Airlines Breaking Strollers: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Your $800 stroller just came off the baggage carousel in pieces. Sound familiar? Here's how to protect your gear, understand your rights, and get compensated when airlines damage your stroller.

The Ugly Truth

Airlines damage or lose approximately 2 million bags per year in the US alone. Strollers, with their wheels, frames, and folding mechanisms, are particularly vulnerable. Parents report broken wheels, bent frames, torn fabric, and completely destroyed strollers with alarming frequency.

Why Airlines Keep Breaking Strollers

Understanding why this happens helps you prevent it:

The Brutal Reality of Baggage Handling

Conveyor belt drops:Bags fall 3-6 feet onto hard surfaces multiple times

Stacking:Heavy luggage gets thrown on top of strollers

Weather exposure:Rain, extreme heat, and cold damage materials

Time pressure:Handlers have 25-45 minutes to unload/load 150+ bags

No special handling:Despite "fragile" tags, strollers get the same treatment as duffel bags

Stroller Design Vulnerabilities

Wheels

Most common damage point - wheels snap off or lock mechanisms break

Folding joints

Stress points that crack under impact

Canopy frames

Thin metal bends easily

Plastic components

Clips, buckles, and trays crack in cold cargo holds

Real Parent Stories:

"Our UPPAbaby Vista came back with a wheel completely sheared off. Delta offered us $50."

— Sarah M.

"Gate checked our Bugaboo. Frame was bent so badly it wouldn't fold anymore."

— Mike T.

"American Airlines lost our stroller entirely. Took 3 weeks and 12 phone calls to get reimbursed."

— Jessica L.

Airplane at gate with luggage being loaded

Gate Check vs. Cargo Hold: Which Is Safer?

Comparison: Gate Check vs. Checked Baggage

Factor	Gate Check	Cargo Hold
Handling	2-3 touch points	5-8 touch points
Protection	Usually loaded last, less stacking	Mixed with all luggage
Weather exposure	Brief (during loading)	Longer (conveyor belts, tarmac)
Loss risk	Lower (tagged to your flight)	Higher (can be misrouted)
Damage rate	Lower	Higher

Verdict: Gate check is generally safer, but neither guarantees your stroller arrives intact.

Travel-Friendly Strollers

These compact strollers are designed for easy travel:

How to Protect Your Stroller When Flying

Option 1

Use a Travel Bag (Best Protection)

A padded stroller travel bag is the single best investment for protecting your gear:

Padded bags ($40-$80):Absorb impact, protect from scratches

Hard cases ($100-$200):Maximum protection for expensive strollers

Even a garbage bag:Helps protect fabric from grease and weather

Pro tip: Write your name and phone number INSIDE the bag in permanent marker. If the tag falls off, handlers can still identify it.

Option 2

Gate Check Smart

Ask for a gate check tag:at the check-in counter or gate

Collapse fully:locked open strollers get damaged more

Remove accessories:cup holders, phone mounts, and toys WILL disappear

Take photos:of your stroller before handing it over (for claims)

Watch it go down:politely ask to see it placed on the belt

Option 3

Ship It Ahead

For expensive strollers ($500+), consider shipping via UPS/FedEx:

Full insurance coverage available

Better handling (not thrown)

Costs $50-$150 depending on distance

Peace of mind for your $1,200 Bugaboo

Option 4

Rent at Your Destination

Services like BabyQuip rent strollers at destinations:

$10-$30/day for quality strollers

Delivered to your hotel or Airbnb

No airport hassle at all

Great option for short trips

Best Travel Strollers That Survive Airlines

If you fly frequently, consider a stroller designed for travel abuse:

GB Pockit+

Folds to backpack size, fits in overhead bin. Less to damage because it's so small.

$180-$250

Babyzen YOYO2

Cabin-approved, folds with one hand. Durable construction survives gate checks well.

$500-$550

UPPAbaby MINU V2

Compact fold, sturdy frame. Good balance of durability and portability.

$400

Summer Infant 3Dlite

Budget-friendly. If it breaks, replacement cost is manageable.

$70-$100

Zoe XL1

Lightweight, durable aluminum frame. Great value for frequent flyers.

$150

Airline Stroller Policies by Carrier

Airline	Gate Check	Free Checked	Liability Limit
American	Yes, free	Yes (doesn't count as bag)	$3,800 domestic
Delta	Yes, free	Yes (doesn't count as bag)	$3,800 domestic
United	Yes, free	Yes (doesn't count as bag)	$3,800 domestic
Southwest	Yes, free	Yes (2 per child)	$3,800 domestic
JetBlue	Yes, free	Yes (doesn't count as bag)	$3,800 domestic
Spirit/Frontier	Yes, free	Yes, free	$3,800 domestic

Important: All US airlines must allow one stroller AND one car seat per child for free, even on basic economy tickets. This is federal regulation.

Your Stroller Was Damaged: Now What?

Document Everything Immediately

Do NOT leave the airport without filing a report

Take photos of all damage from multiple angles

Get photos of baggage claim tags still attached

Note date, time, flight number, and any witnesses

File a Report at Baggage Services

Go to the airline's baggage service counter (in baggage claim area)

File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR)

Get a copy of the report with reference number

Ask what the next steps are and get it in writing

Gather Supporting Documents

Original receipt or proof of purchase

Photos of stroller BEFORE the flight (check your phone)

Current replacement cost (screenshot from retailer)

Repair estimate if applicable

File a Formal Claim

Most airlines require claims within 24 hours for domestic flights

International flights: 7 days under Montreal Convention

Submit online or via certified mail (keep copies)

Include all documentation and specific dollar amount requested

Sample Claim Letter Language:

"On [date], I traveled on [airline] flight [number] from [origin] to [destination]. Upon arrival, my [stroller brand/model] was returned with [specific damage]. This stroller was purchased on [date] for [$amount] and is currently valued at [$current value]. I am requesting reimbursement of [$amount] for the damage/replacement. Please find attached: photos of damage, original receipt, and current replacement cost documentation."

Escalate If Needed

If the airline denies or lowballs your claim:

Call, don't email:Phone representatives often have more authority

Ask for a supervisor:First-level agents have strict limits

File DOT complaint:Department of Transportation tracks airline complaints at airconsumer.dot.gov

Social media:Twitter/X complaints to @[airline] often get fast responses

Credit card dispute:If you paid for checked bag fees, dispute the charge

Small claims court:For expensive strollers, this is a viable option (airlines often settle)

What Compensation Can You Actually Get?

Realistic Compensation Expectations

Full replacement (new stroller):Rare, but possible with good documentation and persistence

Depreciated value:Most common - they'll calculate "current value" based on age

Repair costs:If repairable, they may cover parts and labor

Travel vouchers:Airlines often offer vouchers instead of cash (push back for cash)

Nothing:If you don't file properly or miss deadlines

Average reported compensation: $100-$400 for damaged strollers worth $300-$800

Prevention Checklist: Before Your Next Flight

Pre-Flight Stroller Protection Checklist

1Take photos of stroller from all angles before leaving home

2Remove all detachable accessories (cup holders, toys, organizers)

3Collapse fully and secure all folding mechanisms

4Use a travel bag or at minimum a large plastic bag

5Write name/phone inside the bag (not just on tag)

6Gate check whenever possible (ask at check-in)

7Keep original receipt accessible (phone photo works)

8Know airline's claim deadline before you fly

The Bottom Line

Airlines break strollers regularly, and while they're required to compensate you, getting fair payment requires documentation and persistence. Your best strategies:

Prevent damage

Use a travel bag and gate checking

Document everything

Before, during, and after your flight

Know your rights

And claim deadlines

Consider travel stroller

If you fly often

Don't give up

Escalate until you get fair treatment

Flying with kids is hard enough. Don't let stroller damage ruin your trip - prepare ahead and know what to do if the worst happens.

Related Resources

Family Vacation Budget Calculator First Year Baby Costs Calculator Car Seat Safety Guide Real Cost of Raising a Child in 2026

Last Updated: 2026

Sources: Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Reports, Montreal Convention, Airline Contract of Carriage documents, Consumer Reports travel testing.