Originally Posted by
expatboy
Maclaran Techno XT can be used from birth - it reclines fully for a newborn (although you might want a bit of extra padding e.g sheepskin). It's nice and narrow, and the umbrella fold mechanism means that we've very rarely had to check it in, even on shorthaul, as it fits in a wardrobe nicely and leaves space for coats etc. We've found the build quality to be very robust - ours is still going strong after 3 years and 2 babies (one of whom is a preschooler now).
+1 ^
I found the Maclaran's (generally) to be:
i. light when unladen
ii. easy to maneuver
iii. very simple to fold or construct with one hand
I consider them to be the VW Golf of the pram world. Reliable, simple and compact. The Bugaboo is akin to a 4x4: capable of more rugged terrain but seemed to be favoured by the residents of the topographically challenging South West of London.
On a recent LHR-MAN run, we were turned up at the gate with our Maclaren and another couple had a Bugaboo. The crew allowed ours onboard on the basis that it was the smaller of the two. (NB: Both the other couple and us were quite prepared for our pram to go in the hold)