I Always See Pilots Use This Suitcase, and the Reason Why Is So Brilliant (I Had to Buy One!)

As a travel writer, I’ve traveled to over 90 countries, explored the United States from coast to coast, and I fly about twice a month. I like to think I have my packing essentials down pat, but at some point I started noticing pilots and crew members all using the same distinctive, distinguished-looking suitcase — and it wasn’t any of the several luggage brands I’d tried. 

So I stopped a pilot to ask about his suitcase, and he told me it was Briggs & Riley. I was surprised to hear it was a brand I had never heard of, and I knew I had to do a deep dive into what makes these suitcases so popular with people who travel for a living. 

Briggs & Riley is known for high-end, stylish, durable luggage with a warranty that’s nearly unmatched: a lifetime guarantee, which covers the cost of repairs or replacement (although doesn’t include cosmetic fixes or replacing lost bags). Briggs & Riley was founded over 30 years ago, and by now some customers have been using their Briggs & Riley suitcases for decades, as this Reddit thread shows. However, in product reviews many happy customers note that their Briggs & Riley suitcases hold up so well that they haven’t needed to use the warranty.

They also sell a variety of coordinating travel accessories, including packing cubes and thoughtfully designed toiletry bags, backpacks, weekender bags, garment bags, and tote bags. All of the features that make Briggs & Riley suitcases so popular come at a cost — most of their rolling luggage ranges from $500 to $900. Despite the higher price tag, the brand has a loyal following of customers who swear by the durability, quality, and functionality. 

The question of whether Briggs & Riley suitcases are worth the price depends on how much you travel and how you use your luggage. The Baseline Expandable 22” Carry-On Spinner I bought after speaking with the pilot at the airport costs more than double what I paid for the similarly sized expandable Away Carry-On Flex I usually use when I travel. However, after using a Briggs & Riley carry-on, I can see why so many travelers and pilots are die-hard fans. It has thoughtful features (more on that later), glides easily, and looks smart. 

After taking a Briggs & Riley suitcase on a few trips, my takeaway is that these suitcases are worth the investment — for some travelers. Frequent flyers, anyone who is hard on suitcases, and those who want sophisticated-looking luggage with all the bells and whistles should take a serious look at Briggs & Riley. For these travelers, a Briggs & Riley suitcase could be a great investment, and may cost less in the long run, as it’s less likely you will need to replace your suitcase regularly (if at all). 

However, it’s probably not worth shelling out for a Briggs & Riley suitcase if you only travel occasionally. Those who want a Briggs & Riley suitcase but can’t justify the price may be able to find a deal through Costco. 

Although Briggs & Riley makes several great suitcases, the pilot I spoke to uses the Baseline Essential 22” Carry-On Expandable Spinner, which is the same one I purchased. It costs $729 and comes in five colors: black, navy, olive, plum, and steel gray. The suitcase is made from ballistic nylon fabric that resists showing signs of wear and tear, and it’s a standard domestic carry-on size of 22 x 14 x 9 inches (but can expand to 11.5 inches). 

One of the most innovative features of the Baseline Essential Carry-On is that the telescopic handle hardware is on the outside, a feature that the pilot I talked to pointed out. On most suitcases, the bars that hold the handle in place are inside, which creates a smaller, uneven packing surface. It may sound like a minor inconvenience, and it is, but this small difference means more interior packing space and a flatter packing surface, which can help prevent wrinkles.

Another helpful detail is that you can pack the suitcase while it’s expanded, then collapse it before closing to compress the contents and return the suitcase to a standard carry-on size. Unlike other suitcases I’ve used where the compression relies on an exterior zipper (and a piece of fabric that makes the bag bigger, but often feels flimsy), the Briggs & Riley expansion system uses a “one-click” mechanism that clicks to expand or contract the bag, which feels sturdier (and easier).

Among other features, the suitcase also has a big exterior pocket on the front, a built-in tri-fold garment bag, and other exterior pockets perfectly sized for a passport and cell phone. My Briggs & Riley suitcase also glides so easily, even over uneven sidewalks, which makes it easy to navigate through the airport. 

Although I love my Away carry-on, after trying the Essential 22” Carry-On for myself I can see why so many pilots love it. Some pilots have even left reviews of this suitcase on the Briggs & Riley website. “This is quite the bag. I use this thing every week for work as a pilot, and it makes life convenient. Well-designed handle that’s easy to use and sturdy zippers,” reads one. 

“The quality is superb, with thick fabric and great handling,” says another. “I’ve been a pilot for over 30 years and have owned several suitcases, this is my favorite! It’s very light, it’s expandable and easy to roll,” another review reads. 

Other frequent travelers swear by Briggs & Riley bags as well. Kelly Hayes-Raitt, author of How to Become a Housesitter: Insider Tips from the HouseSit Diva, traveled with a Briggs & Riley duffle bag full-time for 15 years as an international housesitter. Her Briggs & Riley bag accompanied her to three continents and 36 countries. Hayes-Raitt has now owned her suitcase for 17 years, and it’s still going strong. She says she loves that “there’s no internal hardware to add to the bag’s weight or reduce space.” Plus, “The canvas material is incredibly sturdy and the retractable handle seems unbreakable,” she says. “I think it’ll keep going for another 36 countries.”

Buy: Briggs & Riley Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner, $729