They say there are only two kinds of checked luggage: carry on and lost. But that’s not true. The third kind is damaged. The two most common airline complaints with photos on social media are passengers being required to gate check carry on bags when their plane’s overhead bins are actually empty, and scuffed or damaged checked bags.
Bags aren’t handled gingerly. They’re tossed around by baggage handlers, and they get damaged inside the airport’s luggage handling system that moves bags from the check-in counter out to the ramp, and from planes inside to baggage claim.
Luggage isn’t ever going to remain pristine. The purpose of a bag is to protect its contents. So it’s striking what happened to the contents of an American Airline passenger’s bag – when their bag apparently got run over by a baggage truck:
The passenger had been forced to gate check their bag. At baggage claim they found that the bag had been destroyed – along with its contents – and all of the clothing inside was “filthy.” The passenger reported, “they gave me a new carry-on, but like… what the heck was i supposed to put in it??”
A maintenance worker for another airline shared in response to the photos,
One night, raining heavily – with that stupid asphalt/concrete mix that seems to turn into a black hole yet make every light super glaring into my eyes – just driving as usual with a colleague to one of our overnight aircraft in our work truck. I swear there’s a wierd [sic] noise coming out of the front end.
“Nah it’s just piece of s*** work truck” my colleague says.
I go about another hundred feet and I stop the truck. It’s something wierd. Sure enough – standard black generic bag like every other piece of luggage is wedged basically under the front of the truck.
…I collect the bag and go and sheepishly drop it off at baggage services. There’s enough of a tag remaining to identify its owner. These black bags impossible to see on these rainy nights. Just an accident. Falls off a cart. Gets collected in another vehicle.
It’s more common than you’d think. A Delta passenger reported something similar this week, too:
When I picked up a ripped apart checked bag from Alaska Airlines in Seattle once, they told me I could either (1) take a new (cheap) carry on from the baggage office, or (2) file a claim to have my bag replaced. Since I was in the middle of a trip and needed a bag for everything that was inside, and didn’t have time to go shopping, I opted to take them up on the new bag. They didn’t make me sign any sort of waiver in exchange for the bag, so I pursued a claim anyway. Fortunately my bag’s contents were fine.
Here at Good Housekeeping, our team of shopping editors have been covering all the best Labor Day sales on furniture, mattresses and more throughout the month of August. In all that deal-hunting, this might be the most exciting (and biggest) event yet: Direct-to-consumer luggage brand Away is hosting its first-ever Labor Day sale with discounts as much as 35% off.
Thanks to its near-perfect marriage of form and function, Away has been ranked among the best luggage brands on the market by the Good Housekeeping Institute for years. If you've been thinking about buying an Away suitcase, now is the time to jump. We do not expect to see a discount of this caliber return for Black Friday. In comparison, last year's Away Black Friday luggage deals required a purchase of at least two suitcases to unlock a $50 total discount.
Another reason being, Away recently redesigned its suitcases. Those (improvements include a stronger telescopic trolley handle, a new handle at the bottom that's helpful when lifting your suitcase off the carousel at baggage claim and most notably, seven new colors). These sale suitcases are the brand's few remaining original models, and once sold out, they'll be gone for good.
Away The Carry-On with Pocket
Now 15% Off
Away The Original Large
Now 15% Off
While the design upgrades are nice, the originals are what impressed our Lab analysts and earned Away its cult status, so they're certainly still worth the price. Take the suitcase's shell: It's made of 100% polycarbonate that proved to be durable and lightweight in our Away review (we even drop-tested it!).
Our luggage expert Emma Seymour, senior analyst at the GH Institute Textiles Lab was "blown away by this bag for being impressively lightweight, scratch resistant, easy to maneuver and fitting everything in our packing tests." It also has a streamlined aesthetic with clean lines, matte finishes and stylish colors.
Not in the market for new luggage? The Away Labor Day sale extends to travel gear and travel backpacks, too. Honorable mention for the F.A.R. Backpack — I own this bag and carry it as my personal item on almost every flight I take. Designed for hiking and outdoor adventures, it has a roomy 26-liter interior with multiple pockets and practical details like a water-resistant outer shell and water bottle sleeve.
Given it's the first-ever Away Labor Day Sale, stock is sure to dwindle quickly. Get yours while you can!
Away F.A.R Backpack, 26L
Away F.A.R Duffle, 55L
Now 45% Off
Away The Packable Carryall
Now 25% Off
Senior Commerce Editor
Heath Owens is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst Magazines, where he covers home, fashion, tech and gifts for Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, Esquire, Delish, Men’s Health, and more.
Traveling with a laptop gives you the freedom to get work done or enjoy entertainment on the go, but they can be tricky to safely store when flying. With so many varying restrictions on carry-on luggage sizing, bringing your laptop along on a trip can become a bit of a headache if you don’t have a solid spot to house it, particularly if it doesn’t fit within your one personal item bag. Cabin-friendly suitcases with a separate laptop compartment are the perfect solution, providing a designated space specifically designed to protect your computer.
With so many choices for carry-on suitcases with laptop compartments on the market, we helped narrow down the options with a series of tests conducted in our testing lab and out in the real world. We tried out more than 150 carry-on suitcases and researched dozens of additional products. After packing each suitcase for a four-day trip, we maneuvered them through obstacle courses to test the agility of the wheels and sturdiness of the handles. We also dropped them off shelves and hit them with baseball bats to test durability. All bags were evaluated based on their capacity, value, design, and durability, as well as the ease of maneuverability, comfort, and portability.
Our top pick is the Carl Friedrik The Carry-on Pro for its sleek design, included compression pad, and excellent maneuverability. We’ve included our other favorites as well, each with its own allure for various types of travelers.
Carl Friedrik
Our Ratings
Maneuverability
5/5
Durability
4.8/5
Value
4.5/5
Capacity
5/5
Design
5/5
Why We Love It
What to Consider
We love the high-quality materials and intuitive design of the Carl Friedrik The Carry-on Pro suitcase. Crafted from a polycarbonate shell with a sleek gunmetal gray finish and Italian leather details, this case is compliant with most airline restrictions and features a stylish, zipperless aesthetic. The aluminum locking mechanism for the main compartment keeps your belongings secure as well.
This carry-on suitcase is ideal for the regular traveler who needs durability and functionality and prefers not to check a bag. We think the standout feature is that the hardside laptop compartment is located in a separate section at the front of the bag so it doesn’t eat into the real estate of the main compartment. No matter how fully packed the interior of the bag is, travelers will still be able to fit their laptop in the roomy front pocket. The flat pocket on the compression straps assist in maximizing this space and extra organization is possible with smaller zipped pockets and zipped pockets. Thanks to a pocket with a USB cord inside, you can charge the computer from the exterior via a portable power bank, too. You can feel confident storing your electronics inside the hearty laptop compartment while wheeling this carry-on around and putting in the overhead compartment for your flight.
Price at time of publish: $565
The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | Dimensions: 21.7 x 15 x 10.6 inches (expanded) | Weight: 9.5 pounds
Monos
Our Ratings
Capacity
4.8/5
Design
5/5
Maneuverability
5/5
Durability
4.8/5
Value
5/5
Why We Love It
What to Consider
We love the upgraded Monos Carry-on with this “Pro” version’s secure laptop storage, designed to fit in almost any overhead compartment, on any flight. It’s a very sturdy and durable, dent-resistant case that houses your laptop behind an all-over aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell. Quiet, spinnable wheels and vegan leather are just some of the high-end materials used in crafting this cabin-friendly suitcase. We noticed the wheels roll easily over a wide array of surfaces, including gravel, cobblestones, dirt, grass, and asphalt on a trip to Japan. The wheels have an impressive weight capacity, too, enduring when we used the carry-on as a scooter to roll down a hill. The fact that the carry-on comes with a laundry and shoe bag is an added bonus. The front laptop compartment does infringe on one side of interior space, but offers zippered pocket storage for additional items such as your passport, charging cords, e-reader, etc., while giving you quick access to those things. Although the outside scuffs easily, we found the material easy to clean with soap and a sponge.
Price at time of publish: $295
The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | Dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 7.8 pounds
Amazon
Our Ratings
Capacity
4/5
Design
4/5
Maneuverability
4/5
Durability
5/5
Value
5/5
Why We Love It
What to Consider
For a carry-on with a front tech pocket that offers solid value, the Coolife Carry On with Pocket fits the bill. It’s one of the more lightweight bags we tested and it's durable as well. We noticed the exterior materials were flexible and hearty enough to stand up to multiple tests, like hitting it with a baseball bat and shoving it off tabletops, without paint chipping, denting, or scratching. While the price is the lowest of all our picks, we found that the 360-degree spinner wheels were not as easy to maneuver when compared to other bags we tested. The bag rotated smoothly around tight corners only when all four wheels were used, but had some issues traveling smoothly over bumps unless only two wheels were used. The interior materials for the zip pockets don’t have much flexibility so there could be a risk of ripping them if the bag was overpacked. The laptop compartment only fits a computer or tablet up to 13.3 inches, and if the interior is overpacked, it’s possible it’d be too tight to fit the laptop safely.
Price at time of publish: $110
The Details: Fits laptops up to 13.3 inches | Dimensions: 19.29 x 30.71 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds
Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples
Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples
Travelpro
Our Ratings
Capacity
5/5
Design
4.5/5
Maneuverability
4/5
Value
3.5/5
Why We Love It
What to Consider
Skip using the overhead compartment when you pack light in the underseat-friendly, 22-liter Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote, ideal for weekend trips. The built-in padded sleeve is perfect for storing laptops up to 15 inches and the zippered opening allows for quick access, with enough room for 2-3 days of clothing. The bag is sleek and functional, with leather details and ample pocket organization, including two interior pockets inside the main compartment, as well as the exterior front pocket and luggage sleeve for attaching to a suitcase. It is versatile, with the option to carry it with the removable shoulder strap or handles. We love the magnetic closure of the front pocket, great for securely storing your passport or cell phone while keeping it easy to access. While it is compact enough to fit under a seat, it’s worth noting that this bag is significantly smaller in size than our other picks so it won’t fit as much, especially if you want to carry a laptop inside. However, it does make a more stylish alternative to a duffle bag and works well for a weekend trip.
Price at time of publish: $245
The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | Dimensions: H: 9.25 x 16.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 2.3 pounds
Arlo Skye
Our Ratings
Capacity
4.3/5
Design
4/5
Maneuverability
4.3/5
Durability
5/5
Value
5/5
Why We Love It
What to Consider
We love the Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max with Front Pocket for its spacious interior as well as its spectrum of appealing colors. The hardsided smart suitcase is equipped with a speedy, removable charger, compatible with USB-C and A ports. This model allows you to overpack a little (because we’ve all been there) with flexible zipper technology. The included laundry and shoe bags help keep those items separate from the rest of your belongings, which you can expertly organize in the main compartments, complete with anti-microbial interior fabric to keep odors and germs at bay. We noticed that the compression straps helped with packing puffier clothes. The front hardside laptop compartment stores your computer and other fragile items safely and securely so if you do overpack and have to gate-check your luggage, you can feel confident.
Price at time of publish: $395
The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | Dimensions: 23.0 x 15.0 x 10.3 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds | Smart
July
Our Ratings
Capacity
4.5/5
Design
4.5/5
Maneuverability
5/5
Durability
4.5/5
Value
4.5/5
Why We Love It
What to Consider
We love the sturdy yet lightweight July Carry-On Pro SnapSleeve for its fantastic maneuverability, detachable laptop sleeve, and internal pockets for chargers and other cords. Our favorite feature was how simple it was to remove the laptop sleeve by unzipping it and pulling the internal tab, making it a breeze to access your laptop during security checks or in case you need to check your bag due to full overhead bins. A removable power bank is great for charging on the go via USB-C or USB ports. Other highlights include the twin strap compression system and hidden laundry bag inside. You won’t have to struggle to wheel this bag around either; the quiet spinner wheels and multi-stop telescopic handle with comfortable grip are a real treat. We found that the compression straps did not work as well as some other bags we’ve tested.
Price at time of publish: $345
The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | Dimensions: 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Smart
Roam
Why We Love It:
What to Consider
Although we did not test this item, we love the ability to customize your color combination that the Roam Carry-On Front Pocket Expandable offers, with different hues available for the front, back, zipper, lining, and trim. The padded front pocket isn’t just for your laptop; other pockets and slots keep cords, chargers, notebooks, and e-readers organized and secure. Smooth wheels and a lightweight profile make this luggage easy to navigate and the compression straps inside help to keep your items compact and secure during travel. While customizing your own color design is pretty cool and helps to identify your bag quickly if you need to check it at the gate, this feature comes at a higher price point than comparable models, though it also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $675
The Details: Dimensions: 22 x 14.25 x 11.75 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds
Calpak
Why We Love It
What to Consider
While we did not physically test this item, we thought it was worth adding as a solid softside option with the largest laptop accommodation of all of our picks. The Calpak Luka Soft-sided Carry-on gives softsided luggage lovers the lightweight benefits of this style with the addition of a padded laptop sleeve for safe transport. Multiple exterior pockets, in addition to the laptop compartment, make organizing your items a breeze, and with a 41-liter capacity, you’ll have the opportunity to fit belongings for up to a week inside (depending). Everything will stay secured thanks to the TSA-approved lock, too. The 360-degree spinner wheels easily navigate the airport, so you don’t have to struggle as you make your way to your gate. Cushioned handles on both the retractable top and side prioritize comfort as well. Despite offering a spacious capacity, it’ll fit in most overhead bins, with the extra flexibility for squeezing it up there that a hardsided case just can’t offer.
Price at time of publish: $195
The Details: Fits laptops up to 17 inches | Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds
Our Testing Process
The T+L team tested more than 150 carry-on suitcases either in our New York City lab or in real-world travel situations. A range of tests were performed to evaluate capacity, maneuverability, portability, design, and functionality. First, each suitcase was packed with enough essentials for a four-day trip, including multiple outfits, two pairs of shoes, and two toiletry bags. We took care to observe storage and organizational features, including the front laptop compartment, pockets, expanders, and compression straps. Next, we zipped up each suitcase and rolled it through a variety of surfaces and an obstacle course to test how easily the wheels maneuvered. After, other tests like lifting and storing it in the overhead bin and subjecting it to potentially damaging situations (a baseball bat in the lab) were performed to see how durable the case was. Using the insights and scores from these tests, the carry-on suitcases with the highest ratings were chosen for this roundup.
Tips for Buying a Carry-on With a Laptop Compartment
Be sure your laptop model will fit in the suitcase
One of the main things to consider when shopping for a carry-on suitcase with a laptop compartment is the sizing that it will accommodate. You don’t want to end up squishing your laptop inside, potentially damaging it, or not having it fit at all. It’s wise to leave a little extra room; if you have a 13-inch laptop, perhaps look into suitcase models that can hold laptops up to 15 inches, just to give yourself a little wiggle room.
Consider additional organization and access needs
Laptop compartments naturally allow us to access our computer and other items stored up front quickly and easily, though some models are designed for this better than others. A suitcase where you can access important items quickly without having to completely open the main compartment is paramount, particularly for business travelers. Consider your need to store other small items such as notebooks, pens, your passport, charging cords, etc. as well when you assess the front pocket’s organization and additional pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first thing to do when shopping for a bag with a laptop compartment is to measure your laptop to make sure it’ll fit. You can do this quickly and easily by measuring it diagonally, from edge to edge, as well as measuring the height, width, and depth. Make sure the bag you purchase allows for a little extra room, as you don’t want a 15-inch laptop in a bag that fits only a 15-inch laptop, since it’ll be too tight a fit.
Yes, though it depends on how protected your laptop is inside the compartment. You will need to make sure to remove any spare lithium batteries, as those are not allowed in checked luggage. Although the TSA allows travelers to transport laptops in checked luggage, it’s still highly recommended to keep it with you in a carry-on bag for protection against possible damage and theft, as well as lost luggage. Landing at your destination only to find out your suitcase has been lost or left behind when your laptop is in there is hardly ideal. Even in a hardside suitcase with a padded laptop compartment, you could end up with a cracked screen or other damage with all of the rough handling and heavy bag stacking that takes place.
If your bag has a separate, padded compartment for a laptop, then it's okay to pack it without an additional case. If you prefer to use a case as well as the dedicated laptop sleeve, it’s important to factor in the extra room it will take up in your bag and whether it will fit in the sleeve or not. Make sure to measure well beforehand if you choose to use an additional case.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
T+L contributor Lauren Breedlove scoured our testing insights to find the best carry-on suitcases with laptop compartments. She also tapped into her own experience with traveling regularly with a laptop in tow, and working on the go. Using these factors, she curated this list of top carry-on bags with separate laptop storage.
Oakland resident and travel TikToker Leone Pierce was already in a bind when she had to add a long stopover in Singapore on her way home. To add insult to injury, unlike other passengers, her luggage didn’t circle the carousel once she arrived at her stopover.
“I pleaded with them to send someone to the tarmac to find my luggage since it had somehow gone unnoticed in the system. The situation was becoming more urgent with each passing minute, as my frustration grew,” Pierce told SFGATE.
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But it wasn’t enough that she could show Singapore Airlines employees that she had proof that her luggage was on the tarmac — she had to convince an employee to help her, and after an hour of pleading, she found someone willing to listen.
“One of the staff members, intrigued by my determination and the tracking data, decided to take action. He communicated with the ground crew and discovered that my luggage had been sitting somewhere, yet to be transferred to the baggage ramp,” Pierce said.
When she went back to check the baggage carousel once again, an airport employee had located the bag and set it out in the baggage claim area.
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While finding the bag required some extra legwork on her part, the miniature tracking device proved to be worth the cost.
Why travelers are choosing AirTags
Pierce isn’t the only traveler taking matters into her own hands when it comes to luggage. Travel influencers recommend AirTags all over social media, especially as busy travel resumes following the height of the pandemic.
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Mishandled luggage incidents have increased from 5.6 per 1,000 passengers in 2019 (pre-pandemic) to 7.6 per 1,000 passengers in 2022, according to the aviation data company SITA’s annual insights report. That number was even higher for international flights in 2022 — 19.3 bags per 1,000 passengers.
At least one influencer even claims that the tiny tracking devices are the most important thing you pack in your suitcase. Travelers can slip one of the small devices into their luggage and track it on their phone as it travels from the conveyor belt at check-in to the airplane.
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The tiny Apple product that rocked the world
When Apple announced the AirTag in 2021, it described the piece of tech as a “small and elegantly designed accessory that helps keep track of and find the items that matter most” by using the Find My app.
Tracking devices like Tile were already on the market to help people find commonly misplaced items. However, AirTags shook up the tech space as the coin-sized device connected directly to Find My on iPhones and other Apple products.
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Apple declined to comment on the product’s popularity as a device for air travel. However, the company has shown how it embraces travel by partnering with luxury brand Hermes to launch AirTag accessories that include a bag charm, key ring and luggage tag.
When the tech debuted, some people were concerned that bad actors would use it to follow people, instead of items, without permission. But Apple anticipated the concern and installed some safeguards.
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“IOS devices can also detect an AirTag that isn’t with its owner, and notify the user if an unknown AirTag is seen to be traveling with them from place to place over time. And even if users don’t have an iOS device, an AirTag separated from its owner for an extended period of time will play a sound when moved to draw attention to it,” the news release said. “If a user detects an unknown AirTag, they can tap it with their iPhone or NFC-capable device, and instructions will guide them to disable the unknown AirTag.”
SFO embraces Find My tech
BEST OF SFGATE
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“The airlines are not fans of AirTags. I honestly think they wish they were banned because now when passengers know where their bags are, it messes with their operating standards and procedures,” Pierce told SFGATE.
Seattle resident Alisabeth Hayden experienced a different challenge when her AirPods disappeared from her jacket pocket after deplaning a United flight for a layover in SFO. She told SFGATE that she noticed they were missing after boarding her flight to Seattle.
“At this point, I’m blaming myself, you know, I must not have buttoned up the jacket,” Hayden said. “And so I put them in Lost Mode, and I had internet the whole time while I was on the flight, and I’m spending the entire time trying to get a hold of somebody at the airport at United … and I’m taking screenshots so that I can explain.”
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She meticulously tracked her AirPods all the way from the airport to a residential area. After several emails and phone calls, a detective at SFO took her case and was able to track down the AirPods to a contracted worker.
“I had been dealing with a loss prevention specialist from United at that point because they were saying they were lost, and he was useless,” Hayden said. “He was so rude to me. He was so accusatory, like he was not going to even consider the fact that it could be an employee they entrusted on the airplane, which it ended up being.”
United did not directly comment on the incident with Hayden but said it “[encourages] passengers to file a report with law enforcement if items within their baggage have gone missing. We are working to evolve our baggage tracking procedures as more customers are using tracking devices to follow real-time location updates on their baggage.”
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“When our officers contact a passenger, they gather all available information to support the investigation. This could include … the presence of tracking devices like an Apple Air Tag,” a spokesperson for the SFPD airport division told SFGATE in a statement. “Our officers recommend the use of these tracking devices, as they increase the ability for the items to be recovered, along with prosecution of the perpetrator(s).”
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“Bluetooth and luggage tracking devices can be used in checked baggage if they are powered by lithium metal cells that have 0.3 grams or less of lithium or do not exceed 2.7 Watt-hours,” a spokesperson for the FAA told SFGATE.
Tracking devices are helping travelers to find their luggage easier, but Pierce said she doesn’t believe airlines are rushing to take the technology seriously.
“I’m glad that they haven’t banned them,” she said, “but what would be great is if they developed their own technology so every bag tag had a chip or something that would help give real-time location versus their scanning method.”