Baggage Check: A Look at the Latest and Greatest Luggage Innovations

It’s been 24 years since Robert Plath, a Northwest Airlines 747 pilot and founder of Travelpro, slapped a set of wheels and an extension handle on a suitcase and changed travel forever. Rolling luggage satisfied a need travelers didn’t know they had. Few inventions have changed the travel landscape like Plath’s Original Rollaboard®. However, today’s manufacturers continue to turn the heads of luggage shoppers with smart and useful innovations.
Checkpoint-friendly briefcase
Checkpoint-Friendly Designs
In the wake of /11 security, checkpoint-friendly luggage designs allow travelers to keep their laptops (and tablets, like the iPad) in their bags while going through security checkpoints. These checkpoint-friendly bags have either a separate fold-down section or a standalone protective sleeve that is easily inspected. With all of these designs, moving through security is now a breeze. Checkpoint-friendly designs can be found in business cases and backpacks.
Lighter Everything without Sacrificing Durability
Figuring out how to lighten lightweight bags and maintain durability is what keeps luggage engineers very busy today. With airlines lowering weight allowances, super lightweight bags allow travelers to pack more without incurring penalties. So lighter bags can save you money, but they most hold up over the long run. The key components that’ll lighten the load in your bag: honeycomb framing, durable EVA foam for stiffness and sleek contours, telescoping aluminum handles and nylon fabric.
Business Organizers
Easy access to business stuff inside the bag has become an essential feature for business travelers on the go. Pens, business cards, keys, CDs, computer accessories, folder and books pouches, a laptop and iPad can be stashed for easy storage and retrieval in today’s typical business organizer. Interior accessory pockets can be used for bulky electronic gear and assorted cables as well. The most popular bags featuring business organizers are backpacks, smaller uprights or carry-ons, business cases and totes.
Duffels with Drop-Bottoms and Zippered End-Compartments
Drop-bottom designs have added a whole new dimension to packing a duffel. Using a zippered divider, this innovative feature allows you to pack in smaller compartments, thus preventing clothes from bunching and wrinkling. Many duffels also add small zipped compartments at the ends of the bag for shoes, cables and last-minute items. Again, this feature prevents your things from moving around in a big duffel.
Widebody 20-inch Carry-On
Shorter and wider than traditional carry-ons, the 20-inch Widebody bag is roomy yet still fits easily into overhead bins. They give you the added capacity of a 22-inch bag while still falling into the carry-on category. Because of its slim width, the 4-wheeled Widebody Spinner bag can be easily pushed forward up an aisle, without catching on seats or passenger elbows.
Lightweight, durable and innovative luggage is the hallmark of Travelpro, founded by pilot Robert Plath. Today flight crews and pilots of over 80 airlines use Travelpro products. Visit to view Travelpro’s many collections.
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