list, including dimensions, weight, storage capacity (clutch for family travel days!), and other essential specs.
We’ve used the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommended max dimensions of 22” by 18” by 10” as our guideline for carry-on luggage. Remember to check with your airline for specific carry-on size requirements before heading to the airport, and that slightly larger compact strollers may be fine to slide into the overhead compartment on most flights. (We’ve carried our beloved UPPAbaby Minu onto the plane several times now, even though it’s a couple inches beyond the limit.)
Best high-end: Joolz AER
- Approximate price: $450
- Weight: 13.4 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 20.9” long by 17.7” wide by 9.1” high
- Open dimensions: 32.7” long by 17.7” wide by 41.5” high
- Suspension: All-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 6 months to 50 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
The AER is a high-quality compact stroller with a one-handed folding mechanism. Parents traveling with a newborn have the option of attaching a car seat or an infant bassinet with the purchase of adapters. The AER boasts an extended child seat-back; a padded, reclining seat; and a protective sun canopy. It has sleek aesthetics, with durable, textured fabrics in neutral colors. A rain cover, travel bag, and attached carrying strap are included with purchase.
Read our full Joolz Aer review.
Best storage capacity: Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Stroller
- Approximate price: $450
- Weight: 16.1 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 21.3” long by 17.7” wide by 9.1” high
- Open dimensions: 36.4” long by 17.7” wide by 40.3” high
- Suspension: All-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 6 months to 48.5 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 17.6 pounds
We love the Butterfly for its whopping 17.6-pound storage capacity alone, not to mention its compact, one-handed fold, and modern, streamlined design. The seat has an adjustable recline and leg rest for the child’s comfort.
An extendable canopy and included rain cover help protect passengers from the elements, and all fabrics are machine washable for when things get extra messy. Parents can use the included carrying strap to transport the Butterfly or convert it to a travel system with the purchase of car seat adapters.
Best for urban transit: Silver Cross Jet 3
- Approximate price: $450
- Weight: 13.6 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 21.7” long by 11.8” wide by 7.1” high
- Open dimensions: 35.4” long by 17.7” wide by 39.5” high
- Suspension: Front-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: Newborn to 55 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
When they aren’t pushing their little one in the Jet 3, parents can collapse it with one hand, slide on the included travel sleeve, and pull it like a suitcase on wheels through subway tunnels, train stations, and airport terminals. In addition to its innovative trolley-mode feature, Silver Cross’ compact stroller has an easy-to-use magnetic harness buckle, an adjustable footrest, and a pop-out sun canopy. The Jet 3’s padded stroller seat reclines to support newborns from day one or attaches to an infant car seat with the separate purchase of adapters.
Best Known Among Airlines: Babyzen YOYO2
- Approximate price: $499
- Weight: 13.6 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 20.5” long by 17.3” wide by 7.1” high
- Open dimensions: 33.8” long by 17.3” wide by 41.7” high
- Suspension: All-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 6 months to 48.5 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
After folding down the canopy, the YOYO2 rapidly folds and unfolds with one hand like a yo-yo. It offers multiple ways to travel with a baby, including the reclining stroller seat, compatible infant car seats, a bassinet accessory, and a soft newborn pack with a flat mattress that stays attached even when the stroller’s folded compactly.
The YOYO2 is the only buggy on our list with a safety wrist strap, which prevents it from running away on ramps and hills. It also has a water-repellant canopy and a zippered storage pocket to protect Mom or Dad’s essentials. Parents can carry the stroller via the padded shoulder strap or in the included carrying bag.
What we like most about it is how recognizable it is by airlines. While some might question allowing other stroller brands onboard, the Babyzen YoYo is so well established that it usually gets the green light with ease.
Read our full review of the Babyzen Yoyo2 here and our comparison of the Yoyo vs. Joolz Aer here and Yoyo vs. Ergobaby Metro+ here.
Best mid-priced: Cybex Libelle
- Approximate price: $330
- Weight: 13.7 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 18.9” long by 12.6” wide by 7.8” high
- Open dimensions: 28.7” long by 20.5” wide by 40.9” high
- Suspension: Front-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 6 months to 55 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
With an ultra compact fold, ample storage capacity, and front-wheel suspension, the Libelle takes the cake for our favorite mid-priced carry-on stroller. Although it requires two hands and multiple steps to collapse, it’s one of the smallest folded strollers on our list.
Parents love the machine-washable materials and adjustable recline and leg support. Included with purchase are adapters to attach Cybex-brand car seats.
Best newborn-ready: Ergobaby Metro+ Compact City Stroller
- Approximate price: $299
- Weight: 16.9 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 21.3” long by 17.3” wide by 9.8” high
- Open dimensions: 34.3” long by 17.3” wide by 37.8” high
- Suspension: Front-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: Newborn to 50 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 5 pounds
At a mid-range cost, Ergobaby’s Metro+ is ready to stroll with your newborn, without the purchase of additional accessories. This compact stroller has a near-flat reclining mechanism with an adjustable leg rest for baby and an adjustable handlebar for parents. It comes in seven attractive color options and has a one-handed, two-step folding mechanism.
The Ergobaby travel stroller is compatible with common car seat brands. A full mesh panel in the back of the seat provides breathability, and a large sun canopy protects from ultraviolet rays. A carry bag is currently included with purchase.
Most compact fold: Munchkin Sparrow
- Approximate price: $220
- Weight: 12.8 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 15” long by 14” wide by 6.3” high
- Open dimensions: 28” long by 18.5” wide by 39” high
- Suspension: None
- Stroller seat age and weight range: Babies who can sit unassisted, up to 55 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 4.4 pounds
In terms of volume, Munchkin’s Sparrow has the smallest fold on our list of winning air travel strollers. Although its under-seat storage capacity is low and it lacks the ability to recline, it sports a cozy mesh headrest and a sun visor to keep children comfortable on walks. It requires multiple steps and two hands to fold, but it fits into an included zippered carrying case when collapsed.
Best for siblings: Phil & Teds Go Petite Inline
- Approximate price: $210
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 21” long by 17” wide by 9” high
- Open dimensions: 32.3” long by 17.3” wide by 40.6” high
- Suspension: All-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: Newborn to 33 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
The Go Petite Inline stroller has a convenient one-handed folding mechanism and a large, UPF 50+ sun hood with a peekaboo window. Parents can use the reclining sling-style seat to hold new babies from day one or purchase a separately available newborn cocoon accessory. The stroller is compatible with several car seats with Phil & Teds’ belt attachment system.
Although its 33-pound weight limit can be limiting with toddlers, parents with two babies close in age can attach two Go Petite Inline’s together to push both children at once.
Lightest weight: GB Pockit Air
- Approximate price: $199
- Weight: 10.4 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 19.6” long by 14” wide by 7.3” high
- Open dimensions: 28” long by 17.5” wide by 39.8” high
- Suspension: None
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 6 months to 55 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
The Pockit Air is a favorite for jet-setting parents, thanks to its 10.4-pound weight — the lightest on our list. Major downsides include no reclining ability or suspension and a three-point harness instead of the more common five-point system. The Pockit Air has a small sun visor to block harsh rays, and parents can purchase extra seat-back padding to provide added warmth on cooler days. Read more about the GB lineup here.
Most budget-friendly: Delta Children the Clutch
- Approximate price: $130
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 19.7” long by 15” wide by 5.9” high
- Open dimensions: 29.5” long by 18.5” wide by 39.8” high
- Suspension: Front-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: About 6 months to 50 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 3 pounds
Delta Children advertises its compact Clutch stroller as being smaller than a grocery bag (and it is in most cases!). The stroller includes a built-in hand strap for portability, although it isn’t long enough to carry over the shoulder. The Clutch has a five-point safety harness with reflective shoulder pads and a sun visor. Although it doesn’t have significant under-seat storage and its hammock-style seat may be lacking in structured support, Delta Children’s low price can’t be beat.
Within an inch: Other compact strollers to consider
If you’re in search of a high-quality travel stroller, these additional options have great reviews and hard-to-beat features that make them worth a look. Inglesina’s Quid and GB’s Qbit+ All City are both within an inch of the IATA’s max carry-on dimensions, while the Doona travel system can be carried on the plane for infants to sit in during flight.
Inglesina Quid
- Approximate price: $300
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 22.8” long by 18.3” wide by 6.8” high
- Open dimensions: 30” long by 18.3” wide by 40.6” high
- Suspension: Front-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 3 months to 50 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 6.6 pounds
The Quid boasts convenience features like a one-handed fold, a reclining seat with leg support, a large sun canopy, and a built-in carry handle.
GB Qbit+ All City
- Approximate price: $380
- Weight: 17.2 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 22.8” long by 16.9” wide by 10.6” high
- Open dimensions: 33” long by 17” wide by 41.7” high
- Suspension: All-wheel
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 6 months to 55 pounds
- Under-seat storage capacity: 11 pounds
GB’s Qbit+ reclines completely flat for naps. It boasts an ample sun hood, an adjustable footrest, a one-handed folding mechanism, and included rain protection and car seat adapters.
We brought it on a recent trip to the East coast of the US and onward to Portugal and were able to bring it onboard the larger planes, but not the two-seat across smaller ones. Still, we loved the one-handed fold and ample sun canopy. Read my full review here.
Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller
- Approximate price: $550
- Weight: 17.2 pounds
- Folded dimensions: 26” long by 17.4” wide by 22.4” high
- Open dimensions: 32.3” long by 17.4” wide by 39” high
- Suspension: None
- Stroller seat age and weight range: 4 to 35 pounds (infants only)
- Under-seat storage capacity: None
The Doona is an innovative infant car seat with stroller wheels that unfold from underneath. Parents who purchase a separate airplane seat for their infant can roll the Doona right onto the plant for their son or daughter to sit in during the flight. It comes with a car seat base, a vehicle seat protector, ergonomic newborn inserts, and a water-resistant canopy.
The Final Verdict: Finding the Best Carry-On Stroller
If you’re looking for a versatile stroller to carry your tot through the airport, slide into the overhead bin on the plane, and use for family walks when you reach your destination, we hope our list helped simplify your search. While the Joolz AER (read our full Joolz Aer review for more) is our all-around favorite, each stroller offers unique advantages for your family adventures in a wide range of prices.
If you need a travel stroller but aren’t worried about carrying it on the plane, or if you’re looking for another way to transport your baby during travel, read our complete guides of the 20 best compact strollers and baby carriers for travel.
*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves. Your trust always comes first!
