Did you actually try any air travel with Brompton inside or did actually just read assurances by the manufacturer?? ... I bought the Chubby early on, just to find it significantly exceeding the manufacturer's claimed dimensions and the airline limits on standard checked-in luggage. To make it worse, its oblong shape was likely to invite a check-in agent to use a tape. ... and started warning customers about padding the bike when putting it into the trailer, suggesting that there were problems with the cloth tearing, if someone actually put the bike in. In the meantime I started using the Bike Friday trailer system that actually works with air travel and is not just claimed to do so.
yes, I used that trailer for air travel and had no problem with Lufthansa and El Al, with the exception of having to carry it to the
irregular sized baggage port, but with no additional fee. Of course I don't mean using as hand check-in bag, because, where I come from, tit limit on that is 8-10 kg. I rather meant as suitcase where the limit is 23kg.
The Chubby has a
rectangular shape. The Cyclone had an
oblong shape (and somewhat better riding experience), but unfortunately, will not accommodate a folded Brompton...
Cyclone trailers use 16" wheels, which gives a smooth riding experience, including on gravel and rather rough terrain and sand. I understand the bike Friday trailer has smaller wheels so I doubt it would be as comfortable.
I think the quoted advice is unnecessary, since one naturally "pads" a bicycle case with whatever soft equipment that won't get into the handbag.
BTW, Peter mentioned he planned on the accessoryline also a Bike Friday style hard case that may be used as trailer (alas, with small wheels)