SKU 01-10-0023

Flight Bag Leather Briefcase

7.00 lb

17.00

14.00

6.00

$649.00

Flight Bag Leather Briefcase Explained by Dave

Gladstone Closure Briefcase Comparison

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Flight Bag Briefcase - What it Fits | Saddleback Leather Co.

How to Knock Off a Saddleback Leather Co. Briefcase

What People Think

5

Great Gift For a Pilot

Construction is what I've come to expect from Saddleback, I have the Rounded Satchel that rides on my shoulder everyday on my Harley, and its been soaked and re-oiled countless times at this point without issue.

I bought this bag for my girlfriend who is in flight school, and she immediately stuffed everything from her backpack into this bag saying she was so excited to have "an actual pilot's bag" she can keep with her in the plane. Worth every penny.
30th Mar 2023
Hunter L
5

Flight bag

Visited the store this week debating the Flight Bag or Barrister. The most lovely and patient lady helped me settle on the Flight Bag. Gorgeous Tobacco brown, excellent customer service … and I even got to meet Dave! What a great day it was. Thanks SBL
23rd Mar 2023
David Drewry
5

Nostalgia at it's finest!

I've been eying this bag for years now. I bought a front pocket backpack nearly 10 years ago for international travel and absolutely love it. I never go anywhere with it that I don't get at least one person stop and ask me about it. I'm graduating this semester from college (decided to go back after being in the workforce for a few years), and wanted to treat myself to a graduation present. I ordered this bag Thursday evening and it arrived by Monday, very fast, but I also live in the great state of Texas so it didn't have to go far. Pulling it out of the box I was blown away! This thing makes me feel like I should be boarding a Pan-Am flight to Cairo for a cruise down the Nile on a steamship...what a blast of nostalgia! I can't wait to break this bag in on my travels and look a little more stately doing so. My backpack was the same color (tobacco) when I ordered it and it has worn into a beautiful color with its use. I prefer the natural leather look with all of the scuffs and markings of daily wear. I look forward to many many years and numerous adventures with this new bag at my side. Next item on the list is the Deep Pocket Duffle...or the WaterBag ...maybe both!
If you are on the fence about any saddleback product, don't wait! Order it and know you will not be disappointed.
Dave and Suzette, hats of to you again!
14th Feb 2023
B. Fisher
5

Flight Briefcase

I love it just like I do all the other leather products that I have purchased. Yes they will last a 100 years and then some. They may have given many other products to a 2nd and 3rd world countries. But this is where the real leather works and products stayed. In the great state of Texas. You will very satisfied with any and all the products that you will be purchasing here with quality of the craftsmanship and the materials that are used. Don't ever stop the great work.
16th Jan 2023
Cruz Martinez
5

I wouldn’t change a thing

I use this bag for when I travel and do public speaking. I travel all over the country presenting to groups as small as 6-10 or as large as 3000. This bag is perfect for holding HDMI cords, remotes and other connectors and dongles. I makes set up quick and easy. I do notice that when I present to smaller groups, somebody always comments on my bag. It definitely help to up my credibility game!
16th Apr 2022
Don S.
The full grain leather flight bag is over-engineered and built with the strongest materials possible to create a long lasting product.

Flight Bag Details

100-Year Warranty

Fits 16" MacBook Pro

Removable Adjustable Shoulder Strap

Hidden Pockets Behind Two Front Pockets

Magazine Sleeve Pocket in the Back

Flight Bag Dimensions (W x H x D) 

15" x 11" x 5"

Front Pockets: 6"W x 7"H

Strap: 1.25" W x 40" - 65"L

Shoulder Pad: 3" W x 7.75"L

Weight: 6 lbs

Design of the Flight Bag

These flight bags are over-engineered with no breakable parts like magnets, zippers, snaps, buttons, etc. A few pieces of solid leather are put together beautifully. And is then reinforced at all stress points with rivets and hidden polyester strapping. Some leather that is pulled on stretches, but these straps don't. The leather briefcase is built with the largest pieces of leather possible, so there are fewer seams, and we sew at only five stitches per inch, so there's more leather between the needle holes and fewer holes to start a tear. The closure is a classic Gladstone bag closure that does not require a zipper. Zippers break. Our lining that backs up the leather is tougher than the leather, which is better than some pretty shiny lightweight nylon fabric with an old world map on it to make you feel adventurous.

The Flight Bag is made of the most robust leather and is reinforced at all stress points with rivets and hidden polyester strapping, ensuring that it will last for many years.

The Best Flight Bags Are Made With Quality Materials

The materials used in constructing this flight bag are top-of-the-line and meant to last, just like your plane. The leather is full grain and incredibly tough, while the lining is made of pigskin, which is even stronger. The thread is industrial, marine grade, and UV resistant, ensuring it will hold up against wear and tear. The hardware is 316 stainless steel, the metal of choice for situations where strength is vital.

Leather in Our Pilot Bags:

The leather we use is the strongest we can find (full grain boot leather, but thicker). The top layer of a leather hide has all the grain. The grain is the hide's toughest, most protective, and longest-lasting part. The grain is like the shingles on a roof—the best part. Most companies shave off the top layer (grain) of the hide to get rid of scars so they can use almost every inch of the hide in production and save money. But in doing so, it's like they're shaving the shingles off your roof. There ought to be a law.

Lining of Our Leather Flight Bag:

We use pigskin lining, which is stronger than cow leather, instead of some pretty shiny fabric with a world map on it. In addition, this pigskin lining is lighter in shade, making it much easier to see inside in a darker cockpit.

Thread:

The thread is unbelievably strong industrial marine-grade UV resistant polyester thread. It's what they use when people could die if the thread fails. Like on sails and parachutes. We use it to hold together leather briefcases.

The materials used in constructing this flight bag, including the full grain leather, lining, thread, and hardware, are top-of-the-line and meant to last.

Hardware in Our Leather Flight Bags:

Our custom hardware is the amazing 316 Stainless Steel (please please google it). It's the metal of choice when your life depends on it. A metallurgist told me it was way overkill and that I didn't need it to be so strong. I guess it's like killing a fly with a shotgun for a leather briefcase, but we NEVER have problems with our hardware.

No Breakable Parts in Our Leather Briefcases

Do you remember in your childhood, that transformer bag with the cool zippered rear pocket that fell apart and dropped your collection of hot wheels in the hall at school? Then you realize you want to study harder to afford nicer things that don't fall apart. So you decide to become a pilot because you love freedom and only fly what you trust. You don't want to get a part for your plane that you don't trust, no fuel pump or brakes for your Cessna from wish.

Functionality of The Pilot Bags

This mid-1800s English style Gladstone Bag closure is just plain cool on this leather briefcase. It opens wide and stays open until you say otherwise. Pilots love this feature to put next to their seats. For closure, I chose a single leather strap with holes punched all the way out to the very tip, just in case your bag is overstuffed or you want to stick your umbrella or blueprints under the strap horizontally or leave the laptop bag open to stick your stuff out vertically. The front pockets are built and then sewn on, so there are hidden pockets behind the pockets. This is a more expensive way to design a leather briefcase because it requires more leather, but it's also way more helpful.

This full grain leather flight bag is designed to last for 100 years and protect your gear when flying.

External Pockets for Easy Access During a Flight

As a pilot, you need quick access to something out of your flight bag, from a flashlight to water bottles, to a handheld radio or charging cords on a long flight. With the external pockets, it will be easy access for all the gear you might need. Even with the flight bag open, either front pocket has easy access.

Fuel Tester Pockets

There is a pocket that would be perfect for your fuel testers. Just make sure you keep it in an airtight fuel tester container; you wouldn't really want to move from the full grain leather smell to the fuel smell.

Gladstone Closure for Quick Access to the Main Compartment

From the front compartment, which is the main area inside, to the back compartment, there is ample storage space for everything you might need. You might only have to carry your pilot certificate, a photo ID, and possibly even an aviation medical certificate, but we all know you will have more than that. Here are a few other accessories and things you can fit in the separate pockets and the central area of the Leather Flight Bag.

The thread in our flight bags is incredibly strong and resistant to UV light.

Electronics

MacBook Mini, Ultrabook, tablet, or iPad will slide perfectly inside the inner back pocket. This is pigskin lined, so it is like a padded laptop sleeve, but it is even nicer if you grab a laptop sleeve to go with it. These are great for everything from flight planning to holding electronic versions of your manuals and even checking the weather on those long flights.

Books

Maybe you are more old school and want actual physical books, especially student pilots. Everything from operating handbooks to other reference books, you can have a couple of those in these flight bags with no problems, along with your logbooks.

Headset and GPS

You might have your own special headset that you like to use; you can toss that in here, as well as an external GPS if you need one.

Sunglasses and a GoPro

Yes, you can even fit your sunglasses, along with that GoPro, for when you see the most amazing cloud that looks just like your leather bag.

The external pockets on the Leather Flight Bag are perfect for easy access to gear you may need during a flight, such as a flashlight or water bottle.

Pens and Pencils

Then, of course, you can fit pens and pencils, a flashlight and spare batteries for those night flights, and even a flight school brochure, but I hope you already went.

Fuel Testers

If you need to carry a fuel tester to check your fuel before your flight, you can also carry that. We just ask that you place it in a leakproof container so it doesn't get fuel inside your pilot bags.

We Tried To Think Of Everything for this Leather Flight Bag

When we designed these Flight Bags, we tried to think of everything. This highest-quality full grain leather bag should come to mind when you think of flight outfitters. You don't want some cheap pilot bags that have leather accents; you might as well use a gym bag. Experienced airline pilots want the real deal, Flight Bags made of Full Grain Leather, these bags are going to last long enough for you to pass down to your grandkids to fight over after they are gone.

This will Comfortably Fit on your Shoulder

We know not all pilots like to carry their pilot bags the same, so we made the adjustable strap so you can fit it just right. First, of course, you want to ensure the weight is distributed evenly, which will do that—no more aching back or shoulders. The shoulder strap is removable too so you can carry it by hand.

 

Bedtime Story

FOR THE KIDS ABOUT A AL-SHABAAB ON VACATION

The last small plane we were on was from Nairobi to Lamu. From there, we took a 2-hour small boat ride to an island off the Northern Coast of Kenya, next to Somalia, where a Kenyan friend of ours told us it was a super cool place for holiday. We didn't know about all of the Al-Shabaab terrorist activity and kidnappings in the area, or we probably wouldn't have chosen it for our family vacation, but ignorance is bliss. The last night there was a little freaky. Okay, a lot of freaky hanging out and discussing theology with the witchcraft-practicing angel prophet of Islam, but that's for another place and time (or bag description).

So we finally get to our destination, Mike's Camp, run and owned by a British Kenyan named Mike. A charming chap who had made a barefoot luxury Gilligan's Island resort built almost entirely from woven reeds. The walls and floors were 100% woven, and the ceilings were thatched. All of it was supported by branches and sticks.

It was SUPER COOL. Unbelievable. And that's why billionaires fly in to stay there all the time. Of course, since we're not billionaires, we flew into Lamu and then took the little skiff to the island, but some people fly in at low tide, land on the beach, and walk up the sand dunes to the camp. It's where you completely unplug. No laptop bags are allowed. To read about the Angel prophet of Islam and our walk through the terrorists, go to the Slim Leather Briefcase page.

Small plane bush pilots that land on the beach or take people to Lamu have a smaller flight bag briefcase next to their seats. It's just what you do when you need all of your things in a tiny cramped place.

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Write a Review
  • Posted by Hunter L on 30th Mar 2023
    5
    Great Gift For a Pilot
    Construction is what I've come to expect from Saddleback, I have the Rounded Satchel that rides on my shoulder everyday on my Harley, and its been soaked and re-oiled countless times at this point without issue.

    I bought this bag for my girlfriend who is in flight school, and she immediately stuffed everything from her backpack into this bag saying she was so excited to have "an actual pilot's bag" she can keep with her in the plane. Worth every penny.
  • Posted by David Drewry on 23rd Mar 2023
    5
    Flight bag
    Visited the store this week debating the Flight Bag or Barrister. The most lovely and patient lady helped me settle on the Flight Bag. Gorgeous Tobacco brown, excellent customer service … and I even got to meet Dave! What a great day it was. Thanks SBL
  • Posted by B. Fisher on 14th Feb 2023
    5
    Nostalgia at it's finest!
    I've been eying this bag for years now. I bought a front pocket backpack nearly 10 years ago for international travel and absolutely love it. I never go anywhere with it that I don't get at least one person stop and ask me about it. I'm graduating this semester from college (decided to go back after being in the workforce for a few years), and wanted to treat myself to a graduation present. I ordered this bag Thursday evening and it arrived by Monday, very fast, but I also live in the great state of Texas so it didn't have to go far. Pulling it out of the box I was blown away! This thing makes me feel like I should be boarding a Pan-Am flight to Cairo for a cruise down the Nile on a steamship...what a blast of nostalgia! I can't wait to break this bag in on my travels and look a little more stately doing so. My backpack was the same color (tobacco) when I ordered it and it has worn into a beautiful color with its use. I prefer the natural leather look with all of the scuffs and markings of daily wear. I look forward to many many years and numerous adventures with this new bag at my side. Next item on the list is the Deep Pocket Duffle...or the WaterBag ...maybe both!
    If you are on the fence about any saddleback product, don't wait! Order it and know you will not be disappointed.
    Dave and Suzette, hats of to you again!
  • Posted by Cruz Martinez on 16th Jan 2023
    5
    Flight Briefcase
    I love it just like I do all the other leather products that I have purchased. Yes they will last a 100 years and then some. They may have given many other products to a 2nd and 3rd world countries. But this is where the real leather works and products stayed. In the great state of Texas. You will very satisfied with any and all the products that you will be purchasing here with quality of the craftsmanship and the materials that are used. Don't ever stop the great work.
  • Posted by Don S. on 16th Apr 2022
    5
    I wouldn’t change a thing
    I use this bag for when I travel and do public speaking. I travel all over the country presenting to groups as small as 6-10 or as large as 3000. This bag is perfect for holding HDMI cords, remotes and other connectors and dongles. I makes set up quick and easy. I do notice that when I present to smaller groups, somebody always comments on my bag. It definitely help to up my credibility game!