As a parent, one of the most annoying things you should have to worry about is finding out that your airline forbids strollers on their flights.
Alaska Airlines is one of the well-recognized airlines in America and travel is made more comfortable for parents and kids.
There are different rules for bringing strollers on board an Alaska airplane. Different airlines have different regulations for passengers traveling with children, but can you bring a baby stroller on an Alaska airplane?
Alaska Airlines allows you to bring a stroller on board, but they do not allow it in the overhead bin or under the seat. This means that if you are traveling with a baby, you will need to gate-check your stroller.
If you want to avoid doing this, we recommend you buy a ticket for your child and then have them sit on your lap during the flight.
However, if they are old enough to sit in their own seat, it may be better to purchase an extra seat for them and use it to store their stroller.
It is important to note that Alaska Airlines does not charge extra for this service; however, check with your airline before purchasing tickets or booking online to ensure that they can accommodate this request.
How Much Is It to Check a Stroller in Alaska?
To check a stroller on Alaska Airlines flights, you don’t have to pay any additional fees.
While it’s not standard practice for airlines to allow you to check a stroller, Alaska Airlines is one of the few that do.
This perk is useful for families with small children, and luckily, there are no additional fees associated with checking a stroller on Alaska flights.
To make sure your stroller makes it from Point A to Point B in one piece, be sure to take these precautions:
- Get your stroller gate checked for free.
- Repackage your stroller so that the frame protected the wheels.
If you end up checking a regular stroller, don’t forget to remove the child’s car seat or clip it into another seat so that it will be properly secured while in flight.
What Baby Items Are Free on Flights?
New parents are often confused about what baby items are allowed on flights, so we’ve put together a list of things you can bring along for free.
- Baby Food/Formula: You can bring an amount that’s appropriate for your child’s age (for example, if they’re under 2 years old, you can bring up to three jars). Remember to pack it in a clear plastic bag, and place the bag in a bin that’s within the carry-on luggage.
- Baby Wipes: You can bring as many as you’d like in any container. Just remember to place them in a clear plastic bag.
- Baby Bottles: If your children are under 12 months old, you can bring two empty bottles for each child and as many filled ones as needed. If they’re over 12 months old, you can only bring one bottle—but filled or empty.
- Baby Pacifiers: These are allowed in carry-on bags at all times (and if you’re breastfeeding, you may get away with taking those along too). You can bring multiple pacifiers if you want to be extra cautious.
- Bottle warmers: Some airlines provide a bottle warmer in each restroom, so you can heat up pre-measured bottles of baby formula quickly to prevent them from going bad when they cool down.
Do Kids Need an ID to Fly Alaskan?
If you’re flying to Alaska with your kids and are wondering whether you need to bring identification for them, you’re not alone! While it is a bit unusual, there are some instances where kids do need their own identification when flying.
To begin with, children under 18 years of age are not required to show an ID when flying domestically. And even if they are traveling with a parent or guardian, airline employees will not ask for their ID.
Kids ages 18 and up will need a government-issued form of identification when flying with Alaska Airlines.
The only exception to this rule are minors under the age of 18 who are traveling on an adult’s lap without an accompanying ticket of their own.
This includes babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. While it’s not required, the airline recommends you bring something with your name and address on it to help identify your child in case there’s a problem during the flight.
Will the Airline Ruin My Stroller?
There’s no doubt that traveling with a stroller is a pain. It takes up precious space in the trunk, it can be tricky to load, and you have to be on constant alert to make sure it doesn’t get damaged or lost in transit.
Fortunately, there’s one thing you can do to help ease your worry: use a stroller travel bag. These bags are designed specifically for folding strollers, so they fit perfectly inside the cargo holds of most airlines.
With airlines always trying to cut costs, they’re not exactly known for their careful handling of luggage, so you can expect that any time you send something with them, it will get damaged in some way.
Our best advice is to call ahead and ask your airline whether they allow passengers to store their strollers as carry-on luggage.
Some airlines are more flexible than others, but we do suggest at least calling to make sure before you travel. If your airline’s website doesn’t clarify this rule, follow up with a call to customer service—the worst thing they can do is tell you no for sure and not let you bring your stroller on board.
Conclusion
Alaska Airlines’ policy on strollers is relatively easy to understand. It’s straightforward and simple, but there are still some things airline passengers should know before they travel with a stroller.
The airplane has a variety of restrictions. And, it is important to know these rules before you fly. One of the most common concerns parents bring up with us is whether strollers can be brought on board.
Even though Alaska allows strollers on board, we recommend you call Alaska Airlines and specifically inform them if you will travel with a stroller, as they are aware of some models that should not be brought on board, in case their rule has changed.
Hi, This is Emma Baster; As a mom, I spend my free time caring for my kids. I’ve read a lot on the Internet to improve my childcare skill and bring the best to my kids. Eruditemommy shares my knowledge and experience through helpful posts. I hope you enjoy them!