Gate checking refers to the practice that allows passengers to check in their bags directly at the

gate A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word is derived from Proto-Germanic language, Proto-Germanic ''*gatan'', meaning an opening or passageway. Synonyms include yett (which comes from the same root w ...

. Gate checking is mostly used on small planes when there is not enough space to take on board the cabin bags of all passengers. Some companies offer different incentives for passengers who volunteer to check their bags at the gate instead of taking them on board. Virgin America offered free early boarding to its passengers who offer to gate check their carry-ons.

Regulation

Airline policies do not allow

strollers Various methods of transporting children have been used in different cultures and times. These methods include baby carriages (prams in British English), Child safety seat, infant car seats, portable bassinets (carrycots), strollers (pushchairs), ...

on board. Passengers travelling with young

children A child () is a human being between the stages of childbirth, birth and puberty, or between the Development of the human body, developmental period of infancy and puberty. The term may also refer to an unborn human being. In English-speaking ...

can check in their strollers at the gate, free of charge. For each child, airlines allow passengers to check in a stroller and a car seat. Most companies recommend small umbrella-type strollers that fold and many of them have size and weight limits. Almost all airlines return the strollers to the jet bridge upon arriving at destination. Some companies, such as

United Airlines United Airlines, Inc. is a Major airlines of the United States, major airline in the United States headquartered in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois that operates an extensive domestic and international route network across the United States and six ...

, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines, assume no liability for any damage produced to gate-checked strollers. For this reason, passengers sometimes store their strollers and car seats in special gate check bags.

References

{{Commercial air travel Luggage Airport infrastructure Aircraft ground handling