Frequent flyers know the importance of choosing the right luggage. Take pilots and flight attendants, for example. Their profession demands a What Luggage Do Pilots Use approach, as they spend a significant amount of time navigating airports and airplanes. Their top choices prioritize several key features: lightness, durability, and longevity. Look for suitcases with lifetime warranties and top-notch functionality.
Typically, pilots carry two bags: a checked bag and a smaller cabin or duffel bag. They prefer soft-sided bags for both checked and cabin luggage. Rollaboard or spinner luggage is popular for its durability, lightweight design, and convenient storage options. These bags, with their expandability and lack of side pockets, fit easily into cockpits or overhead compartments, making them ideal for those who travel regularly.
Consider the Size, Weight, and Durability of the Luggage
When buying luggage for a trip, focus on size based on how long you’ll be away. For longer trips, medium checked luggage works well. For shorter trips, a duffel bag or cabin bag is more suitable. Make sure to verify the size and weight of any luggage you choose to avoid any issues. Learn what the largest size for check-in is.
Some of the popular luggage brands among pilots and crew include Briggs & Riley, Travel Pro, and Rimowa. These brands are known for their high-quality and durable products, ideal for frequent travelers. Make sure the luggage you choose can stand up to the demands of constant travel.
What Luggage Do Pilots Use: 2 Wheels Rollaboard vs 4 Wheels Spinner Luggage
Pilots and cabin crew often have personal preferences when it comes to luggage. Rollaboard luggage and spinner luggage both have their own advantages.
Rollaboard Luggage:
- Only moves forward and backward.
- More extensive, heavy wheels attached at the bottom.
- Extremely durable and hard to break.
- Protects against wheels breaking off during movement.
- Does not roll away when parked or on a slope.
- Requires a bit of strength to drag, especially when packed heavily.
Spinner Luggage:
- Offers fast and smooth maneuverability.
- Can rotate in all directions instantly.
- Easy to move without putting pressure on your shoulders and arms.
- Provides effortless navigation throughout your journey.
- Mounted externally on the luggage frame, which sometimes makes them detachable.
- May roll away when parked or on a slope.
Each type has unique features making them suitable for different needs. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize mobility or durability. Spinners are excellent for easy navigation, while rollaboards offer reliable stability. By understanding these features, you can decide which luggage type meets your travel requirements best.
What Should Pilots and Cabin Crew Know About Luggage?
When buying luggage, focus on size, weight, and durability. If you don’t know much about dimensions, then learn how to measure luggage size with us. Additionally, look for features that ensure lifetime usage, exclusive quality, and a strong warranty to make the best investment.
Lightweight Luggage for Pilots
Pilots and flight attendants need the lightest luggage possible. Constantly navigating busy airports, it can be tough to handle heavy bags. Lightweight luggage helps you move quickly through crowds and prevents strain. Packed schedules and frequent travel make ultra-light bags a valuable asset. Lighter bags allow for smoother maneuverability, reducing stress and physical pressure.
This can help you stay alert and avoid potential pain or injury. Whether you’re traveling between multiple destinations or working long hours, using lightweight luggage will make your trips more manageable and less tiring.
But understand, packing light doesn’t mean that you underinvest on luggage. Not up to par quality luggage can suffer from malfunctions, most often zipper breaks, which can be a cause for headaches if you don’t know how to get a zipper back on track.
Lifetime Warranty and Premium Quality
For those traveling extensively, such as pilots and cabin crew, luggage that offers both premium quality and a lifetime warranty is invaluable. Traveling frequently and dealing with the potential for luggage damage makes these features vital. With a lifetime warranty, any manufacturing defects, travel damages, or necessary repairs are covered, ensuring you don’t face inconvenient issues during your busy travel schedules. Investing in high-quality luggage guarantees durability and confidence, allowing you to focus on your journeys without worrying about your gear.
Telescopic Handles for Easy Maneuverability
Telescopic handles are crucial for quickly moving and controlling your luggage. They can be adjusted to different heights, suitable for any user. Whether using rollaboard or spinner luggage, these handles can be pulled out with the press of a button. Additionally, an interlocking system helps lock the wheels to keep your luggage in place when stationary.
As a pilot or flight crew member, you often need to navigate busy airports, different aircraft, and uneven surfaces. A sturdy, adjustable, and retractable handle minimizes physical strain. This design ensures you can move swiftly and efficiently, reducing the pressure on your back and arms.
Expandable Capacity and Storage
Top 8 Ideal Luggage Choices for Pilots and Flight Attendants
Pilots and flight attendants often need luggage with expandable storage and numerous compartments. Luckily there are different types of luggage to choose from. Soft-sided luggage is popular because it offers multiple pockets, front compartments, and vast expandable storage. This luggage is typically lightweight, making it easy to handle. Nonetheless, hard-shell luggage stands out for its durability and expansion features. When choosing between hard or soft luggage, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you’re concerned about whether airlines prefer hard or soft luggage, you don’t need to worry as most airlines don’t concern themselves.
Spinner Luggage:
- Briggs & Riley Expandable Carry-On Suitcase: Known for excellent quality and a prominent warranty.
- Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case: Renowned for its striking design.
- Travelpro Suitcases: Known for being lightweight and offering great features.
- Luggage Works: Popular for its sturdy construction.
- Strong Bags: Preferred for their durability.
- Rimowa: Famous for its high-quality materials.
- Level8: Noted for modern designs.
- Zero Halliburton: Trusted for its robust build quality.
1. Briggs and Riley Baseline Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Large Checked Travel Bag
- Dimensions: 20.0 x 12.0 x 29.0 inches
- Capacity: 122 liters
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Colors: Black, Dark Olive Green, Dark Navy Blue, Dark Plum
Key Features
- Spacious Interior: The bag features a roomy main compartment and a wide front pocket for accessories. Inside, you’ll find mesh zipper pockets to help keep your items organized.
- One-Touch Expansion: With just a press of a button, the bag can expand and compress, making it easy to fit more items.
- Durable Construction: The bag includes strong corner guards to protect against damage during handling.
- Smooth Mobility: Equipped with shock-absorbing, eight-spinner wheels, this bag moves silently and effortlessly.
- Adjustable Handle: A multi-stage telescopic handle makes handling the bag easy, especially when paired with the spinner wheels.
- Lifetime Warranty: Enjoy peace of mind with a lifetime warranty that covers all damage and repairs.
Our Verdict
This soft-shell bag is on the pricier side, yet its quality and durability justify the cost. While it lacks advanced security features like interlocking handles and a TSA lock, its expandable capacity and multiple pockets make it practical. The lifetime warranty adds significant long-term value. Although it comes in limited colors, its premium quality makes it a favorite among flight attendants and pilots. Its straightforward design and long lifespan make it a reliable travel companion for frequent flyers. Being on the lighter side the bag is one of the best luggage for European travel.
Reason to Buy
- Durable Material: The soft shell is both lightweight and long-lasting.
- Ample Storage: Offers massive storage with zipper mesh dividers and a front pocket for extra items.
- Lifetime Warranty: Comprehensive coverage for all defects and repairs.
- Trusted Brand: Known for its extensive capacity and top-notch quality.
Reason to Avoid
- Limited Color Options: Comes in only a few colors.
- Lacks Advanced Security: No TSA combination lock.
- No Modern Features: Missing USB charging capability.
- High Cost: Quite expensive for a piece of luggage
2. Briggs and Riley ZDX Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Checked Medium Travel Bag
- Dimensions: 18.0 x 12.0 x 26.0 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Colors: Black, Hunter Green, Ocean Blue
Key Features
- Extensive, wide compartments with a zipper expansion capacity of 2.5 inches.
- Front compartment for additional packing items.
- Eight durable spinner wheels for smooth transportation.
- Retractable handle for easy handling.
- Lifetime warranty covering defects, damage, and repairs.
- ID tag at the back for personal details.
Our Verdict
The 2 wheel carry on luggages are crafted for both business and leisure travelers. They feature water-resistant material for added protection. While they lack TSA-approved locks and innovative features like USB charging, they offer incredible storage space with mesh divider pockets and an expandable front pocket. The lifetime warranty and high-quality construction make it a reliable choice, although it comes at a premium price.
Reason to Buy
- Made of robust and lightweight materials with a soft exterior.
- Renowned for their durability, making them great for frequent travelers.
- Lifetime warranty ensures all repairs are covered.
Reason to Avoid
- No TSA combination lock for extra security.
- Doesn’t include modern features like USB charging during travel.
- Designs are simple with limited color options.
- Price point is higher compared to similar soft-shell bags.
3. Briggs and Riley Duffle Bag
Product Specifications
- Type: Under-seater Duffle Bag
- Dimensions: 18.0 x 12.0 x 26.0 inches
- Capacity: 25 liters
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Colors: Black, Navy Blue, Olive Green
Key Features
- Extended Capacity: Comes with zippered mesh divider pockets and two outer compartments.
- Organization: Includes extra packing cubes and a compression panel to keep your items orderly.
- Ease of Movement: Equipped with double-spinner wheels for smooth and effortless rolling.
- Convenient Handling: Features a single-level adjustable handle for easy maneuvering.
Our Verdict
This duffle bag stands out for its premium quality and durability, making it a top choice for pilot and flight crew use. It’s well-suited for carrying personal items or fitting under airplane seats. With its extensive storage options and well-organized mesh pockets, it handles all your essentials efficiently. Note that it lacks a TSA-approved lock and other advanced features, which means you’ll need to manually secure it. Also, ensure that your packed bag meets airline size and weight regulations as it can expand beyond typical limits.
Reason to Buy
- Offers excellent expansion with a range of compartments and pockets.
- Fits comfortably in tight spaces or under seats.
- Known for its durability and long-lasting use.
Reason to Avoid
- Does not have a TSA lock for enhanced security.
- Lacks a USB charging port.
- Can be on the pricier side.
- Limited to a few color choices.
4. Travel Pro Maxlite 5 Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Medium Checked Luggage
- Dimensions: 11.0 x 19.0 x 28.0 inches
- Capacity: 100 liters
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Colors: Dark Blue, Black, Dusty Pink, Deep Blue, Orchid Purple, Slate Dark Green, Burgundy, Light Grey, Purple, Light Violet, Dark Grey
Key Features
- It comes with a 2-inch expandable capacity, perfect for additional storage needs.
- Equipped with a zippered mesh divider, it helps keep your items organized.
- The wide exterior compartment provides extra space for quick access items.
- A retractable handle allows for smooth dragging on its durable wheels.
- Available in a range of colors to suit your preference.
Our Verdict
These bags offer great value with their high-quality construction and ample storage space. They’re especially popular among pilots for their organization features like mesh zippered pockets. Keep in mind, they come without a TSA lock, and you’ll need to be cautious about weight limits due to their expandable nature.
Reason to Buy
- Known for durability and quality at a competitive price.
- Lightweight, making it great for frequent travelers.
- Enhanced security with a TSA-approved lock.
Reason to Avoid
- No built-in TSA-approved lock security.
- Limited warranty coverage.
- Lacks innovative features.
5. TravelPro Crew Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Medium Checked Travel Bag
- Dimensions: 11 x 18 x 27 inches
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Colors: Grey
Key Features
- Expandable by two inches, with zippered mesh pockets and a large exterior pocket.
- Enhanced security with a TSA-approved locking system.
- Eight sturdy spinner wheels for smooth maneuverability.
- Multi-stage retractable handle for easy handling.
Our Verdict
This premium soft-shell bag is designed with a water-resistant layer, an expandable capacity of two inches, and has large front compartments with mesh pockets for smart packing. It comes with a TSA lock for added security. Due to its expandability, the bag may become quite heavy. Ensure you check with your airline for size and weight limits before your flight.
Reason to Buy
- Known for durability and quality at a competitive price.
- Lightweight, making it great for frequent travelers.
- Enhanced security with a TSA-approved lock.
Reason to Avoid
- Offers only a limited warranty.
- Lacks a USB charging port.
- No color variety, limited to grey.
6. TravelPro Crew Versapack Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Cabin Bag Under-seater
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Colors: Grey, Black, Plum, Dark Blue
Key Features
- Spacious Design: Equipped with roomy compartments and extra pockets, including a front compartment.
- Compact Size: Easily fits into small spaces, such as under a seat.
- Flexible Carrying Options: Features adjustable straps for carrying.
- Durable Material: Made from high-quality, water and stain-resistant material.
- Warranty: Comes with a lifetime warranty and one-year damage repair warranty for issues caused by transportation and mishandling.
Our Verdict
If you need a reliable cabin bag, this one is made from high-quality, water-resistant materials. The mesh pockets help you organize your items. It’s from a reputable brand, making it a good value for the price. Being an ideal item for short trips, this pick is one that flight attendants shouldn’t miss out. We dub it as the best luggage for flight attendants.
Reason to Buy
- Spacious Layout: Offers ample space with mesh pockets and a front compartment.
- Ideal for Travel: Perfect for personal items when traveling.
- Durable Build: Features long-lasting material.
- Great Value: Provides quality at an affordable price from a trustworthy brand.
Reason to Avoid
- Lacks Innovative Features: Does not have any new or cutting-edge functions.
- Limited Warranty: Warranty for damage repairs is limited.
- No TSA Lock: Does not include TSA lock protection.
7. TravelPro Platinum Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Checked Medium Travel Bag
- Dimensions: 11 x 18 x 25 inches
- Capacity: 97 liters
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Colors: Grey, Black, Red, Navy Blue, Espresso Brown
Key Features
- Large Capacity: Ample space with a two-inch expandable section, mesh pockets, and a large outer compartment.
- Smooth Mobility: Eight-spinner wheels enable easy movement in all directions.
- Retractable Handle: Offers easy control over the luggage.
- Enhanced Security: Equipped with a TSA combination lock for extended protection.
- Variety of Colors: Available in multiple colors.
- Lifetime Warranty: Covers built-in defects; limited warranty covers other repairs.
Our Verdict
This bag is made of a high-quality, water-resistant material and offers expandable storage. The TSA combination lock adds an extra layer of security. It’s especially recommended for flight attendants and frequent travelers. Many travelers prefer Travel Pro over other brands like Samsonite.
Reason to Buy
- Ample Storage: Comes with large compartments and pockets, offering plenty of room for your belongings.
- Easy Maneuverability: The eight-spinner wheels ensure smooth and quick movement.
- Enhanced Security: The TSA lock provides added protection for your items.
- Trusted Brand: Highly recommended by pilots and cabin crew, ensuring reliable performance.
Reason to Avoid
- No USB Charging: Lacks the capability to charge devices on the go.
- Limited Warranty: The warranty does not cover all potential damages.
8. TravelPro Maxlite 5 Roller Bags
Product Specifications
- Type: Compact Under-Seater Travel Bag
- Dimensions: 8 x 14 x 17 inches
- Capacity: 26 liters
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Colors: Black, Light Grey, Burgundy, Rose Pink, Orchid Pink, Dark Blue, Deep Blue, Slate Dark Green, Dark Grey
Key Features
- A water and stain-resistant layered soft-shell exterior.
- Roomy interior with extra pockets and an expansive front compartment.
- Two-wheel trolley design for easy maneuvering.
- Telescopic handle for smooth rolling.
- Lifetime warranty for defects and a one-year warranty for other repairs.
- Available in a variety of vibrant colors.
Our Verdict
This luggage boasts vibrant colors for a standout look, expandable capacity, and multiple pockets. Its durable soft-shell exterior makes it a top choice for flight crews and frequent travelers. It easily fits under seats, making it ideal for tight spaces. The lifetime coverage for defects is a significant advantage.
Reason to Buy
- High-quality, resistant layered surface.
- Suitable for long trips.
- Wide array of colors for a stylish appearance.
- Spacious with multiple pockets and an external compartment for convenience.
Reason to Avoid
- Lacks a USB charging port.
- Missing a TSA combination lock.
- Limited damage and repair warranty.
Frequently Asked Question’s
What are the key features that pilots seek in luggage?
Pilots look for durability and practicality in their luggage. They often prefer bags that are lightweight yet sturdy to withstand frequent travel. Wheels that roll smoothly and strong handles are essential for easy maneuvering. Pilots also look for compartments to keep items organized. Ease of access to frequently used items like documents and electronics is important.
What are the preferred brands among commercial airline crews?
Many commercial airline crews favor well-known and reliable brands. These include Briggs & Riley, Travel Pro, and Luggage Works. These brands are known for their rugged construction and practical features, essential for demanding travel schedules.
What are the popular luggage brands among airline crews?
Briggs & Riley tops the list for many airline staff because of its high quality and innovative features. Luggage Works and Travel Pro are also very popular due to their durability and design that caters specifically to pilots and flight attendants. Rimowa and Zero Halliburton are other brands that offer high quality and durable options.
How do you choose the right luggage size for carry-on?
Pilots typically select carry-on luggage that meets airline size restrictions, making it easier to avoid checked baggage fees. They aim for compact, cabin-friendly sizes that allow them to keep essential items close at hand. Generally, a 20-22 inch suitcase fits most airline carry-on requirements and is spacious enough for short trips.
What are the preferred titles for flight attendants?
Flight attendants generally prefer to be addressed by their professional titles such as “Flight Attendant” or simply “Attendant.” Using these terms shows respect for their role. On casual occasions, they might not mind being called by their first name once a rapport is established.
