12 Best Luxury Luggage Pieces Worthy of First Class

For much of my life, I only experienced economy-class flights. But once I got a taste of the front-of-the-plane lifestyle (thanks to a combination of business travel opportunities, airline loyalty points, and credit card miles), I could never go back. Now, I’ve had the chance to fly first class on a range of airlines around the world, and I still pinch myself every time I hit the button that reclines my upright seat into a bed. Up front, everything is different. You get meals on real china, champagne in actual glasses, proper bedding, and warm towels to refresh yourself before landing.

My fellow travelers are, for the most part, affluent frequent fliers. The bags they bring are luxurious, well-made, built-to-last pieces, with quiet-luxury labels or standout logos. Ahead, check out the investment-worthy bags I see in upper-class cabins. From carry-on suitcases to weekender bags, these come from well-loved brands like Rimowa, Tumi, and other well-established favorites. You’ll also find a few of my favorite affordable lookalikes starting at $16.

Rimowa Classic Cabin Carry-on Suitcase

The trained eye will easily recognize any high-end Rimowa luggage, with the signature ridged aluminum shell and glossy riveted corners. When you spot one, it will almost always be accompanied by someone sitting in the front of the plane, considering the price. It’s not just good-looking. The German-made bag is built to last with handmade leather handles, ball-bearing mounted wheels, and cushioned axles for effortless steering. With its integrated TSA-approved locks and smooth-gliding zippers, it ensures your belongings stay secure while still being easily accessible. Rimowa’s signature aluminum frame construction makes it resistant to harsh weather conditions, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want a premium product that can withstand the rigors of global travel.

Tumi International Expandable Carry-on Suitcase

Now a half-century-old brand, Tumi is a well-established staple among first- and business-class travelers. This textured carry-on with wave-like contours has a super-recognizable — and rich — look with a recycled polycarbonate shell. It has a built-in USB-C charging port, an integrated TSA lock, super-smooth dual spinner wheels, its own luggage tag, and a three-stage telescoping handle. There's also a monogrammable patch to make your piece bespoke (and extra first-class-worthy).

Dagne Dover Seattle Carry-on Suitcase

I brought this on a long-haul trip while flying business class, and I love how well it performed on a trip to Japan — which had lots of moving parts and navigation obstacles. The 360-degree wheels glide like a dream. Unlike some other recognizable hardside suitcases, this softside option looks just as sleek with its elegant tone-on-tone detailing for each of the chic colorway options. The cool carry-on has tons of smart organizational features, like two padded pockets, elastic straps, and an interior roll-up divider with toggles.

Cotrunkage Vintage Carry-on 2-piece Set

Confession: I still have my Steamline carry-on roller sitting in its dustbag because it feels too beautiful to actually carry on a plane. With vintage trunks as the design reference, these bags are made to attract attention in the airport, on your flight, and at your destination. With this Amazon set, you get a similar look for over $850 less. Plus, you get a whole set that includes both a spinner and personal item. It’s made out of layers of paper that are heavily treated with heat and steam to produce vulcanized fiberboard. Translation? It’s strong like leather, but light like aluminum. The roller bag has 360-degree spinner wheels for smooth rolling, and the train case attaches to the roller with a built-in strap.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22-inch Spinner

A favorite among aviation pros, this bag has many patented features along with an unconditional lifetime guarantee that covers all functional aspects of the bag forever. Timeless and versatile, the bag is expandable with an interior compression-expansion system that maximizes its packing capacity. The zip-around closure has self-repairing zippers with lockable double pulls, and a roomy front pocket lets you access items easily at security or even from the overhead bin.

Monos Metro Weekend Bag

Nothing says “I fly business class” like a chic weekender bag that has a structured, almost briefcase-like appearance. With all of its pockets and zippers, it’s easy to pack this bag thoughtfully without overstuffing it. The elegant, water-resistant bag features a 16-inch zippered laptop compartment, a bottom shoe compartment, water bottle pocket, and more easily-accessible pockets inside and outside. It also includes a removable drawstring bag for storing dirty laundry or shoes in the cleanest way possible.

Tumi Alpha Bravo Search Backpack

With all due respect to tried-and-true school backpack brands like Jansport, those aren't the kinds of backpacks you typically see up front in a plane. Rather, look for grown-up, polished backpacks that distribute weight evenly across the shoulders while maintaining the sophisticated look of other carry-on styles. This one, made from ballistic nylon, has a zippered entry to a padded laptop compartment, a padded mesh back panel, a key leash, plus pen holders and tons of other organizational features.

Beis 21-Inch Carry-on Roller

A brand well-known to in-the-know travelers (young, influencer types), it's also available at a more accessible price point than bags from designer brands preferred by the older guard. Molded from polycarbonate, it’s sleek and definitely Instagram-friendly. It has an integrated TSA-approved combination lock, four 360-degree swiveling wheels, and an expansion gusset. A telescoping handle has a cushioned silicone grip, and — cool feature alert — the side handle has a weight-limit indicator.

Saint Laurent Vanity Case

It’s true that first class cabins provide amenity kits, but nothing says “I always fly this way” like bringing your own designer vanity case, carefully curated with your toothbrush, lip balm, face moisturizer, and more. This quilted leather case, complete with a top handle and gold zipper, is utterly timeless and will never go out of style.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a first-class cabin that isn’t dotted with Louis Vuitton logos on rolling bags, duffels, totes, and more. This classic Neverfull style is roomy (plenty roomy enough for an extra layer and a laptop) but lightweight and not bulky, with side laces that cinch for a more buttoned-up and compact silhouette when you're not using all the space. Right now, get this iconic tote used for a fraction of the full-priced cost. If you love the look but not the price tag, this $50 bag offers a similar aesthetic. Made of sturdy PVC, it maintains a neutral brown pattern with a versatile graphic pattern. It also comes with a convenient matching zippered clutch that’s ideal for carrying important essentials, like your passport and wallet.

Hibala Woven Beach Bag

A telltale green and red stripe indicates a piece of Gucci luggage from a distance. But you can get the cool graphic look of the designer gear for a fraction of the price with this versatile jute fiber tote bag. It’s perfect for carrying souvenirs and gifts on board after shopping on a trip, or for packing flat in a suitcase to take to the beach at your destination.

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