I admit it: One of the best things about jet charters is that you and your luggage are treated with equal respect. From the crew hand-stowing your bag on board—no tossing from 50 feet away—to the careful removal and placement at your car on arrival, your luggage travels first class.
It’s your call on hard-side or soft, but you won’t have to worry about the airline saying your bag is (check one): too big, too heavy or too expensive. Several of the following recommended bags are great options for your travel luggage, with some available as sets with matching carry-ons—so you look good coming and going.
Mark & Graham Terminal 1
11.9 pounds, $369 (31-inch)
As part of Williams Sonoma, this company appreciates quality, and its Terminal 1 luggage is my personal favorite. Also available as a carry-on, the Terminal 1 stands out for its luxurious leather detailing, TSA-approved locks, polycarbonate toughness and oversized wheels. An expandable zipper is optional and every Terminal 1 comes with a lifetime warranty. If you (or an airline) break it, they’ll replace it.
Lands’ End Travel Checked Rolling Luggage Bag
11.1 pounds, $239 (28-inch)
As a sailor, I’ve long been a Lands’ End fan and still carry a decades-old canvas briefcase that is as indestructible as this nylon four-wheeled roller. Water-repellent with two cushioned grab handles and a retractable handle, the twin polyester-lined compartments with tie-down straps help you stay organized.
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior
8 pounds, $489 (30-inch)
The name “Gear Warrior” says it all. Available in carry-on and checked sizes up to 30 inches, this rolling bag is water-resistant with multiple grab handles and all-terrain wheels to get you over cobblestones and stairs. A zippered expansion panel lets you bring home goodies from your trip, while inside, organizational pockets and straps keep your clothes in place.
Carry-On in Baldwin Oak (Courtesy of Moore & Giles)
Moore & Giles Parker Carry-On
11.5 pounds, $1,995 (22-inch)
Finely crafting leather since 1933, Moore & Giles’ signature piece is the Parker, borrowing design elements from classic steamer trunks. With four full-swivel wheels, an oversized exterior pocket plus a ticket pocket and zippered internal partitions for optimal organization, it comes in Baldwin Oak leather that exudes understated elegance.
Check out these Must-Attend Tampa Bay Boating Events. Or if you’d like to advertise with us, click here.
