Ideal pilot luggage will withstand trips through airport terminals, fit in crowded aircraft overhead bins and survive years of travel with the ability to find replacement parts when something like a wheel or handle breaks. After testing dozens of bags we think the best luggage for pilots overall is the Travelpro Platinum Elite 22-Inch 2- Wheel Rollaboard. It offers rugged softside durability, useful packing features and the steady maneuverability you get with a two-wheel design.
But when pilots pack their next flight, keep in mind that an overnight bag and a cockpit flight bag have different functions. Air pilots often use both during flights: a rolling suitcase for clothes and personal items, and a flight bag for their headset, electronic flight bag, chargers and paperwork.
Best Pilot Luggage at a Glance
| Product | Award | Best for | Type | Overall dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelpro Platinum Elite 22-Inch Rollaboard | Best Overall | Airline pilots and frequent flyers | Two-wheel rollaboard | 23 × 14.5 × 9 in | 7.7 lb |
| Briggs & Riley Essential 2-Wheel | Best Premium | Pilots prioritizing longevity | Two-wheel rollaboard | 22 × 14 × 9–11.5 in | Check listing |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 22-Inch Rollaboard | Best Lightweight | Commuters and weight-conscious pilots | Four-wheel rollaboard | 23 × 14.5 × 9 in | 5.4 lb |
| BrightLine Bags B7 Flight | Best Modular Flight Bag | Airline and corporate pilots | Modular flight bag | 13 × 10.5 × 14 in | 5.6 lb |
| Flight Outfitters Lift Mini 2.0 | Best for Student Pilots | Training and general aviation | Compact flight bag | 6.5 × 8.75 × 11 in | Check listing |
Dimensions include external components where the manufacturer or retailer provides an overall measurement. Always verify the latest product measurements before ordering because manufacturers may revise individual models.
How We Selected These Pilot Luggage Options
These products were rated based on criteria we think are most important when flying routinely:
- External dimensions with wheels and handles extended
- Dual wheel versus spinner design
- Weight when empty
- Fabric strength and frame stability
- Ease of use of handles/wheels
- Ease of organizing uniforms/headsets/electronics
- Quality for airline/corporate/home aviation cockpit
- Warranty and service repair options
We also differentiated between overnight rollaboards and cockpit flight bags. Sure, that big versatile flight bag might be ideal for transporting your flight gear, but won’t cut it for overnight travel as a suitcase replacement.
We don’t claim any of these suitcases to be “FAA approved” in this guide. The FAA doesn’t actually approve individual bags, and your storage space will vary by airline and airplane. Refer to your airlines’ employee baggage policy and the bags true dimensions before buying.
FAA approved means an item, person, or organization meets the safety, design, and quality standards of the Federal Aviation Administration. This status applies to aircraft parts, pilot training schools, and operational equipment to ensure they are safe for use in aviation
1. Travelpro Platinum Elite 22-Inch 2-Wheel Rollaboard
Best Overall Pilot Luggage
Our favorite all-around Amazon-available option for pilots looking for something durable yet traditional without upgrading to specialized commercial crew luggage is the Travelpro Platinum Elite series.
Its two-wheel design leaves the wheels partly recessed into the case rather than attaching four exposed spinner wheels to the corners. This lets the bag roll smoothly without quickly getting away from you while still providing more stability than a four-wheel spinner design.
The exterior is made from high-density nylon with a DuraGuard coating. Like most traditional rollaboards, the main compartment is expandable for times when you need a little extra packing space. It also comes with room to organize suits and other wrinkle-prone clothing. The listed dimensions overall are 23 × 14.5 × 9 inches. It weighs just under 7.7 pounds and has a capacity of 53.5 litres.
Unfortunately, the Platinum Elite is still consumer-level luggage. Do not attempt to introduce this suitcase as a replacement for your pilot jacket at your next airline job. Think of it as a durable suitcase with ample room to keep your uniforms organized.
Best For: Airline pilots, corporate pilots and frequent flyers looking for a stylish two-wheel rollaboard.
Pros
- Stable two-wheel construction
- Durable nylon exterior
- Garment and packing organization
- Expandable for added capacity
Cons
- Heavier than Travelpro Maxlite 5
- Not built with commercial crew use in mind
- Expanded dimensions exceed some carry-on limits
Verdict: Among luggage that isn’t exclusively marketed towards pilots, the Platinum Elite is our pick for the best combination of durability, organization, and everyday usability.
2. Briggs & Riley Essential 2-Wheel Carry-On
Best Premium Pilot Luggage
The Briggs & Riley Essential 2-Wheel Carry-On is ideal for pilots who don’t mind spending a bit more money for high-quality construction, packing organization and longer-term ownership benefits.
Its wheel configuration may also appeal to pilots who prefer having a bag that tracks straight behind them instead of a four-wheel spinner option. It measures around 22 × 14 × 9 inches but can expand to roughly 11.5 inches deep when necessary. There’s a garment section, an external pocket and a pass-through for a charging USB cable.
Briggs & Riley makes a dedicated aircrew collection with durability, lighter-weight materials and use in tight spaces in mind. The Baseline series travel suitcase highlighted here is a premium consumer bag rather than a specialized commercial crew option. However, it’s an excellent choice for pilots who want luggage that can double for personal travel.
The biggest downside is cost. If you replace luggage every few years due to wear and tear from frequent travel, consider a crew bag with swappable external components instead.
Best For: Captains, corporate pilots and anyone who travels for a living and wants a premium carry-on that will last for years.
Pros
- Premium construction
- Expandable storage
- Garment organization
- Built to last
Cons
- Pricier than Travelpro alternatives
- Expanded dimensions exceed many carry-on limits
- Not marketed specifically to commercial airline flight crews
Verdict: Pilots who don’t mind spending extra for a suitcase that feels nice and will age well can’t go wrong with the Briggs & Riley Baseline.
3. Travelpro Maxlite 5 22-Inch Rollaboard
Best Lightweight Pilot Rollaboard
If being able to lift your luggage into the overhead bin doesn’t totally kill your back, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 is the best option.
It weighs in at around 5.4 pounds, significantly lighter than the Platinum Elite, but still offers about 52 litres of total packing space. It has the same listed overall dimensions of 23 × 14.5 × 9 inches, but with the two-wheel setup, it also feels lighter when you’re pulling it through an airport. It also expands up to two inches.
Pilots who frequently lift their bags or fly with restrictive overhead luggage weight limits will appreciate that light empty weight. As with the Platinum Elite, its lighter frame and wheels aren’t designed to withstand the same level of wear and tear as one of Travelpro’s FlightCrew bags.
Best For: Commuting pilots, regional pilots and anyone who values having a lighter-weight carry-on.
Pros
- Approximately 5.4 lbs.
- Traditional 2-wheel design
- Packed with great capacity for its weight
- More affordable than Travelpro Platinum Elite
Cons
- Wheels and handles push it over 22 inches
- Expansion pushes it over many airlines’ size limits
Verdict: Pilots who need to lift their suitcase or pay close attention to luggage weight limits should buy the Maxlite 5.
4. BrightLine Bags B7 Flight Modular Gear Bag
Best Modular Flight Bag for Pilots
BrightLine’s B7 isn’t an overnight bag. It’s a rugged gear bag with removable modules designed to keep the tools a pilot needs before and during flight nicely organized.
Its adjustable compartments can hold one or two full-sized headsets, a tablet or electronic flight bag, flight charts, a handheld radio, any associated cables and a laptop up to about 13 inches. BrightLine’s signature interchangeable design also lets you move modules around to best fit your equipment load.
The B7 itself measures approximately 13 × 10.5 × 14 inches and weighs around 5.6 pounds. Having lots of smaller dedicated compartments keeps headsets, expensive electronics and laptops from mixing inside the same large open space. This can be especially helpful if you wear glasses and need to keep all your gear off the floor.
That said, the bag itself is heavy. Pilots who pack it full of equipment will likely struggle to lift it, let alone pick it up overhead. It’s also likely overkill for student pilots that only need to carry a headset and an iPad.
Best For: Airlines pilots, charter pilots and corporate pilots that need to carry multiple pieces of electronic gear and flying equipment.
Pros
- Modular, customizable layout
- Dedicated space for headsets, electronics
- Laptop-friendly
- Multiple openings to access stored gear
Cons
- Heavy, even before adding gear
- Cost significantly more than a simple padded flight bag
Verdict: Any pilot that needs to transport and organize several pieces of flight gear will want something as versatile as the BrightLine B7.
5. Flight Outfitters Lift Mini 2.0
Best Flight Bag for Student Pilots
The Flight Outfitters Lift Mini 2.0 helps pilots that want a simple bag to store their gear without requiring as much space in the cockpit.
It comes with a padded headset pocket, room in the main compartment for a small tablet and easy-access pockets for equipment you need quickly. There’s also a pass-through for your charging cable so you can keep your device connected to a battery pack without needing to leave your bag wide open.
At around 6.5 × 8.75 × 11 inches, the Lift Mini doesn’t take up as much space as the BrightLine B7. That focused size makes it ideal for flight instruction, local GA flights and any pilot or instructor that only carries a single headset and maybe an iPad.
Its compact form is also the bag’s primary drawback. Once you need to start carrying around a full-sized laptop, extra headsets, paper charts and more than a couple days worth of accessories you’ll outgrow it.
Best For: Student pilots, flight instructors and pilots who fly small general aviation aircraft.
Pros
- Small yet still functional dimensions
- Padded headset storage
- Easy access pockets
- Better for pilots that only carry a few tools
Cons
- Small packing capacity
- Not designed for larger tablets or laptops
Verdict: Student pilots that want something better than a shoulder bag should start here.
Should Pilots Choose Two Wheels or Four Wheels?
For full-time airline use, a two-wheel rollaboard is usually the safer starting point.
Two-wheel luggage generally offers:
- Larger recessed wheels
- Fewer exposed components
- Better stability on ramps and uneven surfaces
- More usable space inside the lower corners
- Predictable tracking when pulled behind the user
A four-wheel spinner is easier to move sideways through airport queues and narrow hotel corridors. However, its smaller externally mounted wheels are more exposed to impacts and rough surfaces.
Pilots who primarily travel through smooth terminals may enjoy a spinner. Those who regularly cross ramps, employee car parks, jet bridges and uneven pavement are more likely to appreciate a traditional two-wheel rollaboard. Specialist pilot-luggage manufacturers continue to emphasize two-wheel models, reinforced frames and replaceable parts for these reasons.
What to Look for in Luggage for Pilots
Measure the Complete Bag
Don’t judge size by just the interior case alone. Wheels, handles and exterior pockets contribute to overall dimensions that airlines will measure.
“A 22-inch carry-on” may actually measure closer to 23 inches from floor to the top of the wheel housing. Measure the complete exterior dimensions and compare that to the guidelines you’ll encounter on your flights.
Prioritize Repairability
Wheels and telescoping handles are areas where a lot of wear occurs. If you’ll be using your case for a rigorous schedule, the option to repair an individual wheel, handle or protective scuff plate could become more valuable than aesthetic considerations.
Some commercial crew-focused brands, like LuggageWorks, StrongBags and Travelpro FlightCrew, highlight durable frames, commercial-use construction and replaceable components.
Consider Empty Weight
Heavily reinforced crew bags will last longer, but they can also weigh a lot more. Weight is a consideration for both lifting ease and how much gear you can bring with an allotted weight allowance.
A frequent commuter pilot may appreciate the lightweight 5.4-pound Travelpro Maxlite 5, while another pilot tackling a more rigorous schedule might not mind the extra weight for a tougher frame.
Look for a Secure Two-Bag System
Pilots who travel with both a rollaboard and flight bag should think about how those bags will connect to one another. A back-loading luggage sleeve or robust J-hook keeps the smaller bag strapped to the suitcase while you’re navigating the terminal.
Likewise, the flight bag should sit comfortably on your shoulder without yanking the rollaboard backward when you let go of the handle.
Check Uniform and Company Requirements
Flying for an airline can come with restrictions on luggage colour, dimensions or even style. Black softside luggage is popular because it’s subdued, easier to match with a uniform and hides scuffs better.
Check with your employer for their most recent policy rather than relying on gear advertised towards pilots being universally accepted.
Do Full-Time Airline Pilots Need Specialist Crew Luggage?
The following bags are ones that frequent flying pilots should compare to dedicated crew bags before making a choice.
LuggageWorks, Travelpro FlightCrew, and StrongBags are brands that design their bags with professional use, durability, repairability, and frequent travelers in mind. These bags tend to be heavier, more costly, or harder to find at your typical retailer. However, they may offer better value if you’re a pilot that will be using your bag each week of your career.
Who will benefit most from this buying guide?
- Business and charter pilots
- Regional pilots or commuters
- Flight students and instructors
- Frequent travelers who want bags with pilot-style durability and functionality
Final Verdict
For most pilots shopping Amazon, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 22-Inch 2-Wheel Rollaboard is our pick for the best overall bag. It has many of the helpful characteristics pilots look for like softside durability, two-wheel stability and smart packing features.
Pick up the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 2-Wheel when build quality and lasting value are more important considerations than budget. If weight when empty is your biggest concern, you might be able to save a few ounces with the Travelpro Maxlite 5.
If you’re looking for cockpit kits, go with the BrightLine Bags B7, a versatile system for pro pilots. Fly students or GA owners packing less equipment should think about the lighter, more compact Flight Outfitters Lift Mini 2.0.
Pilots flying longhaul or commercial trips on a weekly basis should take a look at these suitcase options along with crew bag options. Just because a bag has every feature pilots could want doesn’t make it the best choice for you. You should buy the bag that suits your airplane, your equipment and the reality of how often you fly.