Southwest Stroller & Car Seat Policy 2026
Traveling with a young child? Here's the good news: Southwest gate-checks strollers and car seats for free. Neither item counts toward your checked bag allowance.
Stroller & Car Seat Fee Summary
| Item | Fee | Counts as Checked Bag? | How to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stroller (any type) | Free | No | Gate check or ticket counter |
| Car seat | Free | No | Gate check or ticket counter |
| Car seat used onboard | Free | No | Must be FAA-approved; child needs a purchased seat |
| 1st checked bag | $35 | Yes | Separate from stroller |
How Gate Check Works
- 1
Bring your stroller to the gate
No special check-in required. Walk through security with your stroller and proceed to your gate as normal.
- 2
Request a gate-check tag at the gate
Ask a Southwest gate agent for a gate-check tag. They attach it to your stroller before you board. No fee is charged.
- 3
Leave stroller at the jet bridge entrance
When you board, fold and leave your stroller at the end of the jet bridge (just before the plane door). It will be loaded into the cargo hold.
- 4
Pick up at the jet bridge on arrival
Your stroller is returned to the jet bridge at your destination — typically before the baggage carousel bags arrive. Just wait at the top of the jet bridge after deplaning.
Car Seat Rules
Car Seat Used Onboard
- • Must purchase a seat for your child
- • Car seat must be FAA-approved (label on seat)
- • Must fit within the aircraft seat
- • Placed in window seat preferred by Southwest
- • Child must be under 40 lbs or per car seat label
Car Seat Gate-Checked
- • No purchased seat needed for child (lap infant)
- • Gate-check tag applied by agent
- • No fee — does not count as a checked bag
- • Returned to jet bridge on arrival
- • Can be checked at ticket counter instead
All Stroller Types Accepted
Umbrella stroller
Easiest to gate-check — folds compactly
Standard stroller
Gate-check at the jet bridge
Jogging stroller
Larger — may go to ticket counter if too wide
Double stroller
Accepted; larger models checked at counter
Travel system (stroller + car seat combo)
Both components free
Stroller wagons
Accepted as stroller; gate-check or counter
Total Cost: Family With Stroller
| Scenario | One-Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Stroller only (no checked bags) | $0 | $0 |
| Stroller + car seat | $0 | $0 |
| Stroller + 1 checked bag (per adult) | $35/adult | $70/adult |
| Stroller + 2 bags (per adult, no status) | $80/adult | $160/adult |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest charge for strollers?
No. Southwest allows passengers to check strollers at no charge. Strollers do not count toward your checked bag allowance and are not subject to the $35 first bag fee. You can either gate-check your stroller (most common) or check it at the ticket counter.
How does Southwest stroller gate check work?
At the gate, a Southwest agent will tag your stroller when you board. You leave it at the end of the jet bridge just before entering the plane. It is placed in the cargo hold and returned to the jet bridge at your destination — usually before other checked bags arrive. No fee is charged.
Can I bring a car seat on Southwest Airlines?
Yes. Car seats can be gate-checked for free if your child is traveling as a lap infant. If you purchased a seat for your child, an FAA-approved car seat may be used onboard. Car seats do not count toward the checked bag allowance.
Does a stroller count as a checked bag on Southwest?
No. Southwest treats strollers as special items exempt from checked bag fees. A stroller does not count as your first or second checked bag. You can still check 1 bag for $35 and a second for $45 in addition to a free stroller.
Can I bring a double stroller or jogging stroller on Southwest?
Yes. Southwest accepts all stroller types including umbrella strollers, standard strollers, jogging strollers, double strollers, and travel systems. All are gate-checked free of charge. Larger strollers may need to be checked at the ticket counter if they do not fit in the jet bridge area.
Calculate Your Family's Checked Bag Costs
Stroller and car seat are free — but checked bags still cost $35 and $45 per adult. Use the calculator to see your total trip cost.
Open Baggage Fee Calculator →Related: Family baggage fees · All bag fee amounts · Who gets free bags · Free bags guide · All fee guides · Carry-on rules
All information provided is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available data. Fee information was last verified against official Southwest baggage policy in March 2026. While we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained on this website.
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