I have to side with AA on this one as many people who have these bulky strollers do not even bother to fold them up. I applaud American for taking these steps. This is from AA.com regarding strollers:
Carry-On and Checked Item Allowances
Carry-on and checked item allowances for children vary depending on whether or not a seat is purchased for the child.
If a seat is purchased for a child, the standard
carry-on baggage and
checked baggage allowance apply.
If a seat was not purchased for an infant, that infant does not have a carry-on or checked baggage allowance. However, the following items are allowed over and above the carry-on allowance for the adult traveling with an infant:
- Approved safety seat for lap or ticketed child (may also be checked)<LI sizcache="3" sizset="228">Umbrella stroller for lap or ticketed child (see details for stroller acceptance below)
- Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child
IMPORTANT NOTE
All strollers, car seats and similar infant/child items should be labeled with a name and contact phone number.
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Infant Seat or Child Restraint Devices
If you do not purchase a seat for your infant (under two years of age):
- An approved child safety seat can be carried on board
- The device cannot be used in a seat unless there is an unoccupied seat available next to the adult traveling
- Due to many events that occur during the last several minutes before departure time, we cannot be certain that an unoccupied seat that meets the above criteria will be available until the final boarding process
- If an unoccupied, adjoining seat is not available, the gate agent will check the infant seat/child restraint device to your final destination. Please check with the gate agent for further details
When traveling internationally, infants without a seat but paying 10% of an adult fare are allowed one piece of checked baggage not to exceed 45in/115cms 50lbs/23kgs.
You may want to consider checking the infant/car seat or child restraint device at the ticket counter. However,
American is not responsible for damage to infant/child restraint devices and loss/damage of any items attached to the device, whether these items are checked at the ticket counter or the gate.
Infant/child restraint devices include, but are not limited to, strollers and car seats.
For taxi, takeoff, landing, during turbulence, or when the Fasten Seatbelt sign is on, American accepts only
FAA approved infant seats/child restraint devices that are certified for use in aircraft.
Stroller Acceptance For a Ticketed or Lap Child
Stroller TypeFeaturesUmbrella Stroller
- AA highly recommends using this type of stroller
- May be taken onboard the aircraft as long as it fits in the overhead bin
- Exempt from carry-on allowance and baggage charges
- May be checked at the gate
Fully Collapsible Stroller Weighing Less Than 20 lbs.
- May be checked at the ticket counter
- May be checked at the gate
- May not be carried on the aircraft
- Exempt from baggage charges
Large Stroller or Non-Collapsible Stroller or Heavy Stroller Weighing Over 20 lbs.†
- Strongly discouraged to avoid damage. Facilities were not designed to accommodate these types of strollers
- May be checked at the ticket counter†
- May not be carried on the aircraft
- Exempt from baggage charges
Please note: American is not responsible for damage to any stroller not properly packed in original packaging.
†Effective June 1, 2011, large, jogging, non-collapsible strollers, or those over 20 lbs will no longer be accepted at the gate and therefore must be checked at the ticket counter. There is no charge as long as a child or infant is traveling.