Flight bags for every budget
A well-designed bag makes your flying more enjoyable
While the structured, padded compartments of traditional flight bags help keep headsets and chargers tidy, they also add bulk and weight. The soft canvas sides of the Flight Outfitters Sandbar Tote squeeze easily into tight spaces of general aviation baggage compartments—or expand to carry a seemingly limitless haul of supplies. With an interior accessory organizer and a padded interior pocket for an iPad, the tote has enough compartments to keep small items organized and swallows the rest in a large main compartment. The tote measures 17 inches high, 21 inches wide at the top, and 15 inches wide at the bottom. For one family trip I packed three headsets, a bulky iPad kneeboard, one large water bottle, and the contents of a mid-size purse and had room to spare. Mary Poppins would be proud. —Sarah Deener
Flight Outfitters AOPA Sandbar Tote $64.95
Everything has its place in the 14-pocket Flight Outfitters Duffel Bag. The 23-inch-by-12-inch-by-13-inch duffel fits enough clothes for an overnight trip, with pockets inside of pockets inside of pockets to store essentials for flight. An internal padded tablet pocket protects an iPad from careless ground handling, and an organizing panel within one side pocket includes a key clip and space for pens, cards, and other small items. Flight Outfitters offers free shipping to U.S. and Canada and free custom embroidery for AOPA members. —SD
Flight Outfitters AOPA Crew Duffel Bag $99.95
MyGoFlight bags are designed by pilots for pilots and undergo rigorous testing and analysis at the company think tank in Denver. The new PLC Commuter is the latest addition to MyGoFlight’s line of flight bags. Made from rugged ballistic nylon, this bag is the ultimate grab-and-go bag built to securely hold flight essentials such as headset, laptop, or iPad and there’s a side pocket for a water bottle. At 11 inches tall by 14 inches wide, this is an easy carry-on for the airlines or for helicopter pilots to stow under the seat. There’s an optional crossover strap if needed. Mesh pockets allow you to see your items inside. —Julie Summers Walker
Flight Bag PLC Commuter $99
MyGoFlight bags are unabashedly high-end. This is by design. Company president Dominic Martinez says his bags are made with care for those who are ready for—and demand—the best. He carries one on all his flights and says people always stop and compliment him on his stylish and efficient baggage. The company’s small group of designers and marketers analyze each detail of their bags and look for customer input to continually improve their products. The company’s best-selling bag is the Flight Bag PLC Pro 2024 edition, a backpack design made of rugged ballistic nylon, which is surprisingly lightweight. It has a soft leather handle, exterior pocket for fast retrieval of your wallet or passport, a side pocket for a water bottle, three padded compartments for your headset, iPad, or tablet, and is water-resistant. —JSW
Flight Bag PLC Pro 2024 Edition $299
The ASA Crew trip sets itself apart by its attention to detail. Carried briefcase style, the strap is adjustable and removable, with magnetic handles that click together for a clean and luxurious feel. Meant to be carried on a suitcase, that magnetized passthrough on the side stays out of the way when not in use. A large inner pocket holds everything you might need, including a dedicated electronics pouch. The front pocket has smaller sections perfect for keys, pens, and notepads. And grips put at the bottom keeps the bag from sliding around. At 14-inch-by-11.5-inch-by-7.-inch it stows neatly under airline seats, or the cockpit, making it the perfect companion for a safe, organized flight. —Capucine Cordina
ASA Crew Trip $199.95
The ASA Crew pack takes the decision making out of flight bag organization. At 13-inch-by-19-inch-by-7-inch, the large inner pocket is perfect for carrying clothes, and outer pockets lining each side make finding all of your essentials a breeze. The dedicated headset pocket on the side prevents you from having to dig through your belongings. A spacious yet compact front pocket is perfect for carrying your EFB, kneeboard, and charts, and several small pockets are located around the bag . The only decision to make here is how to carry it, as this boasts three handles for ultimate comfort, including hidden backpack straps for when you need both hands free. Delaying your flight to look for your keys or iPad becomes a thing of the past with this high-class bag. —CC
ASA Crew Pack $299.95
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