Best travel pushchair & stroller for flights
Flying with a baby? A travel stroller (pushchair) that folds small and light makes airports far easier. Here are the compact strollers we list, with weights and folded sizes in cm/kg and inches/lbs from the makers' official pages.
Quick picks
- Lightest: Joie pact lite (5.35 kg / 11.8 lbs, vs 6 kg and 7.3 kg)
- Best from birth: Joie pact lite (Joie states birth to 15 kg (33 lbs); it's the only one here with a verified from-birth claim without an extra accessory)
No budget pick: we haven't verified a UK price for every pushchair here.
New study: Travel Pushchair vs Airline Cabin Compatibility Study 2026: 14 pushchairs against 38 airlines' cabin rules, with a CSV download.
Compare at a glance
| Product | Weight | Folded size | Suitable for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | 7.3 kg (16.1 lbs) | 44.8 × 24.5 × 55.5 cm (17.6 × 9.6 × 21.8 in, IATA cabin-compatible) | 6 months to 22 kg / 50 lbs (from birth with baby nest) | £435 RRP / $479 MSRP | Check price at Bugaboo |
| Joolz Aer+ | 6 kg (13.2 lbs) | 53.5 × 45 × 21.5 cm (21.1 × 17.7 × 8.5 in) | Birth (flat position) to 4 years, up to 22 kg (50 lbs) | £419 RRP / $449 MSRP | Check price at Joolz |
| Stokke YOYO3 (Babyzen YOYO) | 6.2 kg (13.6 lbs) | 52 × 44 × 18 cm (20.5 × 17.3 × 7.1 in, IATA cabin-size) | 6 months to 22 kg / 48.5 lbs (from birth with 0+ Newborn Pack) | £399 RRP / $449 MSRP | Check price at Stokke |
| UPPAbaby Minu V2 | 7.7 kg (16.9 lbs) | 58.4 × 45.2 × 29.2 cm (23 × 17.8 × 11.5 in) | 3 months to 22.7 kg / 50 lbs (from birth with bassinet or Mesa car seat) | £399 RRP / $399 MSRP | Check price at UPPAbaby |
| Joie pact lite | 5.35 kg (11.8 lbs) | 46.8 × 26 × 54 cm (18.4 × 10.2 × 21.3 in) | Birth to 15 kg (33 lbs) | Around £160 / $199 (varies by retailer) | Check price at Joie |
Blank cells: not yet verified from the maker's official page.
Our picks
Pushchair
Bugaboo Butterfly 2
- 60% recycled aluminium
- B Corp brand
Folds to 44.8 × 24.5 × 55.5 cm (17.6 × 9.6 × 21.8 in), which Bugaboo lists as IATA cabin-compatible, at 7.3 kg (16.1 lbs). Passes Disney's 31 × 52 in gate.
Check price at BugabooPushchair
Joolz Aer+
- 100% recycled fabrics
- 10-year transferable warranty
6 kg (13.2 lbs) with a carry strap and a one-hand fold; folded size 53.5 × 45 × 21.5 cm (21.1 × 17.7 × 8.5 in). Under American Airlines' 20 lb carry-on stroller limit & Disney OK.
Check price at JoolzPushchair / Travel stroller
Stokke YOYO3 (Babyzen YOYO)
- Modular replaceable parts
- Washable fabrics
6.2 kg (13.6 lbs) with an ultra-slim 52 × 44 × 18 cm (20.5 × 17.3 × 7.1 in) fold built for overhead bins on Delta, United, American, Southwest, BA & easyJet.
Check price at StokkePushchair / Travel stroller
UPPAbaby Minu V2
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
- REACH certified leather
7.7 kg (16.9 lbs) with a 20 lb basket, GREENGUARD Gold certification, one-hand fold, and under American Airlines' 20 lb carry-on stroller limit.
Check price at UPPAbabyPushchair
Joie pact lite
The lightest here at 5.35 kg (11.8 lbs), folding to 46.8 × 26 × 54 cm (18.4 × 10.2 × 21.3 in), suitable from birth to 15 kg (33 lbs).
Check price at Joie
Pros, cons and who each suits
From the makers' official pages (and, where noted, published test results and customer reviews), checked 2026-10-30. "Fits on paper" compares folded size with cabin limits we've verified across UK and US airlines.
Bugaboo Butterfly 2
Pros
- One-second fold (Bugaboo)
- Lay-flat recline for naps
- Extra-large basket plus back pocket
- Bugaboo says it's IATA-compatible for carry-on
- Fits on paper: easyJet, British Airways, Jet2
Cons
- Needs the separate Bugaboo baby nest to use from birth
- Among the pricier travel pushchairs (£435 RRP)
- Too big on paper for: Ryanair, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Frequent flyers on airlines with 56 × 45 × 25 cm (or 24 × 16 × 10 in) cabin limits.
Joolz Aer+
Pros
- One-hand, one-second fold (Joolz)
- Shoulder strap included for carrying
- From birth (flat position) to 4 years, seat up to 22 kg
- 10-year transferable warranty
- Red Dot Award 2022 for design
- Fits on paper: easyJet, British Airways, Jet2
Cons
- £419: more than budget compacts such as the Joie pact lite
- Check the folded size against your airline's limit before flying
- Too big on paper for: Ryanair, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
Stokke YOYO3 (Babyzen YOYO)
Pros
- Ultra-thin 18 cm (7.1 in) folded depth fits overhead bins on most US, UK & EU airlines
- Weighs just 6.2 kg (13.6 lbs) with padded shoulder carry strap
- Under American Airlines' 20 lb carry-on stroller limit and passes Disney 31 × 52 in gauge
- Machine-washable fabrics and modular 0+ newborn pack or bassinet options
- Fits on paper: easyJet, British Airways, Jet2
Cons
- Two-step fold takes slightly more practice than one-button folds like Joolz Aer+
- Newborn pack or bassinet sold separately for babies under 6 months
- Too big on paper for: Ryanair, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Frequent flyers on airlines with 56 × 45 × 25 cm (or 24 × 16 × 10 in) cabin limits.
UPPAbaby Minu V2
Pros
- GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions
- Under 20 lbs (16.9 lbs / 7.7 kg): within American Airlines' carry-on stroller weight limit
- 20 lb (9 kg) under-seat basket — huge for Disney parks and day trips
- One-handed, one-step standing fold and UPPAbaby TravelSafe programme option
Cons
- Folded depth (29.2 cm / 11.5 in) is made for free gate-checking rather than narrow overhead bins
- Slightly heavier than ultra-compacts like the Joolz Aer+ or YOYO3
- Too big on paper for: easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
Joie pact lite
Pros
- Lightest pushchair we list (5.35 kg)
- Lie-flat recline, from birth to 15 kg
- UPF 50+ water-repellent canopy and all-wheel suspension
- Carry strap and travel bag included
Cons
- No UK RRP on Joie's site when we checked; compare retailer prices
- Forward-facing seat only
- Too big on paper for: easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Parents who carry it a lot: stairs, airports, public transport.
FAQ
Can I take a pushchair or stroller on a plane for free?
Most major UK and US airlines carry a stroller or pushchair free for infants, often to the gate. Check each airline's rules in our airline baby-gear table, which links to official sources.
What size stroller fits in an overhead bin?
It depends on the airline's cabin bag limit. Bugaboo describes the Butterfly 2's 44.8 × 24.5 × 55.5 cm (17.6 × 9.6 × 21.8 in) fold as IATA cabin-compatible; always check your airline's own size limit.
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