Advice please - damage to buggy on aeroplanes?

[FumblinaTheWitch]

We are due to travel long haul to South Africa next month with DD who will be 6 months at the time (or 4.5 months corrected age)

I understand we can take our buggy with us to the gate and it will go into the hold until we arrive however I am worried about it getting damaged en route.

the model we have doesn't have a travel case and I can't find an alternative one to fit anywhere.

I know it seems a fairly insignificant worry compared to the rest of the reality of flying with DD but we can't afford to replace/buy additional stroller as we are going to have to hire/buy cot etc as we are staying with older relatives.

Has anyone else experienced any problems with damage when travelling with their buggy?

I haven't had my buggy damaged, but mine did go missing once. I was flying from Japan to the UK via Paris. The buggy arrived in Paris, but didn't make the change to the UK.
It was eventually replaced, but it caused me quite a lot of inconvenience during the time I was without.

One other thing to check is whether or not you are really allowed to take it to the gate. That's not always true with all airlines and all airports.
For example, on the same journey as above, I also learned that Paris airport does not allow you to take use a buggy if you are changing flights there. I was forced to carry DD in a sling and all my luggage during my 3 hour change over. I was travelling alone and she was not walking yet, so it was quite a hassle for me.
Some airlines also refuse to accept buggies at the gate and make you check them in with your luggage.

In the years of flying with the 4 DC now aged 20 months to 17 years we've had a couple of buggies go missing a couple of times which normally turn up a day or too later and our brand new Phil & Teds was suffered minor damage last year. We also had our car seat broken this summer so now won't take anything expensive on the plane.
I'm pretty sure they don't accept liability for any damage caused to buggys (they did pay out for a new car seat) and think you'll find on the tag that is put on the buggy when it is taken at the gate it has a clause about damage so make sure it is insured.

We bought a Quinny stroller that folds up into a small travel case which I believe is about the only stroller you are allowed to take on board the plane, ie in the cabin.

check out kiddicare for alternative travel bags

I've had a car seat damaged but the buggies have been fine
Either get a massive clear bag (some airlines will provide these) or keep looking for a travel bag

We bought a cheap buggy to take on the plane when DD#1 was small and have had no problems - now on DD#3! If you look on ebay you can get some decent second hand strollers at bargain prices. It could be well worth your doing this rather than taking anything bulky, then sell it on when you are done with it.

We now have a 'travel buggy' which is cheap and cheerful as we have had ours delayed a couple of times. Also something happened to one of ours which caused the chassis to break in two when we put DD (then 8 months) into it, luckily she was fine but we were left with a broken buggy our DD and all our luggage to carry! (thankfully we had a baby carrier, which I couldn't have managed without!)
HTH and Hope you have a great trip!

Have had 2 smashed in the hold. Not sure there is much that can be done to prevent it other than take a picture before and after and ensure you have travel insurance, although our house insurance covered it.