What’s crew baggage?

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Crew baggage is an umbrella term describing the suitcases and rolling bags used by airline professionals, especially pilots and flight attendants. More often than not, crew baggage is released by an airline to its employees. Bags are small and are usually designed to fit well within airline carry-on size restrictions. Crew luggage is also typically very durable and is designed to withstand years of near-constant use.

Almost every airline in the world has strict restrictions on what types of baggage can and cannot be taken on board an aircraft. This is a factor of both cabin size and overall aircraft weight, and restrictions apply to customers and staff. Many airlines simplify baggage restriction rules for their employees by providing specialized crew bags.

Allocated crew baggage also helps the airline present a streamlined look. Flight attendants and pilots wear uniforms in most cases. Carrying matching luggage completes the look and lends a polished, professional appearance.
Pilot baggage and flight attendant baggage usually come in multiple pieces and are often distributed as baggage sets. All components are designed to be carried on board aircraft, and many are able to snap together for easier mobility. Flight crews are often on the go and as a result their bags need to be easy to maneuver from one location to another.

For this reason, the vast majority of crew bags are wheeled bags, meaning bags with wheels attached and expandable handles to allow crew to efficiently transport them to their next destination. Most bags come with wheels that roll not only back and forth, but also side to side, to make quick movement even easier.

Airline crews are often grounded for just one night, or sometimes just a few hours at a time. The insides of their bags usually need to be well organized, enabling them to find the things they need quickly. Bags designed for use on airplanes often feature internal compartments, making using crew luggage a breeze.

The external structure is also particularly resistant. Long journeys can be tough on luggage. Constant movement, storage in overhead bins and under seats, and repeated packing and unpacking can weaken the integrity of many bags. Crew luggage is usually reinforced with both internal supports and stronger external material.
Many travelers, especially those who fly frequently, want the benefits of this baggage even if they are not airline personnel. Few airlines will actually sell the bags they provide to their employees. Many commercial suitcase manufacturers sell crew-inspired products that meet many of the same standards for size, efficiency, and durability.

These types of products are often marketed as professional suitcases. They are usually made from the same or similar outer material as crew luggage and usually have a similar appearance as well. The commercial purchase of crew baggage often offers many more options than are available to airline employees, especially when it comes to checked baggage. The cost is usually higher, but the super-strong, reinforced bags do better in the rough and tumble world of air travel than most cheaper options.

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