Anyone travelled with baby and a stroller on AirFrance? I have a foldable stroller + attached car seat. Thanks
chan asked:
Would like to understand the procedures and the quality of their handling on coach.
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Would like to understand the procedures and the quality of their handling on coach.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Class of service has nothing to do with how your stoller will be handled, the ground crew doesn’t know or care where someone is sitting as far as putting your things in the bin.
When you get to the gate, check in at the counter and let them know you will be gate checking items and they will be tagged. You may ask for pre-boarding so that you can get on with the baby and have the items folded before boarding and not have 400 people behind you waiting. They may or may not allow you depending on the city, but most cities will. Ask the gate agent if there is are 2 empty seats together and if you can take the car seat on board with you and have the baby sit in the seat instead. That way the baby is restrained for the duration of the flight and gives your arms a break, you’ll need it and if there is turbulance, it can be bad at times and you may not be prepared to hold on tight enough.
Once you get down the jetway, detach the carrier and fold down the stroller and leave it in the jetway and it will be placed in the forward bulk bin under the aircraft for the duration of the flight. Don’t be surprised if the stroller and car seat come back dirty if not filthy, the bins arent clean and items can shift during the flight, so broken wheels and handles are common. If your child is old enough and can sit up unsupported, just take a cheap umbrella stroller that can be put in the over head bin, if that is possible for your trip.
I have a travel system and have flown several times with my daughter who is 6 months old. Each flight, it gets broken every time. The first flight, the tray broke off and there wasnt a replacement part. Didnt realize it until I got home though, so couldnt file a claim. Then the next flight, the break broke off and this last flight the wheel. Mine was not a cheap one either. I did file a claim both times, but airlines work in a reimbursment sort of way. You buy the replacement at the value they are willing to cover, depending on the initial price and age of the stroller, and then send in the reciepts and wait for a check. I sent in the original receipt and Im still waiting 6 weeks later for a check. Point of this is, make sure you look over everything in the jetway before you put your baby in the travel system to make sure every part is the way it should be. If there is any damage at all, file a claim as soon as you get to baggage claim. I worked for an airline too, so Ive been on the other end of this as well. Just remember they will not cover cleaning for the filth that will be all over the stroller.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to IM or e-mail me at I have flown many times with my daughter AND worked for a partner airline, so I can answer any that you have from both perspectives