Baggage Check: A Look at the Latest and Greatest Luggage Innovations
October 11, 2011 by Scott Applebee · 4 Comments
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 post-9/11 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 www.travelpro.com to view Travelpro’s many collections.
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Finding The Best Luggage
August 25, 2010 by Scott Applebee · 2 Comments
With the wide range of premium quality luggage available, do you wonder which bag is right for you? It all comes down to your preferences, which are usually based on how often you travel, the type of trips you take and your budget. The first step is to review the styles available.
Roll-Aboards: With models available throughout Travelpro’s collections, rollaboards range from carry-on to larger check-in sizes. Carry-on size bags will fit in the aircraft’s overhead bin and help eliminate the cost of checking your bags at departure, and the headache of retrieving them upon arrival. In the U.S. a carry-on bag must measure no more than 45 linear inches (the sum of the bag’s length, width and height). Larger size bags are great for long/extended trips.
Travelpro’s innovation that revolutionized travel worldwide, wheeled upright luggage allows you to pack for a week without having to carry the weight on your shoulders. Today’s rollaboards, or rolling uprights, feature inline skate wheels and a telescoping handle.
Business & Laptop Cases: If you’re a business traveler, you’ll appreciate the fact that Travelpro’s line of nylon business and laptop cases are lighter and more durable than leather cases. They store and protect laptops, private documents and other business materials.
All Travelpro cases meet carry on size restrictions and many are available in rolling models. Many new cases are also “Checkpoint Friendly,” eliminating the need to remove the laptop from the case as it’s scanned at airport security.
Totes: Smaller bags which are ideal for outings and overnight trips, also make an excellent companion piece for longer trips. Travelpro Totes are available in several styles, some with shoulder straps and some in rolling models.
Duffels: These durable, soft-sided bags provide both capacity and convenience on long trips. They are available in rolling or non-rolling styles and in carry-on or check-through sizes.
Garment Bags: Considered portable closets, Travelpro garment bags are popular with travelers who want to keep their suits, dresses, and other clothing wrinkle-free. Garment bags are available in both rolling and non-rolling versions, and in carry-on and check-through sizes.
Whatever your travel plans, whatever your luggage needs, Travelpro has the bag to suit you. You can check out our website, or use Travelpro’s Retailer Locator to find a retailer near you.
Which Travelpro® Bag Is Right For You?
August 3, 2010 by Scott Applebee · 2 Comments
Which Travelpro® bag is right for you? With our ever-expanding range of premium quality luggage, it’s not an easy question. Maybe a review of Travelpro’s product line will help you decide.
Totes: Smaller bags that are ideal for outings and overnight trips, and also make an excellent companion piece for longer trips. Travelpro Totes are available in countless styles, some with shoulder straps and some with extendable handles with wheels.
Uprights: Travelpro’s innovation that revolutionized travel worldwide: wheeled Rollaboard® luggage allows you to pack for a week without having to carry the weight of your packed bag. Today’s rollaboards or rolling uprights feature high quality, sealed ball bearing wheels and a telescoping handle with multiple stops to accommodate users of different heights.
Many styles expand by as much as 35% for additional packing space. Constructed with lightweight yet durable frames and fabrics, these upright bags enable travelers to pack more while staying under airline weight restrictions.
Carry-Ons: With models available throughout Travelpro’s entire line, “carry-on” bags are small enough to fit in the aircraft’s overhead bin or underneath your seat. The largest that can be taken on a U.S. domestic flight is the 22” carry-on bag, measuring a maximum of 45 linear inches (the sum of the bag’s length, width and height). On most international flights, the carry-on length limit is usually 20 inches. Travelpro has wide variety of sizes available for every type of traveler.
Duffels: These durable, soft-sided bags provide both capacity and convenience on long trips . They are available in carry-on or check-through sizes, with or without wheels and extension handles.
Garment Bags: Considered portable closets, Travelpro garment bags are popular with savvy travelers who want to keep their suits, dresses, and other clothing wrinkle-free. Garment bags are available in both rollable and non-rolling versions, and in carry-on and check-through sizes.
Business & Laptop Cases: Successful business people appreciate the fact that Travelpro’s line of ballistic nylon business and laptop cases are lighter and more durable than leather cases. You can keep your most private documents and laptop computer protected – and do it with a sense of style. All are available with wide, comfortable shoulder straps or extendable handles with wheels. Many new cases are also “Checkpoint Friendly,” eliminating the need to remove the laptop from the case is it’s scanned at airport security.
So, which Travelpro bag is right for you? The choice is yours.
