Flight Bag Leather Briefcase

2.00

$649.00

(223 reviews) Write a Review

Design of the Flight Bag

This bag was designed for pilots, like the one who flew our family to a region of Somalia infested with Al Shabaab terrorist (read the story here). These flight bags are over-engineered with no breakable parts like magnets, zippers, snaps, buttons, etc. We only use the strongest materials we can find. The leather is thick full grain leather 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 a custom stainless steel, which is complete overkill — it's like killing a fly with a shotgun. 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). The front pockets are built and then sewn on, so there are hidden pockets behind the pockets. There's a magazine pocket in the back and a floppy laptop pocket inside the leather briefcase.

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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 roofthe 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.

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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.

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Thread to Hold It All Together

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.

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Hardware in Our Leather Flight Bags

Our custom hardware is a 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.

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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.

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Hinged Frame (Gladstone Closure)

The hinged frame closure comes from the mid-1800s when zippers weren't a thing yet. When you open it, it stays wide open until you say otherwise. Pilots love this feature when the bag is next to them in the cockpit. 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 there's plenty of room for all your electronics, headset & GPS, books, and fuel testers.

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External Pockets

The two pockets in the front are great for storing charging cables, flashlight, water bottle, or fuel testers. These pockets are sewn onto the leather bag, so there are hidden pockets behind these pockets to slide a passport, pens or pencils, brochures, etc. The magazine pocket in the back will fit a tablet, magazine, or book.

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Removable, Adjustable Shoulder Strap

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. The leather strap adjusts from 40-60" and is removable too so you can carry it by hand.

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Leather Briefcase with a False Bottom

Inside the main compartment, there's a piece of leather on the bottom of the bag that serves two purposes. One - it's an extra layer of reinforcement (part of the whole over-engeneering thing). Two - it creates a false bottom so you can hide your passport or cash.

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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.

Details

100 Year Warranty
Fits 17" Laptops
Removable Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Hidden Pockets Behind Two Front Pockets
Key Strap
False Bottom

Dimensions (W x H x D)

16" x 12" x 6"
Front Pockets: 6"W x 7"H
Strap: 1.25" W x 40" - 65" L
Shoulder Pad: 3" W x 7.75"L

MATERIALS

Full Grain Leather
Pigskin Lining
Custom Stainless Steel Hardware
Industrial Marine-Grade Polyester Thread

5
Never Knew How Good a Briefcase Could Be

Previous to May 30th of 2023 I had never heard of Saddleback Leather Co. But wow, when I did, what an experience. The Flight Bag is my first one picked out, and I know why it will last a Century. The quality, the beauty, the presentation, all of it speaks quality and excellence. If I had one complaint, and it is minor, it is that on my bag the inside pocket material is extremely loose, and lays out somewhat odd. But, the bag will be closed and items will be in it, so I figured I could live with it. I agonized between the Chestnut and Dark Coffee. For my eye, the Tobacco and Black, while cool colors, didn't accent the beauty of the bag as well as the previously mentioned colors. In the end I took the Chestnut as I was told by the amazing lady in the showroom, the DCB showed stress and wear much quicker than the Chestnut (the black showed the slowest). It looks so good, I feel it ought to be on display, not used. But Dave and his team didn't make these to sit on a shelf (although some do), but to be used. And one other note: Thank you Dave, for being so kind and spending time when I came to the showroom. Your entire team is a joy to work with, and the spirit of your company pervades everything being said and done. Loved it so much, I joined the club!

Posted by Dean Waterman | Jun 03, 2023
5
Gorgeous

This bag was purchased for my husband’s 40th birthday and I was stunned with how beautiful the bag is when I opened the box. He will very much enjoy using this as his daily work bag for his laptop and cords and notebooks, etc. It’s been on his bucket-list for a while and now I cannot wait for him to have it. The bag is top quality craftsmanship with plenty of inside space, front pockets, the handle is strong and comfortable and the non-zipper/non-flap too closure is just what he’s been looking for in a work bag. Well-done Saddleback!

Posted by TC | May 20, 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 Hunter L | Mar 30, 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 David Drewry | Mar 23, 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 B. Fisher | Feb 14, 2023

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