Flight Bag Briefcase

Flight Bag Leather Briefcase

7.00 lb

20.00

14.00

8.00

$649.00 2025 Member Price: $584.10
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SKU:
01-10-0023
SKU: 01-10-0023

A Leather Briefcase for Pilots

This bag was designed for pilots, like the one who flew our family to a region of Somalia infested with Al Shabaab terrorists. 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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.



Full Grain Leather Briefcases

Our leather is the strongest we can find (full-grain boot leather, but thicker). The top layer of a leather hide has all of the grain in it, and the grain is the toughest, most protective and longest lasting part of the hide. The grain is like the shingles on a roof. 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 therefore save money. But in doing so, it's like they're shaving the shingles off of your roof. Kind of insane.

Full grain leather briefcase at plane crash.

Industrial Marine Grade Thread

The thread is unbelievably strong industrial marine grade UV resistant polyester thread. It's what they use on sails and parachutes (things your life depends on). We use it to hold together leather briefcases.

Saddleback Leather briefcase in London, England.

Functionality of a Pilot’s Bag

This mid-1800's 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 seat. 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 way 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.

Lining in the Flight Bag

We use tough, but soft pigskin lining, which is stronger than the cow leather, instead of some pretty shiny fabric with a world map on it. There's also a false bottom inside that serves two purposes: First, it adds an extra layer of reinforcement. Secondly, you can hide cash, passports, etc. under there, but please don't hide drugs. Drugs are bad.

Flight Bag Briefcase for pilots in a cockpit.

Hardware That Won’t Fail

Our custom hardware is the amazing 316 Stainless Steel (please please google it). A metallergist told me that it was way overkill and that I really 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. 

Flight Bag Briefcase carried over the shoulder by a pilot.

Removable Adjustable Shoulder Strap

The removable, adjustable shoulder strap is a handy feature. You can take it off your briefcase to tie the Christmas tree to the rack of your car. The strap on this briefcase is as tough and durable as our quality full grain leather belts.

Your Heirloom in the Making

This is more than a leather laptop bag or briefcase for pilots — it’s a legacy piece designed to be fought over long after you’re gone. We believe your bag should outlast your career, your travel miles, and your wildest adventures. Buy it once. Break it in. Pass it down.

If something does go wrong, we’ll fix it under our 100-year warranty — because your leather bag shouldn’t give out before you do.

Bedtime Story for the Kids about Terrorists

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 was a really 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 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 called 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. Since we're not billionaires, we flew into Lamu and then took the little skiff to the island, but there are people who 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 allowed. To read about the Angel prophet of Islam and our walk through the terrorists, go to the Slim Leather Briefcase page.


Anyways, each of those small plane bush pilots that land on the beach or take people to Lamu, have a smaller flight bag briefcase next to their seat. It's just what you do when you need all of your things in one small cramped place.

 

Videos

Walking with Lions and Leather Flight Bag in Africa

Flight Bag Leather Briefcase Explained by Dave

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

How to Knock Off a Saddleback Leather Co. Briefcase

(232)
5 Stars Write a Review
  • 5
    A must have!

    I couldn’t be any more satisfied with my purchase. The highest of quality and design. Do yourself a favor and get one.

  • 5
    Flight Bag

    I’ve recently purchased the flight bag in black. It’s fantastic. Everything you’ve read and heard is true. The build quality, the thickness of the leather, depth of color, weight and feel of this bag is remarkable. I drove to the showroom in Azle, TX to take a look at all of their products first hand. I highly recommend that everyone do this. All of their products are true showroom pieces. I don’t say that about many products. I will be purchasing many more products from Saddleback leather. Well done to everyone involved in this business. Respectfully, S. Wilcoxen

  • 5
    A great bag

    I got this bag as a gift for a friend. I’ve had my own for over a decade and it looks beautiful and is my favorite briefcase

  • 5
    Love This Flight Bag!

    The size and workmanship is absolutely the very best! I am a big fan and already have my eye on the wide mouth backpack and duffle bag!

  • 5
    Best bag ever

    I have owned this bag in Chestnut for about five years. It is amazing and I get the most compliments about it! Plenty of room! Just buy it!