I concur with the bring the stroller (and carseat) advice! In the spring we traveled and had the most hellacious flight experience ever (flight was cancelled, waited in line for 2 hours to be rebooked, had to gather all checked baggage and switch terminals, still had to wait 2 more hours for flight, etc. etc) and if i didn't have the stroller to help manage my 2.5 year old, we would have been DOOMED! Even if everything at the airport goes well, you can stroll through the airport much faster, and if needed to get stuff out of your bags, use the restroom, etc. can have both your hands free as needed. Our stroller has made it on many trips relatively unscathed....I bought a lighter-weight "umbrella" stroller (a Maclaren) so it folds up very tightly. You do have to fold it, and put it on the security conveyor with your bags. This is the one aspect of airline travel that is so annoying. To be juggling small child, bags, stroller, removing shoes, etc. through security. Oh, they will also make you remove your child's shoes. Just take a deep breath and smile sweetly to the people standing behind you - you WILL hold up the line, but that's just how airline travel works in this day and age. Good luck!