An excellent flight bag is a piloting essential. Whether you’re an experienced pilot with thousands of hours under your belt or boarding your first training flight, this article will assist you in identifying the best flight bag to suit your needs.

We’ve unpacked some of the top options available, with something for every price range. Firstly, let’s discuss what to look for in a flight bag before reviewing the top picks.

Let’s look at the following flight bags to determine which is best suited to you.

Best Flight Bags for Pilots

1. Flight Outfitters Lift Flight Bag

PROS

• Thoughtfully designed pockets
• Compact and secure to hold essential items
• Reputable brand
• Durable

CONS

• Difficult to clean
• Small
• Less versatile pockets

The unique Flight Outfitters Lift Flight Bag is designed by a fellow pilot, offering sturdiness and convince. The bag is made from high-strength materials with reinforced sides and braided wire steel-reinforced carry handles.

The bag provides several thoughtful compartments, such as an easy-access pocket to store your water bottle or backup radio, two external chart pockets, and a fuel tester pocket.

Additionally, it has a fleece-lined and padded headset pocket assuring your headset won’t budge. The fleece-lined inner is orange, making it easy to spot your items in the dark. The bag’s exterior is black, offering two options for colored accents.

The bag can be carried with one hand and has adjustable shoulder straps for your comfort. This compact bag won’t get in your way with 12″ x10.5″ x9″ dimensions.

Furthermore, Flight Outfitters, the bag manufacturer, is reputable for its high-end products in the aviation industry. Unfortunately, the bag may be too small for some, and the pockets are designed for specific items causing the bag to be less versatile than others.

2. ASA AirClassics Fight Bag

PROS

• Well-priced (ideal for student pilots)
• Professional style
• Adjustable dividers
• Durable
• Several pockets

CONS

• Lack of color options
• Small side pockets for headset storage

Look to the AirClassics Flight Bag if you need an economical flight bag. Due to its low cost, it is among the finest choices for a student pilot.

The flight bags from ASA are among the most practical pilot bags on the market and are refined enough to be worn from the plane to the boardroom.

The ASA wings logo is beautifully embroidered in silver on top of each black bag. Unfortunately, these bags are only available in one color.

These 600D polyester bags are developed to withstand harsh treatment. The bag is strengthened by additional straps that wrap around it, and its semi-rigid bottom guarantees that it will last for many years.

The bag has roomy sections that accommodate numerous books, while electronics fit comfortably in the external compartment. Additionally, you can put smaller items, like flashlights or gasoline tests, in the front pocket. A unique feature is the ID window on the side of the bag. The movable dividers inside the main pocket of this flight bag are another distinctive feature. The flight bag has two ways to carry it: a removable strap and practical handles.

3. Lightspeed Aviation Gann Flight Bag

PROS

• Stylish
• Good size
• Several pockets and compartments
• Adjustable dividers
• Easy to carry

CONS

• Expensive
• Less durable material

Despite not recommending leather, I could not leave the Gann flight bag off this list.

Charmingly, the long flights and magnificent novels of the pilot and author Ernest K. Gann inspired this bag.

The Gann is a supple, handmade leather flight bag with solid stitching, magnetic button clasps, and a PVC base. It is hugely cabin friendly with the pop-open top of a carpenter-style bag. This luxurious bag also offers several compartments, pockets, and an adjustable interior.

An outstanding feature is a middle zipper that unzips to reveal a sizable compartment that is big enough for headsets, charts, and all your other gear. A transceiver pocket with a cut-out flap allows antenna-on storage, and a front organizer pocket is included for smaller items.

It must be mentioned that leather is less durable than other materials. This bag does not have special care requirements, as the natural oils in the leather will permit the bag to age to a rich patina.

4. Rothco Vintage Canvas Flight Bag

PROS

• Durable
• Good size
• Three main compartments
• Versatile pockets

CONS

• Narrow shoulder straps
• Difficult to clean

Take off with the retro-inspired flight bag from Rothco in one of three colors.

The flight bag’s 14 oz cotton canvas construction ensures dependability but may be difficult to clean.

The flight bag has several sections to keep your items separated and easy to find. Depending on your needs, you can utilize the pockets which include: a substantial zippered main compartment, a front pocket with engraved text, and two small side pockets with loop and hook closures.

The flight bag is somewhat comfortable to carry due to padded and adjustable shoulder straps, although some may find that they are too narrow. Additionally, if you want to carry the bag in your hands, it has a top carrying handle.

5. Aerocoast Pro Crew Flight Case

PROS

• Water-resistant
• Reasonably priced
• Laptop sleeve
• Versatile pockets

CONS

• No specific compartments for pilot gear
• Unspecified material
• Somewhat bulky

Aerocoast’s Pro Crew bag is a popular pick. It is an excellent bag at a reasonable price.

An exclusive feature of the Pro Crew is an interlocking ergonomic grasp grip. It

also has a padded shoulder strap to ensure comfort no matter how you carry the bag.

A 15″ laptop can fit in the padded laptop compartment, which includes a large main compartment and numerous internal pockets. Additional exterior pockets, such as the upper accessories compartment, are ideal for keeping smaller items within easy reach.

The two front compartments, one of which has an organizer panel, are very roomy. Additionally, there are two smaller side compartments, a large slip pocket, and a luggage strap.

This is undoubtedly one of the best solutions if you’re searching for a bag that will help you stay organized and keep all your belongings readily available.  

It has a water-resistant exterior, which is most likely made of nylon or polyester, although it isn’t specified. Unfortunately, there aren’t really any designated compartments in the bag for transceivers, headsets, fuel tests, or lamps.

6. Alpine Swiss Rolling 17″ Laptop Briefcase

PROS

• Locks
• Large main component
• Professional look
• Durable material

CONS

• No durable wheels
• No shoulder straps

The Alpine Swiss Rolling Laptop Briefcase is a fantastic choice for a professional pilot because of its formal look.

It looks more like a briefcase than a bag or suitcase because of its horizontal shape.

This pilot briefcase is a stylish, practical, and well-made choice for a business-traveling bag.

The flight bag is highly robust because it is made of ballistic nylon, which doesn’t scuff or wear. Additionally, nylon travel bags are light.

The laptop briefcase features a telescopic rolling handle with three configurations for easy maneuvering. Furthermore, you can carry the suitcase using the top handle.

Although the briefcase is simple to move because of the smooth inline skate wheels, these are vulnerable to damage. It features combination locks that can be set to different codes and includes an expandable lockable front compartment.

The inside flap consists of a straightforward organizer for cards and pens and a sizable, zippered compartment for other necessities. A spacious interior compartment has a sizable laptop sleeve. Along the opposite interior wall from the laptop sleeve is another file separator.

7. Laptop Briefcase Brightline Bags Flex B7 Flight Echo Bag

PROS

• Customizable size
• Versatility in use
• High quality
• Color-coded compartments

CONS

• Heavy
• Difficult to move
• Expensive

If you are looking for versatility, the Flex B7 Flight Echo bag is the one for you.

This customizable bag allows you to attach or remove compartments as you desire, giving you both a large and small bag.

This bag boasts a high-quality and intelligent design. However, this two-in-one option is on the pricey side.

The bag consists of various small and large compartments that are color-coded. Two complete headsets, a water bottle, two iPads, and other small items can all fit comfortably.

This flight bag allows you to access your water bottle without the risk of damaging your documents or electronics. It also functions as an unbeatable carry-on personal bag when traveling on commercial flights or as a fantastic daily bag for various personal and professional uses. Although, some may find it too heavy and difficult to maneuver.

8. Flight Gear HP Crosswind Flight Bag

PROS

• Affordable
• 3-year warranty
• Ideal for student pilots

CONS

• Lack of external pockets
• No shoulder straps

The HP Crosswind flight bag is ideal for student pilots who are strapped for cash.

The bag is made from Ripstop nylon, which is solid and water-resistant. The bag will prove to be durable against daily use. At an affordable price, you even get a 3-year warranty.

There is more than enough space in the bag’s main compartment for a kneeboard and your books. Inside, a padded iPad compartment will keep your gadgets secure and handy. Flight Gear’s Gear Mods can expand the main compartment’s pockets. You attach detachable compartments inside the bag.

All the flight bags from this company are compatible with them, so if you decide to continue with Flight Gear when it comes time to upgrade the bag, you can use the Gear Mods. The bag has several outside pockets that let you keep the essential items close at hand. In addition to a sizable, zipped compartment for a headset, there are exterior slip pockets for sunglasses, fuel gauges, and water bottles.

The HP Crosswind bag is unquestionably not as ornate or functional as other flight bags. However, this is designed for novice pilots who do not carry all the gear experienced pilots do. It is the best flight bag available in its price range.

What Should You Look For in a Flight Bag?

Consider Durability

You will use your flight bag on a regular basis. Therefore, you should opt for a bag constructed of high-quality materials.

The best flight bags are often made of heavy-duty nylon or canvas, though there are some respectable polyester versions as well. Although popular, leather has a trade-off since it is naturally less structured and fortified than other materials whilst being pricey.

Unfortunately, in the case of flight bags, the more expensive options do offer much higher quality. If you opt for a cheaper option, you may be replacing your bag regularly. Therefore, consider investing in a quality flight bag that will stand the test of time.

Determine How Many Compartments You Need

One of the more crucial factors to assess when purchasing a flight bag is how many compartments you need. Multiple storage options are beneficial since they keep you organized, which makes finding items during your flight quick and easy.

However, they reduce the bag’s overall capacity as well. Perhaps compile a list of all the items you need to fit in your flight bag before making your selection.

Consider Size

Given that your flight bag will be placed right next to you in the cockpit, its size is obviously crucial. Purchasing a bag that is too large will prevent you from keeping it next to you. Yet, you won’t be able to fit everything into a bag that is too small. Therefore, be sure to check the dimensions before purchasing your flight bag. Both larger and smaller flight bags are included in the list below.

Conclusion

As you may have realized, there are various flight bags on the market for every kind of aviator. Your flight bag shouldn’t only be stylish but also functional and durable as it’s a long-term investment. Who doesn’t like looking cool while being practical?