BUGABOO BUTTERFLY REVIEW FEATURE: I was excited to try out Bugaboo’s new travel stroller, especially having booked a long haul flight with a stopover. This Bugaboo Butterfly travel stroller review focusses on our use on several flights and using in south east Asia.
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The Bugaboo buggy came in the box already assembled and a rain cover was included. You can see immediately how compact it is folded.
Folding and unfolding
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The stroller has an easy one handed fold using two buttons pressed together and it can be done with one hand. As you flick it open it often goes straight into place, but other times I have to push the back of the seat to click it all into place (I can use my knee so still one handed).
Folding it down is also done with the same two buttons pressed together and pushing down on the handle.
The staff at the airport hadn’t seen this stroller before and were amazed at how easy it is to fold. As you push down, the stroller clicks together so you can lift it one handed. There is a carry strap you can use, but you need to ensure it is in the right place in the basket before folding, otherwise you can lift it by the handle quite easily.
Canopy
Going somewhere hot, the canopy is important and I was impressed with the size of the Butterfly’s. This compact stroller canopy has an additional zip to open it up further with a breathable mesh and it provides a lot of shade.
Stroller Recline
I have been testing the Butterfly with my nine month old baby who still naps twice a day and I love how easy the stroller is to recline.
It doesn’t lie flat and therefore is only suitable from 6 months but it lies back enough to look comfortable for longer sleeps (111°-145°). There are two positions, upright and reclined and it can be changed one handed between the two. The seat is only forward facing – I would love to find a travel stroller like this that parent faces but I think it is worth the compromise for the size and weight of the Butterfly.
Comfort
The stroller is designed for children up to 22kg/around 4 years which is bigger than most in the travel stroller category. My petite 6 year old (21.5kg) has ridden in it on some longer days and it is still easy to push and tall enough in the seat to handle her. At 5 foot 9, I often struggle with stroller’s that don’t have a height adjustable bar, but I find the Butterfly is still comfortable to push.
Basket
The basket is a reasonable size and I can fit our changing bag under there. Officially, it can carry up to 8kg and I found it easier to access from the front rather than the back.
The back of the basket is flexible though which helps with putting in larger items.
Wheels
We have used the stroller on the bumpy streets of south east Asia and I was impressed with how it attempts them. It can’t compete with a larger pushchair and the smaller wheels can get stuck, but it was light to manoeuvre and handled better than expected.
If you live around cobbled streets then this isn’t the stroller for you, as it is definitely more suited to city pavements but the 4 wheel suspension means it can handle uneven ground too.
The size does come in handy for narrow spaces though and it can fit through small doorways and spaces with ease.
The stroller comes with a rain cover but it is compatible with other Bugaboo accessories like the cup holder and smart phone holder. It can be used as a travel system and is compatible with Bugaboo Turtle One and Air by Nuna & other Maxi-Cosi® infant car seats.
The basket, frame and seat base are wipe clean but the stroller comes with a seat liner which can be removed and hand washed to keep the stroller fresh and clean.
Compact for Planes and Cars
Once folded, the stroller is a very compact 45 x 23 x 54 cm which means it fits in most car boots (we have a Ford S Max 7 seater and with all 7 seats up I could fit in several folded Butterflys).
It it also approved as cabin luggage and can slide into the overhead lockers easily..
We have tried it so far on Air India, British Airways and Vietnam Airlines and it was a comfortable fit in the lockers – something that made a stopover much more comfortable for all of us! It is unusual to be given your pushchair or stroller back for stopovers as you will usually collect any stroller at your final destination. Being able to use a super compact foldable stroller in-between connecting flights was incredibly useful!
It could just about fit down the aisles on the Air India plane but the Vietnam Airlines had more narrow walkways so I think whether you can push it down the plane depends largely on the airline. BA for example asked me to fold it up before I walked down the aisle.
Pros and Cons of the Bugaboo Travel Stroller
Pros of stroller
- Lightweight
- Good sized basket
- Suitable up to 22kg
- One second fold
- Good coverage with sun canopy
Cons of stroller
- Not the best on tricky terrains
- Doesn’t lie flat
Bugaboo Butterly features I loved
- Comfortable fit for both babies and the top of the size range.
- Cabin luggage approved.
- One second fold.
- Generous sun canopy.
Vital stats
- Weight: 7.3 kg
- Dimensions when folded: 45 x 23 x 54 cm
- Recline: Yes
- Storage Basket: Yes
- Travel Bag?: No
- Sun Canopy: Yes
- Max Weight Capacity: 22kg
- Age suitable for: 6 months – 4 years
- Compatible with Car Seat: Yes with adaptors available separately. Compatible with Bugaboo Turtle One and Air by Nuna & other Maxi-Cosi® infant car seats.
- Dimensions unfolded 92.5 x 45 x 102.4 cm
- Colours: Available in Midnight black, Forest green, Stormy blue
- UK Price £395/ USA Amazon price here
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Thank you for your support as always.
Kait
Tuesday 1st of November 2022
Does it fit in the overhead bin on United? What is a good travel bag to fit this in if it needs to be checked?
Ver
Tuesday 22nd of November 2022
@Sarah, Thank you I've been searching the internet like a crazy women!
Sarah
Wednesday 16th of November 2022
@Manuela, it fits in the ergo baby metro travel backpack! Found that out by sheer dumb luck because I had bought the ergobaby metro and it's bag, returned the stroller but couldn't return the bag so figured I'd give it a try and sure enough, it works perfectly!
Manuela
Friday 4th of November 2022
@Kait, I’ve been looking for one too. Does anyone have recommendations?? I don’t know why bugaboo doesn’t just make one
Carrie Bradley
Wednesday 2nd of November 2022
International flights it would as larger aircraft - I'm not sure on domestic.
Lisa
Sunday 30th of October 2022
You can use a car seat with the stroller though.
Carrie Bradley
Sunday 30th of October 2022
Thank you - yes you are completely correct. We edited the bottom part straight after publishing but missed that bit in the middle! Thanks so much for letting us know!