holiday puschair dilema

[teambluemummy]

hi ladies,

so we are luckily off on holiday to portugal in July - wooo! LO will be just 5 months when we go.

now the problem is we have the bugaboo cameleon (which we love to pieces) but have been told by BA that the pushchair we take must fold in one piece so ruling out our beloved cameleon! :(

have had a look and cant decide between the bugaboo bee or the city jogger?? any reviews suggestions? or even another one you like? I dont want a maclaren style one as I dont think LO will be that comfy in it as hes so small still

thanks !!! xxxxx

I absolutely would not take the Bee on a plane. If any pushchair were likely to get damaged it would be the Bee IMHO - there's too many bits sticking out. Having watched pushchairs being dropped many metres onto the tarmac, and then having suitcases piled on top (pushchairs are usually first onto the trolley), I would aim for something with as neat a fold as you can get ie flat or umbrella fold. I would get a Baby Jogger City Mini, but still invest in a travel bag for it.

Only trouble with putting it in a travel bag is that it will go straight to the baggage carousel and not be left at the plane's door, as the bag handlers will see it as luggage and not a buggy.

Voice of experience here.

BTW I had my similar aged child in a Maclaren but put a sheepskin liner on it and reclined as far back as it would go, and DC was quite comfy.

We've flown with BA v recently and have just taken our regular pushchair with us (I Candy Cherry). It's in 2 parts and we had no problems taking it right up to the gate where we then put it in a travel bag. We then collected it at the aircraft door. We've done 3 return flights with it and so far no damage to it.

I have a bee but bought the McLaren Volo for flights. Not as comfy but the bee would have been destroyed 50 times by now

I have a cameleon but bought a silver cross pop for holidays. It can be taken to the aircraft door but the hood fabric is SPF 50+ so great for additional sun protection. The Pop gets mixed reviews but we thought it was great.

We have a cam but bought a cheap quinny zapp from ebay to take on the plane (came with its travel bag) we checked it in and DS went in a sling while we hung around the airport and then waited for our luggage at the other end.

Baby jogger city mini no question :)

You have been lucky because I have flown copious amounts with children, and only once (at the foreign end) been given a pushchair back upon arrival, and once we were allowed to keep the pushchair in the cabin. Don't ever bank on getting a pushchair back before baggage reclaim!

I went to the Algarve when DS was a wee baby- we took with the Chicco Liteway as it lay down flat for sleeps and is great for hot countries as it is well ventilated.

City mini. Flown with it numerous times, ridiculously easy to fold at the plane door and generally brilliant all round.

I'd also take a good sling/carrier (we have an ergo) for the bit before you get the buggy back.

Op - why not buy the bugaboo travel bag, put the chassis and pushchair part in it then check the whole thing in as lo's luggage? They are allowed one piece. The travel bag is wheeled and padded so will protect it in transit. Just means you won't have the pushchair at the airport but perhaps just use a sling?

All it means s that you and dh would have to put lo's clothes etc in your cases / hand luggage.

This is what I'm doing on a flight next week.

We had this one for holidays. Reclines almost flat, has really good size hood (better than Maclaren) and very affordable. We have used it loads on public transport, museums, anywhere where it's more convenient. And holidays abroad. I couldn't justify an expensive second pushchair!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BABY-BOY-ZETA-VOOOM-PUSHCHAIR-PRAM-STROLLER-OCEAN-BLUE-/360619740405?pt=UK_Baby_BabyTravel_Pushchairs_GL&hash=item53f69c8cf5

I agree with Skygirls - I am on holiday with my 10 week old at the moment -at home we have an icandy peach but i haven't brought that with us, we have an umbrella stroller suitable from birth, I bought a sheepskin liner and DD is fine in it. ( am also a recent convert to those liners! I wish I'd got one with DD 1 as they regulate temperature. Great as it's 35 degrees here at the mo). Umbrella strollers are v v handy for hols IMO. I would go for a nice Maclaren not an O'Baby like mine if you do change your mind and go for one though. Lighter, more manoeuvrable etc.

Also- much like Tiggywunkle I don't think they've ever given me my buggy back at the plane door- I've always been allowed to take it to the plane but it's always come back on the carousel. That's with BA/Virgin/Air France/ Swissair... On a mix of long and short haul flights.