This guide follows a pushchair from the airport security checkpoint to the aircraft, using pages published by two English airports: Heathrow’s “Travelling with children” page and five pages from Manchester Airport’s website. Only the Manchester security guide shows a date (last updated April 2026); the other pages read show no date. The two airports word things differently and the Manchester pages do not all agree, so each is reported separately. The pages are the airports’ own and are not the rules of any airline, which this guide does not cover.
The airline decides first
Manchester Airport’s security guide says that with a pram, buggy or pushchair there are different rules and processes depending on the airline. A passenger might be asked to check it in with hold luggage or at the departure gate, or might be allowed to take it through security and keep it until boarding. The airport says it strongly recommends contacting the airline in advance. Heathrow’s page lists checking the airline’s rules for buggies, car seats and baby bags among things to do before leaving home, and says that most airlines let passengers use a pushchair in the terminal and take it to the gate.
At the checkpoint
Heathrow says pushchairs, car seats and baby carriers must go through security checks, and that pushchairs will usually need to be folded before they are screened. Its checklist before reaching the checkpoint begins with being ready to fold the pushchair. The page adds that children who can walk on their own may go through the scanner on their own, and that a child who cannot walk can be carried through.
Manchester’s guide says that if the airline allows the pushchair to be kept until boarding, a member of staff at security will direct the passenger to a queue, and an “assisted” lane may be available if it is not too busy. A Manchester blog post of tips for young children (undated) says pushchairs, buggies and other children’s travel items may need additional screening, so it recommends allowing extra time and keeping essential items easy to access.
Which lane? Manchester’s pages give two answers
Manchester’s FastTrack page answers the question “Can I use Security FastTrack if I’m travelling with a pushchair?” with “Yes”: passengers with infants under three years old, pushchairs or car seats can use Security FastTrack provided the rest of the party has bought it, and infants under three travel through the lane free and need no separate booking.
The booking terms and conditions say the opposite. Clause 8.8 reads that, “due to regulatory restrictions”, FastTrack or FastTrack Plus cannot be provided to customers travelling with child transport accessories, including pushchairs, prams and car seats, and that such customers will be directed to the Assistance Lanes. The terms cover bookings on the Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands websites, and the page shows no date of the terms. Neither page says which governs, so a passenger would need to confirm with the airport before paying.
The TimeSlot page, which concerns a different product, says it is not suitable for those travelling with pushchairs or car seats, or for infants under three years old, who are instead automatically directed to the Assistance Lane and need no TimeSlot booking.
Heathrow’s Fast Track
Heathrow describes Fast Track as a dedicated security lane that some families find useful when travelling with young children, buggies or several bags. It says Fast Track must be booked in advance and that spaces depend on the terminal and time of day. The page read does not say that pushchairs are excluded from Fast Track.
At the gate and after landing
Heathrow’s page says a pushchair taken to the gate will usually go into the aircraft hold when boarding, and that where it is returned depends on the airline: it may be at the aircraft or at baggage reclaim. It advises checking with the airline before travelling. The Manchester pages read do not say where a pushchair is returned.
Asking for help
Heathrow describes a “Meet and Assist” service in which a trained host guides passengers through the airport, and says it can be useful when travelling alone with children or with a buggy and several bags. Manchester’s routes to help are the staff at security and the assisted lane described above.
The bottom line
On Heathrow’s page, a pushchair will usually need to be folded to be screened, most airlines let it be used up to the gate, and the airline decides where it is returned. On Manchester’s security guide (April 2026), whether the pushchair stays with the passenger to the gate or goes into the hold depends on the airline, and an assisted lane may be available if it is not too busy. Manchester’s FastTrack page and its booking terms disagree on whether pushchairs can use FastTrack, so the position should be checked with the airport and the airline before paying for a lane.
Sources
- Travelling with children, Heathrow, page undated, read 7 November 2026 (heathrow.com)
- Guide to going through Security, Manchester Airport, last updated April 2026, read 7 November 2026 (manchesterairport.co.uk)
- Security FastTrack at Manchester Airport, Manchester Airport, page undated, read 7 November 2026 (manchesterairport.co.uk)
- TimeSlot, Manchester Airport, page undated, read 7 November 2026 (manchesterairport.co.uk)
- Security FastTrack Booking Terms and Conditions (MAG Security FastTrack, FastTrack Plus and TimeSlot), Manchester Airport, no date of terms shown, read 7 November 2026 (manchesterairport.co.uk)
- Travelling with Young Children, Manchester Airport blog, page undated, read 7 November 2026 (manchesterairport.co.uk)