Stroller damaged by airline

[Lentilbaby]

We're looking for a stroller for an upcoming holiday.

Considering using it around town afterwards too so willing to splash out a bit.

I've been shopping today and an assistant has said that 70% of strollers that are put in to the hold at the aircraft door are damaged by the time you reach your destination.

Is this true? 😳

Any experience of this?

I’ve never heard that statistic before (and seriously, who would be collating that data from every airline?!), but I do know anecdotally of a few people who have had strollers damaged by aircraft.

I personally wouldn’t take an expensive one onboard. I used to use a simple John Lewis umbrella £30 pushchair for holidays. Of course, it went in many planes and was never damaged!

We used a Quincy Yezz as it folded up small enough and was within the limit for taking on as cabin luggage! It folds up really small and has a strap to put over your shoulder.

@Enidblyton1

Thanks for the advice. I think a cheaper one is definitely a safer option!
Just thinking about the state of suitcases after a few trips....not completely damaged but they are certainly well scuffed!

@Tefiti2
Is the handle bar adjustable on that one? We are both tall!

I took my iCandy double on holiday. They let you use it up until the point of the aircraft doors then they take it away. I assume they put it with the hold luggage as when we collected ours on the other-side it was damaged! So my advice is to definitely take a cheap stroller.

@Tefiti2
Sorry....also does it have good sun coverage and does it recline?

I’ve checked a big pram twice and it wasn’t damaged. I know lots of people that have checked theirs with no issues either so whilst I’m sure there’s a risk of damage, I seriously doubt the 70% figure is accurate. Packing it in a bag reduces the chance of scuffing.

But I’d definitely recommend a carry on stroller. Super easy to use and no having to carry baby through the airport if they don’t bring it up to the aircraft door. We have the babyzen YoYo which is brilliant, it essentially replaced our big pram which only makes an appearance when it’s snowy. The handlebar isn’t adjustable but DH is 6ft2 and has no issue with it whatsoever. The options PP have mentioned will probably be cheaper than the YoYo though!

@Lulu2106
That's terrible. Thanks for the advice.

Flown three times in the last year and never had a problem with ours - our car seat also made it through the last one 😊

Have a look at the Babyzen yo-yo, it folds up to hand luggage size.

I've taken strollers 4/5 times. They've never been damaged in a way that effects the use but always scuffed and dirty when they com out on the carousel.

The Babyzen yoyo is sounding like a good idea, especially as I'd like to use it afterwards. It would be great to be able to use it instead of the travel system we have.

Will have to give up one bag of hand luggage between us but sounds like it's worth it!

We took our maclaren xt about 4 times to Greece and Spain, and it was never damaged.

We bought a maclaren xt too (also tall). Full recline was fab.

I’m selling it now if you’re interested, OP.

I've travelled with three different strollers (depending on stage) many times (bugaboo chameleon and bee and a mclaren)

I've never had trouble with damage (and as an aside recently had my luggage damaged and fully replaced)

My advice, especially if you like to be out an about, do NOT take a cheap buggy. They're heavy, difficult to manouvre and don't have any of the features that make life easier when you're short of hands

I always take my bugaboo in its carry case. Check out your insurance I paid an excess waiver for less than £10 for a year. That way if it's damaged I'm covered.

I'm tall - over 6ft. I've taken my bee5, bj premier, cmgt, mama's and Papas Urbo2 all abroad several times. I've never had any damage. Use a decent travel case! 'Holiday strollers' are generally rubbish - only world facing, crap sunshade/tiny hood, umsupportive seats, etc etc. I'd rather spend money on a travel case for a decent pushchair than cart my baby around in an uncomfortable, inadequate two handled horror any day of the week.

Took my graco evo on a flight to Edinburgh and the soft casing handle barhad a deep gouge in it when we got it back. I would say take a cheap buggy or put it in a travel bag if possible.

They often let you have them as an extra item (ie it won't necessarily use up your allowance). Check w the airline.

Also if they do get damaged the airline should replace...if it's just a bit scuffed they won't tho.

I always wanted (but never had) a hand luggage size one because the walk through the airport the other side and then the wait for luggage sometimes really long with a tired/sleeping baby/toddler...