Where To Buy the Suitcases Pilots Use

Luggage mishaps — broken wheels, bent handles, busted zippers — are all too common in airport terminals. But while ordinary travelers wrestle with worn-out bags, pilots and flight crews seem to glide through airports with ease. Their secret? Durable, no-nonsense luggage designed to survive the rigors of frequent air travel. While they often come at a higher price tag, they’re built to last — and yes, you can buy them, too.

Travelpro Luggage

In 1987, pilot Robert Plath invented the first upright, wheeled luggage with a telescoping handle to make travel easier for pilots and flight crews, forever changing the luggage game. Today, Travelpro, the company he founded, offers over a dozen variations of the original Rollaboard, including backpacks, garment bags, and the classic wheeled carry-on.

Travelpro, renowned for its durability and timeless design, is trusted by crews from over 90 airlines around the world, according to the company’s website. Many pilots favor the FlightCrew Professional Collection, but it’s not just for crew — it’s a favorite among avid travelers, too. All Travelpro luggage features the brand’s patented Precision Glide system, with 360-degree magnetic spinner wheels and an airline-grade aluminum handle for smooth maneuverability.

LuggageWorks

Instead of bold colors or trendy designs, the luggage favored by flight crews tends to focus on function and durability, with useful compartments, expansion options, and sturdy handles. That’s certainly true of LuggageWorks, a crew luggage staple since 1989.

You’ll often see airline pilots carrying luggage from the brand’s Stealth Series. With strong aluminum frames, stainless steel handles, and ballistic nylon fabric shells, bags in this line are designed to last for over a decade. LuggageWorks also offers other collections, such as the sleek Aurora Series and the ultra-lightweight Carbon Series, plus custom monogramming, three-year warranties, and an in-house repair department.

Briggs & Riley

Briggs & Riley is known for its thoughtful designs and modern features. One standout is the brand’s CX expansion feature, a luggage compression system designed for fitting carry-on luggage into tight overhead bins. Another signature feature is the “outsider handle,” mounted on the exterior of the bag to create a flat interior packing space with no bumps or bars.

The brand’s Aircrew Essentials line is designed with flight crews in mind, but is also available to everyday travelers. The line offers a range of carry-on expandable spinners, including the popular Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner, which fits the carry-on size requirements for most U.S. airlines. Backed by a lifetime guarantee that covers repairs or replacements, Briggs & Riley is often a top choice for flight crews for both design and durability. 

Brightline Bags

BrightLine Bags is another go-to choice among pilots and flight crews seeking a customizable carry-on bag. The brand’s FLEX System is a modular design that lets users build their own bag by attaching or detaching zippered compartments based on the needs of each trip. It’s essentially multiple bags in one.

The B18 HANGAR Modular Gear Bag was originally designed as an overnight flight bag for aviators. This set can be configured into eight different bag combinations using the included modules, with even more options available by adding extra components. With special modules for cameras, drones, and other travel equipment, BrightLine’s modular system offers impressive versatility for carry-on bags. 

StrongBags

Southwest Airlines pilot Ethan Fisher created StrongBags when he kept finding that his travel gear wasn’t up to his rigorous travel schedule. Customers are encouraged to take StrongBags on the road to see if they meet their needs with the company’s 30-day risk-free guarantee. While the brand offers exclusive discounts to airline employees, its gear is available to all travelers.

StrongBags roller luggage is available in multiple sizes, ranging from compact 20-inch carry-ons to spacious 25-inch checked bags. The popular Vortex Voyager 22 Flight Crew Roller Luggage is built to withstand even the most demanding flight schedules. Its exterior fabric is made from Cordura Ballistic Nylon, initially developed for military body armor. Other key features include smooth-gliding wheels, stainless steel zippers, and optional custom embroidery. The brand’s carry-on cooler bags — designed to stay cold for up to 48 hours — are also popular with pilots and flight crew.

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