Family Travel: How much kids stuff can you check in or carry on?

When watching an episode of “Airways” the other night, a family got really cranky with the check-in employee of Tiger Airways when they were told they couldn’t bring their pram on to the flight without paying an extra baggage allowance,. despite the passenger allegedly being told previously she could.

This got me to thinking – and since this topic is suddenly very important to me and my little family too, I wanted to set out what you can and can’t carry on in the way of kids extra stuff on Australian domestic airlines.

Jetstar

This from the Jetstar website:

For parents on international flights you can take a collapsible pusher on board if it is no bigger than 100x25x23cm. This will, however, form part of your cabin baggage allowance.

These allowances apply to all passengers with an allocated seat. So kids can bring their own bags or backpacks with the things they’ll need to keep them entertained. It makes them feel more independent and takes the pressure of their parents’ hand luggage too.

The comfort of your infants is important to us. We are happy for you to bring essential items on-board; things that you will need for the duration of each flight, like bottles, sipping cups, nappies, baby-food, milk or formula and a change of clothes. So long as they comply with current cabin baggage regulations and weight limits.

All the extra gear can make travelling with kids feel more like you’re moving house than going on a holiday. Strollers, car seats, toys, bottles, nappies, kitchen sink. Whether it’s for the weekend or a month, there are things you just need. At Jetstar we’re happy for families to take these essential items, especially things that are going to make the holiday more comfortable and safer. Here’s a list of the bulkier things families can check on Jetstar flights without attracting excess baggage charges:

• Strollers or pushers
• Porta-cots and bedding
• Infant car seats
• Portable high-chairs

Anyone who has paid for a seat is entitled to the full baggage allocation: 20kg of check-in and 10kg hand luggage. Another great reason for purchasing a ticket for infants. (subtle Jetstar…)

We understand how indispensable compact strollers or pushers can be on holiday. Most parents with small children wouldn’t dream of going away without one. Nor should they have to. At Jetstar we’re happy for you to bring one along in addition to your regular baggage allowance.

On domestic and Tasman flights you must check pushers or strollers in with your other luggage. Larger pushers can travel as ‘special luggage’. Make sure it clips shut so it’s easier to handle.

For your convenience parents can bring a fully collapsible pusher on-board our A330s (International long haul flights) so long as it is no bigger than 100x25x23cm.

Virgin Blue

From the Virgin Blue website:

Specific Infant Equipment is carried free of charge on Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue domestic flights. All other infant baggage will be included as part of the parent or guardian’s purchased/free baggage allowance.

Items of infant equipment include but are not restricted to:

• Pram/stroller
• Portable cot
• Car seat
• Baby capsule

If you are travelling with an infant you may carry-on an extra bag containing articles for use in the cabin such as nappies or baby food.

Tiger Airways

Tiger are more brief on their website:

Infant equipment, including but not limited to prams, buggies and car seats can be carried in the hold of the aircraft. Tiger Airways is prepared to carry such items on a ‘Limited Release’ (i.e. entirely ‘at your own risk’ for damage or delay) basis for free. You may therefore wish to ensure that you have suitable private insurance cover in force for such items.

OzJet

Ozjet’s website was not clear on this so I called their Customer Contact Centre and was told that prams/strollers had to be checked in and the weight of them was included in the 20kg baggage allowance (not added to). They said passengers could take an extra carry-on bag with nappies and bottles etc at no extra charge.

Rex Regional Express

Again, Rex’s website was not all that helpful with info on this so I called their Media Centre and was told by a very helpful employee that the infant received an extra 10kg worth of allowance to include a pram, stroller or portacot. Therefore, she said, if two adults are travelling with one infant they have 20kg each allowance for the adults plus 10kg allowance for the infant making a total of 50kg of luggage for the family.

Skywest

Skywest’s policy on this was exactly the same as Rex’s when I called them. The infant gets a further 10kg allowance to make up for strollers etc.

QANTAS

The QANTAS website was a lot more helpful than the others and had lots of info on this topic. Here is the basic rundown:

Adults accompanying children or infants are entitled to check-in one collapsible stroller or a carry basket or bassinet (to be stowed in the aircraft hold) and infant food and nappies for use inflight. This is in addition to the normal free checked baggage allowance for adults.

So there you go. I hope this makes it all a bit clearer for those of us who travel with infants and all of the paraphenalia that goes with them!

Please let me know in the comments below if you are interested in the same kind of article with the international carriers.

Tagged as: airfares, family travel, jetstar, ozjet, qantas, regional express, rex, skywest, tiger airways, virgin blue