8 of the best cabin-approved strollers you can take on a plane as hand luggage

• Best cabin approved strollers
• What to look for when buying a travel buggy
• Carry-on hand luggage size limits by airline
• Do all airlines allow buggies as hand luggage — a breakdown of each major airline

Best travel strollers for flying at a glance

• Best cabin-approved stroller for sleek design: Cybex Libelle, £289.95 £259.95 at Cybex (Save £30 or 10%)
• Best pull-along cabin-approved stroller: Silver Cross Jet 5, £345 £294.99 at Amazon (Save £50.01 or 14%)
• Best cabin-approved stroller for luxury touches and colour choices: Cybex Orfeo, £239.96
• Best cabin-approved stroller for newborns: Stokke YOYO3, £399
• Best cabin-approved stroller for sustainability: Joolz Aer2, £439.99
• Best cabin-approved stroller for storage: Bugaboo Butterfly, £335 at Boots
• Best cabin-approved stroller to grow with your child: UPPAbaby MINU V3, £399.95 at Natural Baby Shower
• Best value cabin-approved stroller: Kinderkraft PILOT 2, from £179

You can jump straight down to see our list of the best travel prams for planes below, or if you want to know more about what to look for when buying a travel buggy and more information about the major airlines and their policies, you'll find everything you need at the bottom of our list.

Best cabin approved strollers for 2025

1. Cybex Libelle, £289.95

Best cabin-approved stroller for sleek design

Age suitability: From 6 months to 22kg | One-handed fold: No | Folded dimensions: H 48cm x W 32cm x H 20cm | Weight: 5.9kg | Car seat compatible: Yes | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.1 stars

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Fits into a bag
• Stylish
• Fast and intuitive fold

Cons:

• Only a shallow recline
• No foot rest
• Short canopy

This buggy, which is very similar to the GB Pockit+ range, looks chic and has a clever, compact fold that helped it win a Red Dot product design award for its compact construction.

MFM reviewer Sarah said it was "perfectly suited to travel and staycations, but could improve on some design features, such as basket size and carry strap." It also has a limited recline for naps, and no useful additions like a foot rest or peephole in the hood. She said the buggy is competitively priced and stylish with a "top class design and feel." Sarah reported, however, that the wheels "don’t cope too well going up hills or very rough terrain, and are very much designed for a city run-around rather than an off-road, nature trip."

"It is not a one-handed fold, as you need to fold it in on itself with both hands," said Sarah, "but it does fold very quickly and rather dynamically." This results in a compact box measuring only 48 x 32cm x 20cm. The folded buggy fits within the cabin bag size requirements for 6 of the 8 airlines in our survey. It is sadly not included on Virgin Atlantic’s list of accepted buggies.

Read the full MadeForMums Cybex Libelle pushchair review

Available from: Cybex, Samuel Johnston, Natural Baby Shower

2. Silver Cross Jet 5, £345

Best pull-along cabin-approved stroller

Age suitability: From birth to 22kg | One-handed fold: No | Folded dimensions: H 60cm x W 37cm x L 25cm | Weight: 7.5kg | Car seat compatible: Yes | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.5 stars

Pros:

• Can be wheeled when folded
• Magnetic fastening
• Lightweight and easy to push

Cons:

• Two handed fold
• Forward facing only
• Basket is difficult to access

The latest in the Silver Cross Jet range, the Jet 5 takes an already great pushchair and makes it even better.

As MadeForMums reviewer Harriet noted, "A stylish, compact, pushchair perfect for travel and/or urban life but faces limitations on rough terrain, tricky basket access and a sunroof that could benefit with extra coverage."

Like the previous model, the Jet 5 can be pulled along behind you like a suitcase making it great for a quick dash through the airport or train station. In addition to making it easy to transport, the ultra-compact nature of the fold continues the Jet 3's tradition of being easy to store and stow at home and in the boot of your car when not in use.

"The lightweight design and comfortable dual-handle makes it very easy to handle whilst holding the baby when using both the folded-up and pull-along design," added Harriet.

Harriet also noted that her baby fell asleep in the Jet 5 every single time she used it thanks to the soft padding and an almost flat recline position. The harness also came in for some praise with the magnetic design making it quick and easy to fasten and adjust.

Where the Jet 5 falls down is, similarly to the Jet 3, in the folding process and storage.

While Harriet noted the ride was smooth on everyday terrains like pavements, gravel and short and dry grass, the Jet 5 does struggle on rougher terrain like woodland floor, wet or long grass and uneven cobblestones."

Overall, the Jet 5 is a fantastic premium option from a reliable and storied brand that'll provide you with a solid, lightweight stroller for your next holiday.

"While it has a few minor drawbacks - limited basket access, a sun hood that could be longer, and some struggles on rough terrain— for me, its convenience, quality, and practicality outweigh these issues," concluded Harriet.

Read the full MadeForMums Silver Cross Jet 5 stroller review

Available from: Amazon, Kiddies Kingdom and Silver Cross

3. Cybex Orfeo, from £319.95

Best cabin-approved stroller for luxury touches and colour choices

Age suitability: From birth to 22kg | One-handed fold: Yes | Folded dimensions: H 52.5cm x W 47.5cm x L 15.5cm | Weight: 6.3kg | Car seat compatible: Yes | Awards: Bronze — Compact-fold pushchair over £300, MadeForMums Awards 2024 | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.3 stars

Pros:

• Ergonomic
• Adjustable leg rest
• Carry strap included
• Front wheel suspension
• Stylish

Cons:

• Small basket
• Fiddly to unfold

For families seeking a luxurious and stylish travel buggy, the Cybex Orfeo ticks these boxes in abundance. Its sleek design is packed with travel-ready features that make it comfy for children and easy to use for parents. These include a one-pull harness, a large UPF 50+ sun canopy, a 5kg basket and suspension in the front wheels to help navigate bumpier surfaces. You can also attach a Cybex baby car seat to the Orfeo with the car seat adaptors (available separately for £44.95). The stroller is suitable from birth thanks to its ergonomic lie-flat recline (but it is forward-facing only, like most of the buggies on this list).

MFM reviewer Allie, who tested the Orfeo with her 5-month-old son (pictured above) was impressed by how comfortable the buggy was for her baby, "the straps held him in securely and the seat fully reclines, making naps on the go much easier. There’s an integrated leg rest too, which should come in handy as he grows. There isn’t any padding on the sides or the backrest, but my son seemed comfortable and nodded off fairly easily."

There's an integrated carry strap for easy transportation once it's folded, and it should be accepted in the cabin by Emirates, EasyJet and British Airways. Reviewer Allie said that "folding the buggy is a dream and takes a matter of seconds," but did flag that she found it tricky to unfold: "it took me a really long time to get the knack for clipping the pushchair into place and I found it kept collapsing back into its folded structure."

There are also some striking colour options to choose from too, from a subtle and stylish Almond Beige (pictured above) to a bright and bold Candy Pink.

Read the full MadeForMums Cybex Orfeo stroller review

Available from: Natural Baby Shower, Boots, Pushchair Expert, Kiddies Kingdom

4. Stokke YOYO3, £399

Best cabin-approved stroller for newborns

Age suitability: From birth to 48 months | One-handed fold: Yes | Folded dimensions: H 44cm x W 18cm x L 52cm | Weight: 6.1kg | Car seat compatible: Yes | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.4 stars

Pros:

• Stylish
• Lightweight
• Parent facing
• Smooth and easy to push
• Adaptable for hot or cold weather

Cons:

• Not the easiest to fold
• A tight fit for longer or larger babies

The Yoyo3 pluses everything good about the original travel buggy making it the perfect companion for city living or family holidays.

It is ultra-light and compact, cabin-approved and carry-on friendly, and equipped with a quick, one-handed fold feature, though that fold is a bit on the fiddly side.

With the kind of premium fabrics we've come to expect from the Yoyo range alongside a stylish look and feel, the Yoyo3 continues to be an excellent option for parents looking for form and function.

"The fabrics wiped down easily when they got splattered with spit-up, and still look new even after a few weeks of regular use with a newborn," noted MFM reviewer Daisy. "They also held up well when we got caught out in the rain – the newborn shell is water resistant and kept our son cosy and dry."

Overall, you can't go wrong with the latest version of the Yoyo pushchair, which continues to be a fantastic travel pick for parents.

As Daisy pointed out, "the design is sleek and stylish but feels robust, and I like that it is parent-facing so I can keep an eye on my son while he’s napping. For parents who want to zip around a city with their new baby, this pushchair will empower you to get out and about."

Read the full MadeForMums BabyZen YOYO3 pushchair review

Available from: Amazon and Stokke

5. Joolz Aer2, £429.99

Best cabin-approved stroller for sustainability

Age suitability: From birth to 4 years | One-handed fold: Yes | Folded dimensions: H 23.5cm x W 44cm x L 53cm | Weight: 6.5kg | Car seat compatible: Yes

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact
• Easy to fold
• Smooth, comfortable ride
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Handlebar height cannot be adjusted
• No parent facing option
• Expensive

Of all the pushchairs on our list, the Joolz Aer2 might be our favourite. It has one of the easiest and most satisfying folds of any pushchair we've tested as well as a smooth ride that make it a great option for travel.

It is exceptionally well designed with premium fabrics and a sturdy chassis that keeps things lightweight without compromising on durability.

The Aer2 iterates on an already fantastic pushchair adding an integrated leg rest, bigger basket and larger wheels as well as improvements to the already fantastic fold. Seriously, we can't tell you enough just how fun this thing is to fold.

"Robust enough for everyday use and small enough for long-haul travel, I would recommend the Joolz Aer2 to parents looking for a lightweight, compact stroller that will take them through from baby to toddler," noted reviewer Ellen.

"This pushchair would be especially well suited to for city dwellers, frequent travellers and public transport users."

If you don't mind paying the premium price tag (and the extra money needed for the carrycot, which we'd recommend if you're planning on using it with a newborn), then there aren't many travel strollers better than the Aer2.

Available from: Very, Natural Baby Shower, Mamas&Papas

6. Bugaboo Butterfly, £335

Best cabin-approved stroller for storage

Age suitability: From 6 months to 22kg | One-handed fold: Yes | Folded dimensions: H54cm x W45cm x L23cm | Weight: 7.3kg | Car seat compatible: Yes | Awards: Gold — Compact-fold Pushchair over £300, MadeForMums Awards 2024 | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• One-handed fold
• Strong and durable
• Shoulder strap
• Large basket

Cons:

• Not the lightest
• Expensive

Bugaboo’s pushchairs have a reputation for being well designed and the Butterfly is no exception. It folds down into a slender package and boasts a range of smart features.

The Butterfly offers Bugaboo’s smallest fold, collapsing to 54 x 45 x 23cm, meaning it should be accepted into the cabin by three airlines on this list — BA, EasyJet and Emirates. It appears to follow the trend among newer travel prams to feature a well-cushioned but minimal seat and hood, so there is no excess fabric to deal with when folding up small.

Gabrielle, a member of our Top Testers Club, preordered the pushchair and was one of the first to put it to the test. She said, "Bugaboo say it is a one second fold and I think they are about right. It is easily folded & put up one handed and is incredibly lightweight so I can carry (a not small) 18 month old and pram together easily." MFM reviewer Cher, who tested the buggy with her 6-month-old daughter and 2-year-old son (pictured) also commented that "I can honestly say that the Butterfly is one of the easiest strollers to fold."

Bugaboo says the basket will hold 8kg of shopping — twice the amount of Bugaboo's popular Bee pushchair. Gabrielle confirmed, "the basket is actually bigger than our Bee 5!"

Cher was pleasantly surprised with "how sturdy it is compared with other strollers" and loves how the Butterfly handled "various types of tough terrain really well."

Read the full MadeForMums Bugaboo Butterfly pushchair review

Available from: Boots, Bugaboo, Kiddies Kingdom and Amazon

7. UPPAbaby MINU V3, £399.95

Best cabin-approved stroller to grow with your child

Age suitability: From newborn to 22kg | One-handed fold: Yes | Folded dimensions: H54.6cm x W45.7cm x L25.4cm | Weight: 7.6kg | Car seat compatible: Yes | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.7 stars

Pros:

• Quick and simple to unfold and fold
• Easy buckle adjustment
• Smooth recline seat
• Generous basket
• Sturdy frame

Cons:

• Doesn’t have great manoeuvrability in tight spaces
• Tricky to carry by hand

The latest version of UPPAbaby's lightweight stroller, the Minu V3 is truly built for travellers. From the quick, one-handed IATA-compatible compact fold and included carry strap, to extra clever features such as a hidden pocket for a tracker and an extremely generously sized basket that can hold up to 11.3kg — perfect for all your holiday essentials.

It is one of the heavier inclusions on our list, but this is due to the incredibly sturdy and durable frame that MFM reviewer Steph, who tested the pushchair with her 6-month-old daughter (pictured above), loved: "unlike other city pushchairs I’ve used, where lightness often comes with a flimsy quality, the MINU V3 felt completely sturdy."

What makes this pushchair perfect for babies and toddlers alike is the extremely plush and premium seat unit. As reviewer Steph explains, "the buggy comes with a padded insert that adds a layer of softness to the seat. The seat reclines deeply to create more comfortable conditions for sleep, plus there’s an adjustable footrest that you can extend as your baby grows. There's also a 5-point, no-rethread harness which was incredibly simple to adjust – the clasp glides seamlessly across the straps."

The MINU V3 is suitable from birth thanks to the lie-flat recline, but is forward-facing only. However, you can buy car seat adaptors (£34.95) to turn the stroller into a travel system.

If you're looking for a reliable lightweight pushchair that is sturdy enough to handle everyday use but also folds up small enough to take on a plane, the MINU V3 is a fantastic option.

Read the full MadeForMums UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair review

Available from: Natural Baby Shower and John Lewis

8. Kinderkraft PILOT 2, £179

Best value cabin-approved stroller

Age suitability: From birth to 24kg | One-handed fold: No | Folded dimensions: H 52cm x W 45cm x L 21cm | Weight: 8kg | Car seat compatible: No | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.3 stars

Pros:

• Suitable from birth
• Stylish design
• One-handed fold

Cons:

• Lack of suspension
• Protective travel case can be tricky to get on

One of the more recent strollers to launch in the category, the Kinderkraft PILOT 2 is a great value travel stroller with a fantastic one-handed fold, built-in footrest and, if that's not enough, it's also suitable from birth.

"In the crowded lightweight stroller market, the Kinderkraft PILOT 2 is a great value stroller at a really competitive price, that also boasts some useful features and a sleek, stylish appearance," noted parent reviewer Sophie, who tested the PILOT 2 on a family holiday.

The tiny fold and travel bag make this a great companion for family holidays, offering great performance for the price.

"I would recommend it as a budget option for travel as it will give you a robust yet stylish experience, all for well under £200," added Sophie.

It should be noted that, like many strollers designed for travel, there is a notable lack of suspension in the PILOT 2 and it isn't as lightweight as some of the other options on this list.

Read the full MadeForMums Kinderkraft PILOT 2 pushchair review

Available from: Kinderkraft

What to look for when buying a travel buggy

• Fold type – A major feature of all travel buggies is a compact fold, but each will fold in a slightly different way. A number of models now have special gravity-assisted 'magic' folds that can be done with just a flick of the wrist. However, these buggies don't tend to fold quite as small as those with two-handed or multi-step folds.
• Comfort for child – Travel buggies may have limited padding so they can fold up small, so look at the fabric on seats and straps, and decide if you need leg rests or calf supports before you buy, as this may limit your options.
• Ease of steering/pushing – A small fold means small wheels, which can struggle on tougher terrains like sand dunes or cobblestones, but most will be fine through airports, along pavements and on grass. Look for front wheel suspension for the smoothest ride.
• Handlebar height – Many travel buggies have fixed height handlebars, which are designed to work for most heights, but may be more uncomfortable for taller or shorter parents. It's important to try before you buy if you're tall or petite.
• Durability – Due to their lightweight nature, these buggies won't feel as solid as a traditional pram or travel system as the frame is designed to easy to pick up and fold. The more budget lightweight buggies might not be able to handle as many knocks as heavier, bulkier models or more premium designs.
• Age suitability – Many lightweight strollers are designed for use from 6 months, and even those that offer a lie-flat seat that's suitable from birth may be world-facing only. If you're looking for a buggy to use from birth, look for one that offers the ability to convert the seat or add a carrycot. On the other end of the scale, some lack the leg rest that older children may need, or have a 15kg weight limit which could significantly reduce their longevity.
• Hood coverage – Some travel buggies have shorter, non-extendable hoods with minimal fabric. They're designed not to add weight or get in the way of the compact fold, but you may want full coverage during hot weather or at nap time. Look for deeper UPF 50+ hoods, or consider buying a buggy cover or parasol for extra protection.
• Storage – Travel buggies often only have room for small baskets, so you won't be able to keep as much in one of these as in a larger pushchair. Look out for extra zip pockets and detachable bags for more space.
• Weight – When choosing a portable buggy it is important that it is light to carry, and it should weigh less than 10kg for cabin use. We've listed the weights of all the buggies on our list.

Carry-on hand luggage size limits by airline

The International Air Transport Association’s guide to carry-on size requirements says that carry-on baggage should have a maximum length of 56 cm, a width of 45 cm and a depth of 25 cm, so a buggy must fold to within these limits to be "cabin approved". However, not all airlines follow the IATA guidelines exactly, so we spoke to them to find out the exact rules.

Do all airlines allow buggies as hand luggage?

The International Air Transport Association’s general guide to carry-on size requirements is used by hundreds of airlines around the world. It suggests that carry-on baggage should have a maximum length of 56 cm, a width of 45 cm and a depth of 25 cm. These dimensions include wheels, handles and side pockets. However, this guidance is voluntary and individual airlines still have their own policies and size restrictions. We spoke to eight major airlines to find out what their specific policies are.

Please do bear in mind that things can change at the gate and on busy flights passengers may be asked to put larger items of hand luggage into the hold, including buggies. Similarly, we've heard anecdotal evidence that some of the airlines listed below may accept slightly larger folding buggies in some circumstances.

Below, we've included a more in-depth look at the different guidelines for each airline.

Emirates

Emirates is the most easygoing of the airlines we spoke to about travel buggies, perhaps because they fly larger, modern planes. A spokesperson said they would accept any size of folding travel buggy into the cabin, as long as there was space. “Customers are permitted to carry only one fully collapsible stroller/pushchair or infant’s carrycot in the aircraft cabin free of charge, subject to space availability,” we were told. If there is no available space, the stroller will be checked in as hold luggage.

They even went as far as to say that “A stroller with a car seat can be taken on-board for stowage provided sufficient space is available on-board.”

“Emirates does not recommend a particular pushchair but it should be fully collapsible,” they added. “Some brands even offer a zipped travel bag which the stroller neatly fits into.”

Easyjet

Though policies can change, EasyJet currently has two cabin bag sizes, a smaller one that is free and a larger, paid-for, size that must weigh less than 10kg.

“As long as the buggy fits within the dimensions of our cabin bag allowances they would be permitted in the cabin,” a spokesperson for the airline told us.

When folded, a couple of the more compact buggies we tested fit the smaller size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm. Both these buggies and all the remaining pushchairs on our list fit within the larger, paid for, cabin bag size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm. Both sizes have a maximum weight of 15kg.

British Airways

British Airways’ cabin bag size is currently the same as EasyJet’s larger, paid-for cabin bag size, with a maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm. With BA – though rules can change – it is generally free to have one cabin bag this size, and it can weigh up to 23kg. A spokesperson for BA told us that travel buggies of this size will be accepted in place of your hand luggage.

The website also states however that: “As with all larger cabin bags, this is not guaranteed to travel in the cabin, but our staff will make every effort to accommodate if space is available.”

It is worth noting that BA’s website suggests that most umbrella-style buggies can wait for you at the aircraft door at both ends of your flight at “most” airports. However the compact fold of the travel buggies on this list is wider than a typical umbrella fold (BA’s size limit for this option is 117 x 38 x 38cm) so – read strictly – travel buggies with a compact fold would need to be taken into the cabin where they meet the requirements.

Jet 2

In contrast to the positive responses from the other airlines, Jet2 told us that no travel buggies of any size would be allowed into cabins on its flights, with “all infant-related luggage” needing to go into the hold.

We asked why this was but were given no further answer.

TUI

At 55 x 40 x 20cm, TUI’s hand luggage size is smaller than EasyJet and BA’s but the same size as Ryanair’s. A TUI spokesman told us that its hand luggage policy applied to both bags and travel buggies that meet the size requirements.

The TUI website states: “Customers can take 1 piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20cm on a TUI Airways flight.” We have, however, heard from members of our Top Testers Club that they have successfully taken slightly larger folding strollers such as the Silver Cross Clic onto TUI flights, so you may get lucky if you encounter crew members who're willing to be flexible.

Ryanair

Ryanair told us that if a foldable pushchair meets the size requirements of a 10kg cabin bag, at 55 x 40 x 20cm, and if – importantly – there is adequate capacity in the cabin, passengers are allowed to carry their foldable pushchair onboard free of charge.

As with any of these low-cost airlines, overhead lockers on busy flights fill up fast, so capacity may well be lacking. Still, it is worth asking.

Qantas

The Australian airline confirmed to MadeForMums that a fold up buggy that fits within its hand luggage restrictions can be carried in the cabin and stored in the overhead locker. On international flights the maximum cabin bag size is 56 x 36 x 23cm, which is slightly narrower than other airlines.

Virgin Atlantic

“We only accept a certain list of pushchairs that meet the size and weight limitations of our hand baggage policy to ensure there is enough space onboard for all our customers and their luggage,” a Virgin Atlantic spokesman said.

This list is very specific and includes only four branded buggies: the GB Pockit, Britax Holiday, Silver Cross Jet and Babyzen Yoyo.

“In cases where pushchairs do not meet carry-on restrictions,” the spokesman continued, “they are tagged and placed in the hold for the flight. For the majority of Virgin Atlantic destinations, they are brought to the aircraft door upon arrival to assist customers through the airport.”