Have You Ever Flown with a Pack 'N' Play?

I haven't flown with a pack 'n' play, but I've flown with a stroller. They gave us a large plastic bag to put the stroller in in Florida and they put it under the plane.
I would call the airlines and see if they have the plastic bags at the airport. I would definitely try to protect it as much as possible. I would be worried about it getting dirty.

Hi C., we always put the Pack 'n' Play in a large travel bag with the shoes or beach towels or thick sweaters or whatever doesn't fit in the suitcase. That worked very well for us. Have a save trip!

I've only traveled with a pack and play (three of them actually) while driving and found it to be heavy and cumbersome. If you're staying at a hotel, ask if they have a portable crib (which is usually a pack and play anyway) and just bring your own crib sheets. With the travel restrictions what they are today, you'll definitely have to check it in. If you have time, check out OneStepAhead.com. They have GREAT travel beds for children called Pea Pods - they're light weight and can fit in a suitcase or can be carried on. They run between $60 & $80 I think. Just another idea.

I have also flown with my sons pack n play and we didn't use additional covering. Just the zipper cover it came with.
We also checked it.
Some airports have a baggage return for odd sizes. This is where our pack n play was sent one time, so be aware that it might not be with the regular luggage.

Hello! We had to fly alot when my daughter was born. We also had to bring a pack n play. We checked it because, we always had a diaper bag and another bag to carry on, car seat, stroller etc. Check with your airline and see what is allowed to carry on. Sometimes it goes by weight as well. Those pack and plays can be down right heavy! We just checked it in the cover that it came with. We always got it back in good condition. In the long run, it became a pain for us to keep carrying that with us. So we bought one for our family to keep. We sometimes borrowed one from someone we knew who ran a daycare. Other times, the hotels will have pack and plays instead of cribs. So check out all your options before you lug one with you! But we did it at first. I would recommend you check it. For us it depended on the other things we were carrying on board. Hope this helps and have fun!

A few years ago I flew to Texas with a Pack n Play. I thought that I'd be able to carry it on, but the woman at the check-in counter said that it wouldn't fit and had to be checked. I just had it zipped in the cover that it comes with. After returning home, I unpacked the pack n' play to find that one of the "feet" was broken. When I called the airline, they said that since I'd already left the airport, they wouldn't do anything to compensate me for the damage. I highly recommend trying to cushion the "feet" of the pack n' play for the travel. When mine is folded up, the end with the feet has a "hole" made by the feet (sometimes I take advantage of the space to pack a stuffed animal in there). Maybe cramming a towel in that end and wrapping one around the outside would help provide some support/cushion. I also suggest inspecting it immediately after removing it from baggage claim. If there is damage, you'll have to show it to someone before you leave the airport if you want them to do anything about it.
I hope this information helps. I sure wish I had known it before I flew. Happy flying!
C. W.
PS After reading some of the other responses, I'd probably invest in a Peapod if I had it to do again!

We have flown with our pack n play a couple of times. We check it and keep it in the cardboard box that it came in and taped it. If you take the pack n play this way, make sure to bring some packing tape with you so you can seal it back up! :) Hope this helps.

Yes, we have flown several times with the pack n play. You must check it as luggage. The airlines will not let you bring it on as a carry-on. Just tag the handle as if it were a normal suitcase. You do not need to put it in anything extra. Also, just a tip on flying with a baby. Be sure to bring a bottle for him to drink at take off and landing, even if it just has water in it. It will help him with the popping of his ears and pressure changes.

Check it for sure. We have flown twice with ours and just had the cover it came with. It does fine. If you feel your cover is a little flimsy, get a big, cheap duffle bag and place it inside. Don't carry on - first, it probably won't fit, second you have to gate check your stroller anyway and third you will need a whole duffle full of toys, books, snacks, blankets, diapers, wipes, sippy cups, etc, etc, for your baby. There is only so much that you can carry after all :)
Fly safe and breathe.

Yes, we did check ours with just the cover it came with. If there is a travel bag out there for it I would suggest buying one. The airlines are very rough on luggage and checked items and our bag came back ripped. Good luck. Same with carseats, buy a carry case, they just throw it around.

I have flown several times w/ a pack & play..you want to check it at the check-in counter if you can..if checking it there exceeds your bag allowance then you can check it at the gate. It's easier to check it at the counter, then you don't have to lug it through the airport..you don't need an additional case for it, we don't use an added case.

Hi C.,

I have flown with my pack and play. It will not fit the size requirements for a carry on.
You can check it in, just have your tag ready with your personal info in case something happens.
I have also not brought anything in addition to the zipper it comes it. The playpen arrived unharmed, just remember it is considered a piece of luggage and you only get 2 per passanger, anything in addition will cost ya! ;)

Amy

You have to check it. It's too big for carry on. There is no reason you should have to bring it on the plane with you. The car seat usually will be checked in baggage too unless you purchased your child a separate seat. It's really not a big deal. It will take a ride down the conveyor belt with the rest of the luggage. Just make sure you put bright tape or something obscure on the case to make it stand out from everything else.

We usually try and rent a crib at the location where we're staying. It's much less hassle than hauling our pack N play and usually not that expensive. Check and see if there's a place where you're going to be. Baby's Away is one company that does this. Also local consignment shops frequently do too.

Yes, but it was years ago. It traveled well - I did check it through (zipped in the cover) and the cover got a little dirty, but it was quite durable. I would probably now put it in a larger plastic bag just to keep it clean. My daughter slept fine in it. Have a nice trip!

I did fly with a pack and play but that was 9 yrs ago. We only used the zipping cover and checked it in. Hope this helps!

We traveled to France with ours. You have to check it because it's big. I'd recommend buying a big duffle bag. It makes it easier to carry and more secure for checking

I know you have a lot of responses already, but one additional caution - - go ahead and cover it in something if you can - even a large black garbage bag!

We flew to Florida with our pack-n-play just in the regular zippered case. When we claimed it at baggage, something with a fishy smell had spilled on it during transport! Fortunately, I was able to get it completely washed down and no smell remained, but still . . .

I flew with it to Mexico when we went on vacation. We checked as a piece of luggage. We just used the bag it came in and tied a strong bungee around it so in case the bag ripped it wouldn't fall all over.

We flew with ours quite a bit. We just used the zippered cover that comes with it and carried it by the handle that sticks through the cover. That's where the luggage tag was attached, too. We always checked it with normal baggage. It was never damaged and we're still using it on a regular basis 5 years later with our 3rd child. One tip to remember is to use that 'extra' room... with our pack n play, we can squeeze in the fitted sheet, a few small blankies (for swaddling) and some toys so there's a bit more room in the other luggage.

When traveling with our pack n play and umbrella stroller, I bought a big mesh laundry bag from Big Lots for about $3. The stroller fit perfectly in it (as would the pack n play) and it has a shoulder strap so it made it so much easier to carry and adds some extra protection, whether you're checking it or not. If you put the pack n play in the laundry bag, I'd first put it in a garbage bag. Or, if you still have the box from the pack n play, just put it back in the box and tape it closed. Good luck!

Many times. Use the cover provided, label the Pack N Play, check it as checked luggage, and make sure to bring two sheets in your carry on or other suitcases, just in case one sheet gets dirty while away. So much easier than a hotel crib or pack n play. Enjoy!

Check it as luggage and just keep it in its own bag.
Be sure to put a luggage tag on it.

If you are staying at a hotel, check to see if they will provide a crib in your room.
Or if you are staying with family or friends it might be easier if they could borrow or rent one for your stay.
Bon voyage!

When we traveled with the pack n play we just checked it as luggage. We didn't pack it in anything special and it arrived just fine. Good luck and have a great trip.

S.

Several years ago we checked ours as luggage and the airlines ruined it! We actually had to go out and buy a new one when we arrived in Florida! They didn't compensate us for ANY of the damage.

I would recommend checking it in the original box, if possible. If not, definitely find another box.

Have a great trip!

I flew with mine lots and I think always checked it. It's easiest especially if you are checking other luggage, and you'll probably have enough to tote onto the plane between the boy and all his flight goodies! I never used additional cover than the one it zips into, just make sure the handle peeks out at the top and you can attach a name tag to it there. Good luck!

Yes I've done this for years. You check it as luggage. Mine came with a cover to protect it. I just label it with our information, and your on your way. The pack 'n' play is way cleaner and safer than the hotel cribs. Have fun on your trip!