fly away travel reviews

Suggested companies

Military flight financing.

Fly Away Travels   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 3.1.

Most relevant

Scammers posing as a Westjet TF on google

I would give negative stars if I could. They were posing as a Westjet TF on google, and when I called they answered as a Westjet agent and they claimed to cancel my flights, charged me 169$ CA and didn't cancel anything...researching apparently what they do is tell you that the cancellation will show in your travel credits but in reality they transfer your reservation and resell it to someone else. All 5 Star reviews on here are likely based on tickets from scamming other travelers. Thankfully I locked my CC, and went to the Airline App and cancelled the flights there...then my phone started ringing - 6 calls to contact them of I'd be in trouble... DO NOT USE THIS IS A SCAM!

Date of experience : March 14, 2024

Nancy was helpful

Nancy was helpful. She helped me cancel my American flight and get a refund. She also helped me book me a cheaper flight with United for the same route. I think everyone should have a travel agency like fly away who have knowledge about cheaper routes.

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

My credit card was charged by this…

My credit card was charged by this company after a scammer tricked me into believing they were Air Canada calling in regards to a modification of my flight I had booked. The scammer cancelled my flight, and my cc received a charge from "Fly Away Travels". Someone else on this form also noted similar activity.

Date of experience : January 08, 2024

They are a scam

Somehow was routed from a United Airlines Customer Service number to this outfit, which proceeded to charge me additional $$ to "confirm" a flight that was "stuck" in "pending" due to a price change. Unfortunately was realistic due to their ability to access my travel record somehow. Called back to a different United Airlines # and confirmed the charge was completely unnecessary.

Date of experience : January 25, 2024

They disguise themselves as the…

They disguise themselves as the airline.. they are not. No changes you make with them will be honored with the airlines. They are a fraud and I reported them, they charged my cc card and I will get my money back but had I known they were a fraudulent company I wouldn’t be stuck at the airport for 8 hours waiting for another flight.

Date of experience : November 03, 2023

Edward was very helpful

Edward was very helpful. He helped me plan my whole itinerary, and got cheap flight tickets just that I had to spend more time in the air. Overall my experience with Fly Away Travels has been good. Thank You

Date of experience : October 27, 2023

Kam was extremely helpful in…

Kam was extremely helpful in understanding my needs and came up with a great itenary for my family vacation. Helped me with my flight and hotel booking. Extremely happy with his service.

Date of experience : September 10, 2022

Fly Away Travels is a stellar travel…

Fly Away Travels is a stellar travel agency that seamlessly transforms wanderlust into unforgettable journeys. Their commitment to personalized service sets them apart, ensuring each trip is tailor-made to fulfill dreams. The team's expertise extends beyond mere bookings, offering insightful recommendations and insider tips that elevate travel experiences. From securing the best accommodations to crafting detailed itineraries, Fly Away Travels consistently exceeds expectations. Their dedication to customer satisfaction shines through in every aspect, fostering a sense of trust and reliability. With a passion for exploration and a penchant for perfection, Fly Away Travels stands as a reliable companion for those seeking seamless, enriching travel adventures.

Date of experience : November 15, 2023

Fly Away is the one of the best travel…

Fly Away is the one of the best travel agency in the west. They would provide you the best rates for your flights. I have been using them for a year now and they have always surprised me with the proces.

Date of experience : August 03, 2023

Away Luggage Review: Are the Popular Carry-Ons Worth the Hype?

We put the internet's favorite suitcase through hours of testing to determine if it's worth buying.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

What I thought of the Away Carry-On

Should you buy away carry-on luggage, other types of away suitcases, more away travel products we like.

As an analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I have personally tested dozens of travel products, from carry-on luggage and smart suitcases to hardside luggage and travel backpacks . After putting the Away carry-on through our rigorous Lab evaluations — which include using specialized equipment to analyze scratch and water resistance, as well as an obstacle course to measure wheel performance and maneuverability — I was blown away by this bag for being impressively lightweight, scratch resistant, easy to maneuver and fitting everything in our packing tests. In fact, it landed the top spot for carry-on luggage in our roundup of the best luggage brands of 2024 .

The bottom line: Away luggage is absolutely worth investing in.

What is Away luggage?

Away is a travel gear brand that offers a variety of travel accessories, including checked suitcases , backpacks , packing cubes and weekender bags . The brand originally went viral for its carry-on featuring a removable battery that can charge your phone on the go, but Away has since stopped offering battery packs with its suitcases as most people already own portable chargers .

Away's Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On are the brand's two most popular items — they are made from the same materials and have the same features but in two different sizes. In the brand's most recent update to its luggage line, the standard Carry-On now has a slightly larger packing capacity and is a bit heavier than the previous model. I put the new standard Carry-On to the test in the Textiles Lab and I used the Bigger Carry-On during a recent vacation to find out if Away luggage is actually worth buying.

Away The Carry-On

Away The Bigger Carry-On

When it comes to luggage material, polycarbonate reigns supreme over other hardside materials like plastics. Away carry-ons are made with polycarbonate, which is extremely durable and more lightweight than metals like aluminum.

Polycarbonate bags typically ace our drop tests, which involve GH pros filling a suitcase with a set weight and releasing the luggage from a 3-foot height. We repeat this test at various angles and note any damages and imperfections. As suspected, after I dropped it from different angles using our drop tester, the Away carry-on showed no dents, damages or changes in appearance .

During testing, we also use a wire to scratch the surface of the suitcase and then rate any scuffs or marks left behind. Compared to other suitcases, Away's carry-on aced our scratch-resistance testing, showing very minimal scuffs and remaining in great condition . Because marks and scuffs are inevitable on hardside luggage, the suitcases also come with a magic eraser sponge, so you can easily buff the outside of your suitcase when scuffs appear to keep your luggage looking fresh trip after trip.

I gave Away's handles lower comfort scores, compared to the other carry-ons I tested. They felt a bit wobbly and less sturdy than other carry-on handles, and they don't offer any padding at the grip. The newest iteration of the brand's carry-on luggage features an additional underside grab handle near the wheels to help make it easier to stow and retrieve from an overhead bin.

The 360º wheels rolled easily over a variety of different surfaces when I was at the airport, including linoleum, tile and carpet. Testers agreed, finding this suitcase easy to maneuver through our obstacle course and over different floorings.

A carry-on absolutely has to hold everything you need for your vacation. Away carry-ons have massive interiors , clocking in at 39.8L for the Carry-On and 47.9L for the Bigger Carry-On. When you open the suitcase, there's equal packing space on both sides. One side is a large zippered compartment, and the other is open with compression straps to keep everything in place. There are also zippered pockets for smaller items, so nothing gets lost at the bottom of your suitcase. For ultimate organization, pair the suitcase with the brand's mesh packing cubes , which excelled in our recent packing cubes test and fit perfectly in the carry-on.

I was impressed with just how much I could fit in the Bigger Carry-On — enough for a whole week's vacation without needing a checked bag. It was easy to keep all my belongings organized, and I especially loved the included laundry bag that kept my dirty clothes separate. This bag came with a stylish leather luggage tag in a similar color to the suitcase that keeps my contact info accessible if my luggage gets lost. (Remember not to put your home address on your luggage tag and instead just your email address or phone number.) Away luggage also features TSA-compliant locks to keep your belongings protected.

Starting at $275 for the Carry-On, Away luggage isn't cheap. But for the cost, you get a sleek suitcase made with durable high-quality materials and a well-organized interior for easy packing. At a similar price to our other top-tested luggage brands, like TravelPro and Samsonite , Away carry-ons aren't the most expensive suitcases I've tested either. (Both Tumi and Rimowa carry-ons start at $650, for example.) The brand also boasts an impressive 100-day return period on unused products, so you have lots of time to decide if it's the right fit for you. Note that personalized products and final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.

If you love its chic appearance and durable polycarbonate shell, Away luggage can be worth the investment. But if you're ultimately in the market for something more affordable, I suggest checking out our top-tested picks from Target and Amazon Basics .

Besides the famous carry-ons, the brand offers a few other styles of suitcases. There are checked sizes of the polycarbonate luggage as well as aluminum styles. The checked bags are made with the same durable polycarbonate material as the carry-ons and match in appearance if you're looking to create a stylish set.

I haven't yet tested Away's aluminum carry-ons , but I am wary of the higher price tag (starting at $675) and additional weight (10.1 lbs compared to 7.5 lbs for the polycarbonate version). Beyond that, it does feature an overall similar design with 360° wheels and a telescopic handle.

Away also offers Flex styles of its polycarbonate suitcases. These suitcases expand for an additional 2.25" of space to fit all the extra goodies you bought on vacation. However, when the suitcase is fully expanded, it no longer works as carry-on luggage and must be checked. Note that this style has a higher price tag than the brand's traditional polycarbonate carry-ons.

Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

Away The Carry-On Flex

Away The Medium

Away The Large

In addition to the brand's suitcases, GH analysts have tested a variety of travel products from Away. We were especially impressed by Away's Everywhere Bag (available in standard , medium and large sizes), which held an impressive amount in our Lab tests and was a favorite among testers for its sleek look and roomy, well-organized interior. The brand recently launched a trendy quilted version too!

Away The Large Everywhere Bag

Away The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 6)

Away F.A.R Convertible Backpack 45L

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

The 7 Best Mineral Sunscreens

The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

The Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners Under $150

The 7 Best Matcha Powders

The Best At-Home Red Light Therapy Devices

The Best Innerspring Mattresses

The Best Cooling Pajamas

The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls

The Best Workout Apps

The Best Walmart Patio Furniture for Less

The Best Natural and Organic Sunscreens

Review of the updated Away The Bigger Carry-On: Same great bag, revamped features

Editor's Note

• The Away The Carry-On and the Away The Bigger Carry-On bags offer high-end luggage looks and features.
• Standout features include a handy mesh laundry compartment, fun colors, optional ejectable battery and 360-degree spinner wheels.
• However, the bag does scuff, and there are some elements to be aware of before spending close to $300.

Since it debuted in 2015, Away has become a popular luggage company with bags that are often easy to spot in every corner of an airport, from airline lounges to baggage carousels. It's almost like the iPhone of carry-on bags — simple, stylish and priced in a way that walks that line of exclusivity while simultaneously feeling affordable enough for many frequent travelers. It likely doesn't hurt Away's popularity — and visibility — that a few times a year, it unveils seasonally refreshed colors for its bags, too.

Right now, you can purchase away bags for what is likely the best deal of the year with 20% off for Black Friday . This Black Friday sale drops the price to $236 for the Away The Bigger Carry-On and $220 for the Away The Carry-On . And if someone with an Away bag refers you, that can drop the price an additional 20% as those discounts stack.

Personally, my family now has five Away bags: two child-size bags (that are no longer available) and one adult carry-on size from a limited-edition collection inspired by the northern lights as well as two of the more traditional colors and styles. The northern lights Away bag, which was beautiful when it first arrived at my door, didn't hold up very well.

But the Away The Bigger Carry-On in the coast color that Away provided for product testing a year ago and, more recently, the revamped design in olive, have both held up wonderfully overall.

Now that I've flown more than a dozen flights with the revamped Away The Carry-On in olive and spent a year and about 100,000 miles with the previous version in coast, I'm here to share my review of the Away The Bigger Carry-On bags. I'll also talk about some differences between the most recently released version and previous iterations.

What you should look for in a carry-on bag

The best carry-on bags have a few things in common. Notably, they have a sturdy handle and are easy to roll — not only on smooth airport surfaces but also on some slightly imperfect surfaces. Sometimes, taking that train to the city center and walking the rest of the way to the hotel while pulling your bag is the best course of action, and your bag needs to be able to handle that journey.

Ideally, carry-on luggage has some compartments to help keep your belongings separated and make the act of physically closing and opening the bag a bit easier. No one wants all the items that were so carefully packed exploding everywhere, thanks to gravity during the zipping and unzipping process.

The best carry-on bags don't waste a ton of weight on the bag itself and fit in airline overhead bins, pushing right up to that maximum limit allowed so you have as much packing space as possible. They're also built to withstand the harsh realities of frequently flying without becoming the ugly duckling at the baggage carousel shortly after buying them.

Related: Keep calm and carry on: TPG shares its favorite travel carry-on bags

Why we like Away's The Bigger Carry-On

Spoiler alert: After a year of using Away The Carry-On (often instead of my beloved Rimowa), I'm a fan.

While I still love my Rimowa carry-on bags that I've used for almost a decade, there is no question that the Away bag is more functional in a few ways — which is why it is now the primary bag in my rotation.

The mesh, zippered laundry compartment on one side of the bag is one of my favorite components, as it is so useful for keeping things organized and in place. The other side of the bag can then be used for packing cubes and the like, making it easy to pack, unpack and keep everything together.

In fact, the updated carry-on model released in the summer of 2023 has even more pockets and sturdier zips. It also has redesigned handles that are easier to grip and refreshed 360-degree spinner wheels.

Purchase link: Away The Bigger Carry-On

The zippers themselves are strong and easy to move, even when you may have slightly overpacked and are leaning all your weight on the top of the suitcase to get it to close while you zip it up. I absolutely do this all the time and am continually impressed at how much I can cram in there.

The 360-degree spinner wheels have made moving through the airport, along sidewalks and more basically a dream.

As someone who avoids checking a bag as much as possible, I'm particularly fond of the slightly larger size of Away's standard carry-on bag.

The Bigger Carry-On allows you to add an extra set or two of clothes or one more pair of shoes without drifting into that "must check a bag" situation. We'll get more into the exact dimensions in a bit, but this little extra room makes a noticeable difference when packing.

Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Rimowa

Things to know about The Bigger Carry-On from Away

While this bag can be thrown in and out of a cab and dragged off a carousel without a worry in terms of functionality, be prepared for some scratches on the shell. (If you really want to see the durability in action, jump to the three-minute mark of the "Kids Away Luggage review video" at the end of this article to see how we tried to destroy that bag.)

Even with normal wear and tear, scuffs can absolutely be seen on the matte material. I found some on my test bag after just the first few flights.

Additionally, I've discovered that this coast color is quite popular, as I've been in a few situations now where multiple people have had the exact same bag.

Without something clearly identifying the bag as yours, you're risking bag mix-ups. Consider getting some kind of special identifier (such as a colorful luggage tag) and toss an Apple AirTag in for good measure, just in case. Or, choose a non-traditional or limited-edition color that fewer people will have.

One thing that's no longer an option on the Away carry-on bags is the removable battery, which I think is a good thing as I get stopped frequently when boarding flights to ensure mine is removed on the bags we have that still have that slot. The bag we got over the summer of 2023 does not have that battery slot, which I consider an improvement.

Related: 15 packing hacks for traveling with just a carry-on

How Away's carry-on measures up

Regularly priced starting at $295, the Away The Bigger Carry-On from Away is currently available in 12 colors (though a few are temporarily sold out or are limited-edition options) and is sized to fit in the overhead bins on most airlines.

Some of the Away bag's features include:

• Durable polycarbonate shell
• Leather detailing, including a black leather luggage tag
• TSA-approved combination lock for extra safety
• 360-degree spinner wheels that ensure a smooth ride
• Interior compression system
• Hidden laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate
• Underside grab handle (new to the 2023 model)

The Bigger Carry-On that I've been trying out has the following measurements:

• Exterior: 22.7 inches by 15.4 inches by 9.6 inches
• Interior: 20.9 inches by 15 inches by 7.9 inches
• Weight: 7.4 pounds
• Capacity: 47.9 liters

For reference, Delta Air Lines , American Airlines and United Airlines all have posted maximum carry-on sizes of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, which is technically a hair smaller than this bag on all sides.

In practice, on most flights, a bag that is a fraction of an inch over will still fit in the sizer and in the overhead bin. Still, know that there is a possibility that you may need to gate-check your bag .

Southwest Airlines currently has a maximum carry-on size of 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches, which means this larger carry-on does officially comply with that carrier's baggage dimension limits.

Away The Carry-On vs. Away The Bigger Carry-On

The two main differences between the Away The Carry-On and the Away The Bigger Carry-On are price and size.

The standard Away carry-on bag is usually about $20 cheaper than the Bigger version, at $275 instead of $295 (prices vary by color and exact model). Additionally, the traditional Away The Carry-On measures 21.7 inches by 14.4 inches by 9 inches, meaning it is smaller than the maximum carry-on size requirements for all major U.S. airlines, unlike the Bigger version. In the U.S., that difference isn't likely to cause issues most of the time, though it may be problematic when flying carriers internationally.

As someone who stuffs their carry-on to the brim, the additional capacity in The Bigger Carry-On is worth it.

But if you don't find yourself needing every square inch in your carry-on, then getting The Carry-On will save you a few dollars and be sure to keep you within the posted airline carry-on size limits.

Related: Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?

Overall impression

Even with the scuff marks that just happen over time, my Away suitcases still look pretty good.

I love the more voluminous Bigger version. I'm also a sucker for the zippered side of the bag that makes organizing — especially in conjunction with packing cubes — a cinch. And in perhaps the best test of all, my kids will pretty much only pull the Away bags on the rare occasion that some of our other bags are in the mix at the airport because they roll so much easier than all of our other luggage brands.

The new version that came out in 2023 is even better, especially with that handy spot to grip when pulling in or out of the overhead bins.

We're pretty much a fully Away bag family at this point, as they are the right balance of quality, style, durability and price. I give it a big thumbs up if you are in the market for a new carry-on bag this year.

Read on for more tips on finding the right piece of travel gear for you:

• Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Roam
• These are the 11 best travel fanny packs for easy, hands-free travel
• 10 must-have travel accessories for less than $15
• These are the checked bags carried by TPG's staff
• Is expensive luggage worth it?

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

The 15 Biggest Travel Scams, and How to Avoid Them

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

You know that old saying “there’s a sucker born every minute”? Don’t be one of them. Stay ahead of these surprisingly effective travel scams to keep your vacation plans from falling apart. The schemes below may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to travel cons, but preparing yourself for these common swindles is a good place to start.

Vacation Clubs

Wholesale travel clubs claim that you’ll have access to incredibly cheap vacations if you join. However, once you pay the joining fees, you find that the deals offered aren’t any better than what you can find for yourself online—for free. Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott , whose book Scammed lays out a helpful roadmap for being a responsible and effective shopper in a world of corporate swindles, has told SmarterTravel: “I’ve never come across a legitimate travel club. My advice is to run, don’t walk.”

Elliott advises that anyone considering joining a travel club do research with a very critical eye beforehand. Simply doing an internet search for the name of the travel company plus “travel scam” will usually reveal a host of problems experienced by other members. Also check the Better Business Bureau for complaints about the specific service before you buy.

Timeshare Sales

Ed Perkins, a longtime contributing editor at SmarterTravel, calls the up-front fees for selling your timeshare the biggest travel scam out there.

“Scammers promise to get you out from under, saying they have buyers, but all they really do is take a fee, upward of $400, and do nothing,” says Perkins.

Never pay up front to have someone help you sell your timeshare. If you want out, go to a licensed company and check them out with the Better Business Bureau before listing with them. If you’re having trouble getting out of your timeshare , work with a rental company and rent it out to recoup some of the money until you can sell.

Vacation Certificates

Ed Perkins also warns against prepaid vacation certificates: “Travel scams promise really great prices but deliver nothing. The idea here is to get the up-front money, then keep stalling: ‘Sorry, these dates are sold out; try again soon.’ They delay until people just quit trying.” Or the company charges huge additional fees to redeem the certificates, and the trip is considerably less luxurious than promised. Before prepaying for a vacation package, be sure to research fees and blackout dates, as well as the company’s reputation.

“Travel-Agent” Card Mills

Ah, the life of travel agents. Cheap hotels and airfares are thrown at their feet once they pull out their travel-agent ID cards, right? Wrong. Don’t believe the hype from outfits that promise to issue you a travel-agent ID that provides access to discounts. Scammers charge hundreds of dollars for these cards, but victims who shell out will quickly find that no place will accept the fakes, and they never see any discounts. The only way to avoid this travel scam is to not buy a travel-agent card if you’re not a travel agent—there’s really no legal way to get around it.

Car-Rental Collision Damage Waivers

Rick Steves calls the car-rental collision damage waivers (CDW) a “collision damage waiver racket” for a reason. When you rent a car, the company often pressures you to buy a CDW supplement, which will prevent you from having to pay a high insurance deductible if the car is damaged. (The deductible can be thousands of dollars before insurance kicks in.)

But most major credit cards already include deductible collision coverage for free , so check your credit-card terms and pay for the rental car with your credit card. Then you’ll be covered without having to shell out extra cash for phony insurance. Most credit-card collision coverage is secondary, meaning you have to claim from your regular insurance first. If you don’t want a claim on your insurance, you can buy third-party primary collision coverage from the booking agency for about $10-$11 a day. Or, if it’s pricey, you can instead buy coverage from an independent outlet; sites like Bonzah.com offer rental coverage from $7.99 per day. That’s about one-third of what the rental companies charge.

“You Won a Free Trip!”

If you’ve ever dropped your business card in a “win a free trip” drawing at a restaurant or signed up to win at a fair, you may have gotten a phone call, letter, or email claiming you’ve won a free vacation. These days, the hustle is often via robocall. Be wary—many of these “prizes” are actually booby traps in which you’ll have to pay hefty fees to claim the vacation or give your credit card number to “verify your eligibility,” resulting in identity theft. After a recent lull in monitoring these robocalls, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is again cracking down on them. If you’re scammed, get the names of resorts and airlines included in the prize and call them independently to verify the trip. Never give credit card information to someone who cold-calls you, and be sure to get details of the prize in writing before accepting.

Fake International Driving Permits

The FTC also warns against fake International Driving Permits (IDPs) . Some countries require tourists to have an IDP in addition to a U.S. driver’s license. However, there are only two American associations that are legally authorized to issue IDPs—the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Fraudulent companies sell fake IDPs over the Internet, but you’ll pay hundreds of dollars for a permit only to face legal problems for using the imposter IDs in another country.

The Bait and Switch

The hotel you’re thinking of booking is suspiciously cheap, but the property’s website makes it look beautiful and centrally located. When you arrive, the hotel is run-down, missing amenities, and in a deserted part of town—and it won’t refund your money. Avoid this travel scam by using websites like Oyster (one of SmarterTravel’s sister sites) and TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent site) to read real customer reviews and see honest photos of the property.

“Grandparent” Travel Scams

Even if you’re not currently traveling, you can still be the victim of a travel scam: The State Department warns that scammers will call an older relative or friend of someone who’s away on vacation and pretend to be the traveler in desperate need of help. The scammer usually poses as the traveler or a foreign government official and directs the victim to wire a large sum of money, citing an array of things: They have been robbed and need money to return to the United States, or they have run into legal trouble and need bail money. Sometimes the scammer will even pretend to be someone from the U.S. embassy calling on behalf of the relative for money. Never wire money in response to a suspicious phone call; instead contact the State Department to ask if the situation is legitimate, or call your relative directly. If you encounter this scam, the FBI advises you report it to local authorities or a state consumer protection agency. You can also file a complaint with the FCC .

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) offers the following advice to prevent “grandparent” travel scams:

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mothers’ maiden names, passwords, or other identifying information in response to suspicious calls or to callers demanding immediate action. Scammers can spoof the caller ID of their number to make it appear to be from a trusted source. If a caller claiming to represent a company or a government agency asks for personal information, hang up and verify the authenticity of the request by contacting the company or agency yourself, using information found on its official website or through other means such as the phone book. If a caller claims to represent a company with which you have an account—such as a utility or a bank—hang up and check the contact information on a recent bill or statement, then call the company back yourself.

Rental Property Scam

Rule of thumb: Never go to Craigslist (or anything similar) for a rental home. Scammers will place an ad and ask the victim to wire money to secure the vacation rental—and then disappear. Or they’ll have you send money to them rather than to the actual property owner. Avoid the rental scam risk by going through a reputable vacation rental site with protections and insurance guarantees such as Airbnb , HomeAway , or SmarterTravel’s sister site FlipKey , all of which will protect your money from fraudsters.

Bogus Travel Agents

Don’t trust a tour operator or packager you don’t know of or can’t find reviews of easily online—especially with a big payment. An even more worrisome version of these travel scams in the U.S. is fake versions of websites: You search for a hotel or tour and get through to what looks like a legitimate website from a known company. But it isn’t: It’s a copy-cat version run by a scamster who paid a lot of money for a good search engine position. At best, after you make a payment, the hotel will honor your reservation—but probably at a higher price than you should have paid. At worst, you get nothing.

Take a close look at the website’s URL. Unsure if it’s right? Do a new search to find the company’s homepage and compare it to the first half of the link—any rogue characters, numbers, or symbols might mean it’s a fake. You should also never pay for a service via wire transfer, or any other irreversible money-transfer system.

Currency Short-Changing

A longstanding travel scam relies on tourists’ unfamiliarity with a foreign currency. This can take various forms: counterfeit bills, miscounting change, mixing smaller bills into what should be a pile of larger notes, etc. Get to know the bills of any country you visit, and limit the amount of foreign currency you exchange and have with you at any time. Get your foreign currency from an ATM, and put all your big-ticket purchases on a credit card.

Counterfeit Event Tickets

These days, high-tech forging can make almost any piece of paper or cardboard look authentic. Don’t buy a high-priced ticket (or even a low-priced one) to a sold-out event from someone on the street or via an unfamiliar website. You might be turned away at the gate. Buy from an authorized source—the box office or an online dealer that’s a verified reseller.

Fake Tour Guides

Have you ever been walking in a tourist-frequented area and had someone approach you offering to be your guide? Of course, you would have no idea in this situation whether this person has any useful knowledge of the city, but you may be coaxed into a nearby store that they claim offers the “best” prices on local specialties.

Pre-arrange a guide through an official tourism office or a local travel agency so you can compare prices and know what you’re getting. I once arranged the best local guide I ever had through an American Express agency. A university history professor showed us the fantastic National Museum of Damascus in Syria.

Credit Card Fraud

One of many potential credit card fraud risks is the familiar “verification call” gambit. In this travel scam, within a few hours of checking into a hotel, you get a call from someone claiming to be at the front desk to “verify” the details of the card you used. Of course, that caller is a scammer with no connection to the hotel who just wants to get your card data. In this and any other situations, be highly suspicious of anyone who calls you asking for credit or debit card information, no matter how plausible the excuse may seem. Tell the caller you’ll be right down to settle the problem, and instead call a known number, like the hotel’s direct line, to settle whatever account is involved.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Avoid Counterfeit Money While Traveling
• 6 Cruise Scams You Should Never Fall For
• Europe Travel Scams to Watch Out For

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2012. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Caroline Morse Teel and Ed Perkins contributed to this story.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Porto to Lisbon: 7-Nt, Small-Group Portugal...

Indus Travels

Luxe, 12-Night Spain, France, Monaco &...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Are Away Carry-Ons Worth the Hype?

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

In the past, we have not been fans of hard-sided luggage.

Hard-sided suitcases are not (despite what many may think) tougher than their soft-sided counterparts. But they do have attributes that some people may value over durability.

Hard-shell bags usually weigh less than fabric ones, and they come in far more colors, prints, and textures.

So if, for whatever reason, you prefer a hard-shell case, we recommend the  Away Carry-On after seven years of testing hard-sided suitcases.

Away The Carry-On

The best hard-sided carry-on suitcase.

This is a great-looking, resilient piece of hard-sided luggage, with top-of-the-line components—including sturdy zippers and the smoothest wheels we tested—at a decent price.

Buying Options

If you want the look and lighter weight of a hard-sided bag, the Away Carry-On is our choice. Weighing 7.6 pounds and able to hold nearly 40 liters, this bag stood out among competitors for its high-end components, such as sturdy zippers and the best-rolling wheels of any bag we tested. We liked the wide array of available colors and the strong yet flexible polycarbonate shell. Polycarbonate shells will always show more wear than soft-sided luggage. But after using multiple models over seven years, our testers found that the Away had endured most of the trials of traveling, with only a few scratches. Away bags are also backed by a lifetime limited warranty , which covers you for cracks in the shell and any broken hardware (wheels, handles, and zippers).

The research

Should you choose a hard-sided or soft-sided carry-on, is the away bag really the best hard-sided carry-on, our pick: away the carry-on, the competition.

I recommend soft-sided luggage for most people . This is a conclusion I’ve come to over nine years of testing bags, traveling with them, and interviewing travel experts, flight attendants, baggage handlers, and luggage designers. Soft-sided luggage picks up fewer scuffs and marks, and it generally provides multiple pockets and compartments, so it’s more adaptable to individual travel habits.

The ubiquitous clamshell design of a hard-sided case makes packing and unpacking clumsy. Split into two sections, the entire case splays out when you open it, which can be particularly awkward in confined spaces, such as small hotel rooms. It’s tricky to pack two shallow, equal-size compartments if you have large or bulky items. Counterintuitively, hard-sided luggage also lacks rigidity when it’s not fully packed, and most hard-sided designs lack external pockets.

So why would anybody still want a such a bag? Because hard-sided suitcases look great. They come in bold colors and patterns that soft-sided luggage is incapable of matching. The bags are sleek and minimal; they typically weigh less than fabric shells; and they’re as unencumbered by any pedestrian concerns over exterior pockets as the lithe influencer gliding through your Instagram feed is by traditional employment opportunities.

Okay, you want a hard-sided suitcase. Walk through any airport today and the Away’s popularity is self-evident. But Away is not the only brand out there creating a minimalist, hard-shelled piece of luggage. Which of these new pieces of luggage—deliriously engineered to make millennials pull out their wallets—are actually worth your money?

Bags like these have a few traits in common. They’re nearly always made of polycarbonate (that is, synthetic resin), although the less expensive models may use acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics or blends of ABS plastic and polycarbonate to form their shells. (Polycarbonate is lighter and more flexible and has higher impact resistance than ABS.) These bags usually have a clamshell design—that is, they split down the middle and close with a zipper or locking hinge—and they normally come with four wheels, rather than two.

It’s difficult to know the strength of polycarbonate shells, and it’s difficult to test them. We can assess the flexibility, relative weight, and composition of the material, and take into account the brand’s reputation, but that’s only enough to give us a rough idea of the limits of these suitcases. Our primary goal here, however, wasn’t to find the strongest luggage. Instead, we wanted to figure out which bag was the best to pack and the best to travel with, and which was ultimately worth the price.

We chose seven models that we felt best represented this category of minimalist luggage: the Away Carry-On , the Muji Adjustable Handle Suitcase (since discontinued), Arlo Skye’s The Frame Carry-On , Lojel’s Cubo Medium , Herschel’s Trade Luggage Carry-On (since discontinued), Calpak’s Ambeur Carry-On , and the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage - 24-Inch . We compared the bags’ layouts, the comfort of their handles, and their looks, and then narrowed down the list to our top four candidates. I’ve traveled intermittently with the Away since 2016. Over the years, we had additional testers travel with models of the Away, the Muji, the AmazonBasics, and the Arlo Skye.

I’ve tested the Away Carry-On for seven years now and have also lent the bag to several friends and frequent travelers to see how they would enjoy using it. The minimalism of the Away bag stands out among the other hard-sided suitcases we tested. There is (despite the impracticality) a peculiar comfort that comes from carrying a suitcase without external pockets. Everything you are traveling with is packed away in a single brick. The simplicity of the design, the matte texture of the plastic, the luxurious quality of the interior liner—all of it invites you to believe that there’s one less thing to worry about while you’re traveling.

The Away bag itself feels good in your hands, and its wheels are noticeably better than those of any other bag we tested, except for those on the Muji. Away formerly used YKK zippers, but as of 2023, the company is sourcing its zippers from a number of suppliers. We’ll keep an eye on how the zippers of newer Away bags perform. We also liked the compatible packing cubes sold by Away , which are shaped to fit perfectly into the bags’ beveled corners.

The Away’s polycarbonate feels similar to that used in more high-end suitcases, such as the Rimowa Cabin S, which is twice as expensive as the Away. The polycarbonate that Away uses is both strong and flexible. When we first started testing the Away, seven years ago, we found that flexibility to be a liability, especially on airport carpets—the Away tended to flex into itself and jam up its own wheels when we pushed it in front of us. But the company seems to have fixed that problem—I haven’t experienced it with any of the latest models of this suitcase.

Away makes a similar model of suitcase with an expandable zipper, The Carry-On Flex . For all intents and purposes, the Flex is the same overall bag as the standard Carry-On except for the expanding center zipper and the price (it’s $50 more; also, the Carry-On original does go on sale more frequently). Personally, I’m not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases. It feels like potentially just one more thing to break. But some people may prefer having the extra flexibility.

The Away has the most pleasant online ordering experience. Pick your size, pick your color, and wait for your luggage to arrive at your door. If you want a set of luggage that nests within itself like a set of Russian dolls, Away’s regular Carry-On and The Medium  checked bag can both be stacked into  The Large  checked bag. If you need only a single carry-on but want a larger option, The Bigger Carry-On gives you 8 more liters of space than the Carry-On, which holds almost 40 liters.

Like many hard-sided cases we tested, the Away has an optional removable battery and external USB ports for charging. However, we still aren’t convinced that your luggage needs to have a battery inside. Portable batteries are cheap and come in a bunch of sizes , but they’re useful on a plane only when they’re close to you. The quick-release latch on the Away’s battery compartment made it the easiest to access the encased batteries that we tested. But it’s ultimately still just a fancy place to put a portable battery. (It’s also begging to be forgotten if your bag ends up getting gate-checked, which is unadvisable .) And without quick-charging USB-PD ports, the Away battery is also a step behind more-current models. In short, we think you’ll be happier buying a battery separately and keeping it in your pocket or your under-seat bag.

The Away is covered by a lifetime limited warranty that should cover you in the event of any large failure, such as the shell cracking or the zipper breaking. (Cosmetic damage isn’t included.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Our complaints about the Away mirror the complaints we’ve always had with hard-sided luggage, beyond any decreased durability. The clamshell design of all of these bags, which split down the middle and open into two parts, makes them frustrating to pack and unpack. Packing cubes help a bit, but after years of packing and unpacking soft-sided luggage with single lids, I definitely find a clamshell design to be more finicky. If you want or need a single compartment, you’ll prefer soft-sided luggage.

Ultimately, what I’ve found is that those who loved the bag went into testing it already wanting to love it. And those who disliked the bag resented it before they even held it. But if you’ve decided that the bag’s sleek aesthetic and simple, uncomplicated design will make you feel calmer while you travel, you probably won’t be disappointed.

Dimensions: 21.7 by 13.7 by 9 inches Weight: 7.6 pounds Capacity: 39.8 liters

We found it hard to square The Frame Carry-On , from Arlo Skye, with its price, which is $200 higher than the Away’s. It’s a decent piece of luggage, but at that price you could spend a bit more for one of our soft-sided luggage upgrade picks from Briggs & Riley , which would be a much better suitcase all around.

Although we liked the uncommon top-loading design of the Lojel Cubo Medium , the internal organization of the lid made packing it difficult. We also weren’t impressed by the Lojel’s zippered expansion system, which made the suitcase feel bulkier than our picks.

The Herschel Trade Luggage Carry-On is a little less expensive than the Away carry-on, but we preferred the Away’s more solid feel. If this bag were half the price, it would be a more competitive choice. (It’s now discontinued.)

The Calpak Ambeur Carry-on is fine but not great. We ultimately aren’t impressed with how the Calpak handled—it felt jittery on normal airport-floor surfaces.

The AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage - 24-Inch is a surprisingly good bag for just over $100. However, as with the Calpak bag, the weaker ABS plastic shell is just not as tough as a polycarbonate shell. We think it’s worth investing a little more in your luggage. Your suitcase will last longer and work better.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

Everything You Need for a Day at the Pool

by Ganda Suthivarakom

In this week’s newsletter: The dog days of summer are here, so get out and enjoy the water while it’s still hot.

The Best Bag and Cable Organizers

by Kaitlyn Wells

Always losing cables, SD cards, and tubes of lip balm in the depths of your backpack? A bag organizer will help you corral what you carry every day.

The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

by Lauren Dragan

The Soundcore Space A40 true wireless earbuds perform so well, it’s hard to believe they’re priced so affordably.

The Best Carry-On Luggage

by Kit Dillon

After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry.

The 7 Away Luggage Pieces We Recommend Most

By Rachel Chang

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I distinctly remember the moment I first laid my eyes on an Away suitcase . One of my coworkers had been talking nonstop about her new carry-on, and before heading out of town one day, she rolled the hard-shell spinner into the office. Like a proud new homeowner, she took our team on a tour through its features, leaving me mesmerized by its built-in compression straps and portable battery pack, as well as its stylish and sturdy design.

Though awestruck, I didn't immediately purchase my own; I was never one to invest in baggage—and the introductory price—$225 when it first hit the market—was beyond what I thought luggage was worth at the time. Following an ill-fated journey to Australia , in which I found my checked bag split open on the baggage carousel, the zipper having burst after I overstuffed it, I knew it was time to upgrade.

My first Away bag was The Bigger Carry-On , and despite having previously thought of luggage as glorified boxes to transport my travel essentials, I was immediately obsessed. For an overpacker, I was surprised how much I could stuff into the suitcase. Constantly slipping in “just one more” thing in, the zipper always held tight and the shell showed no signs of bulging. While on the go, the light glide of the wheels could tackle any surface, even cobblestone streets. Plus, the sleek, minimalist design just jived with me.

Shown in green

Being the space hog I am, I later upgraded to The Bigger Carry-On Flex , which added an extra 2.25 inches of expansion, meaning even I was able to go on a two-week trip with just a carry-on . As much as I’ve banged it around and overstuffed it, it’s remained impervious to my abuse.

These days, I often see other brands trying to mimic Away's features—a sign of just how much it’s changed the luggage industry. What makes it all the more surprising is that Away is still a relatively new company, having roared onto the market in 2015, with one simple goal: understanding travelers.

“From the beginning, we set out to expand the conversation around travel, solving real world travel pain points by keeping an incredibly close pulse on our customer’s needs,” Away’s chief marketing officer Carla Dunham says. “We dissected and developed a solution to all of the common headaches of travel while revolutionizing what it meant to be a travel brand.”

Founded by two female former Warby Parker executives, including Jen Rubio, who still serves as the CEO, Away was sparked by her own broken baggage disaster, noticing there was a hole in the market for luggage that was fun and functional.

After talking to hundreds of travelers, the initial carry-on was designed to meet all the most common needs—a lighter and stronger hard-side with an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell that moved easily with premium 360-degree wheels, with thoughtful features like a snap-in mesh laundry bag to keep clean to separate clean and dirty laundry, and a removable battery pack to eliminate the fight for the airport outlets.

The result wasn’t just success—the brand quickly entered the zeitgeist. Stars from Margot Robbie to Mandy Moore were spotted toting them , and Meghan Markle is believed to have given 17 Away bags as party favors at her baby shower. They've turned up on screen, too. Dunham says her favorite pop culture moment was when Portia tossed her Away away in The White Lotus. “It seemed so natural that she had an Away suitcase and that spoke to the brand’s unique position in culture and continued relevance.”

Since launch, the price points for the standard editions—which now start at $315 for The Carry-On and go up to $475 for the newly introduced The Trunk —have gone up, and are a notch above what casual or new travelers may be used to paying, but are still fairly reasonably priced for the suitcases' quality.

The brand has ventured into other travel accessories since launch, too, with both hits ( packing cubes ) and misses (travel pillows, now discontinued)—and added an outdoor collection, F.A.R., last year . It continues to evolve based on the needs of the moment. With the growing number of power outlets available on flights and around airport terminals these days, Away just phased out its distinctive built-in battery charger from its core product last month, as part of its first major refresh of its original classics line .

“Each update is incredibly intentional—from the improved features like a redesigned zipper shape, additional interior organization, and an updated trolley system, to the fresh color palette and new gloss finish, underscores how we obsess over every detail to make the journey smoother for our customers,” Dunham says.

As the brand continues to evolve, more updates and new products are sure to come, but some of the products remain staples. Here, we round up the Condé Nast Traveler team’s most-used Away bags and accessories.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler' s first-ever Luggage Week , for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

Weight: 7.9 lbs. Dimensions: 23" x 15" x 10" Capacity: 47.9L

A recent convert from a larger suitcase that often had to be checked, editorial assistant Jessica Chapel says the refreshed Bigger Carry-On suitcase “does wonders,” especially since she can fit almost as much in this more compact hardside spinner, which she recently took on a five-day trip with plenty of room to spare. She’s already traveled with the 7.9-pound bag by plane, bus, and car, and put it to the test when delays allowed her only 15 minutes to get between gates. She swiftly pulled the bag out of the overhead compartment thanks to “the perfect mix of convenient handle placements and the texture of the luggage,” put the bag on top of her head—an unconventional carrying method, to be sure—and sailed through the crowd. “It's the little things, including the unique placement of the luggage's underside handle—with a small dash of adrenaline—that certainly does the trick for easy access without any shuffle, which is exactly what's needed in an airport rush,” Chapel says. (She made her connecting flight in the knick of time.)

Also notable, she says: the interior lining, mesh, and drawstring laundry for dirty clothes (no longer snapped, as part of the refresh), are made of recycled polyester. Deputy global editorial director Jesse Ashlock concurs, having depended on the classic version for more than three years now, calling it a “solid workhorse polycarbonate bag that suits a lot of different trip styles.” I recently tried the updated version of The Bigger Carry-On, and was able to pack enough for a weeklong California getaway; I am especially loving the additional inner pockets to keep my essentials more organized.

Weight: 10.4 lbs. Dimensions: 26" x 19" x 11" Capacity: 68.8L

During a two-week car trip to Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard, destinations editorial assistant Charlie Hobbs brought along the “perfectly light” 10.4-pound medium check-in sized hardside, able to fit enough in to not have to do laundry the entire getaway. The interior of the upgraded version—which he found “unassuming”—includes more storage pockets: The compression flap, which used to have just one large zipper mesh compartment, is now divided into two zippered sections on one side with an added large pocket on the backside. Additionally, the zipper closure for the top half of the suitcase now has a zippered pocket on it. He also noticed what’s perhaps the most commonly called-out downfall of Away’s hardsides: “Despite only ever being in the car, this bag is already quite scuffed up,” he said. (When I was in Estonia with two other travel writers last month, looking at our three Away bags, we commented the same thing.) Each suitcase does come with Away's own version of a Magic Eraser that helps remove light scuffs, though a bit of elbow grease might be needed to get them out. That said, Hobbs found the 360-degree wheels rolled “perfectly well” and appreciated the new ergonomic curved zippers. Like Chapel, he found the luggage easy to lift up in a bind, when he had to put it on the roof of a Toyota for a ferry ride, noting it was easy to sling it up, “thanks to the side handles.”

Weight: 8.15 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (not expanded) Capacity: 39.8L

“The joy of this luggage is its simplicity,” global director of audience development Lara Kramer says. At 8.15 pounds, this model has the expandable 2.25-inches of zipper space going from 39.8 liter capacity to 46.7 liters, providing “the luxury of expanding to add more room if needed,” she adds. She and her husband both use it as their carry-on suitcase—in part because it moves so well, “gliding smoothly and easily with its 360-degree spinner wheels.” Otherwise, she finds the other features “pretty straightforward,” also noting the issue of the exterior scuffing “very easily,” especially noticeable on a dark suitcase. “They're generally surface scuffs and not hard to buff out, but against the black color, it can look pretty jarring,” she adds. That said, Kramer says, “I still truly love this piece and it has continued to hold up despite many uses.”

Weight: 2.45 lbs. Dimensions: 12" x 6" x 18" Capacity: 20L

Simplicity comes first with this water-resistant nylon backpack, available in five subtle monochromatic shades, that CNT editors have called “functional” with “a classic look that you won’t tire of.” As a freelancer whose backpack is her office, that timeless look also means the backpack strikes the right balance of being professional (I’ve toted it to business meetings and events), travel-friendly (I’ve also taken it on day trips to the Jersey Shore and Long Island), and casual (it’s also doubled as my exercise bag for spin class). When I got caught in the rain at the US Open in New York, the raindrops wicked right off, and the bag's contents stayed dry. But my two favorite magic tricks of this bag are the extended clamshell-style zipper, which opens the main compartment and makes it just as easy to take something out of the bottom as the top, and the bag's weight distribution. Whether it’s the padded straps or the mesh back panel, it somehow makes the contents feel lighter—I’ve stopped at least twice to make sure my laptop was actually inside the 15-inch sleeve. Plus, the thoughtful number of pockets are great for storing little essentials.

Weight: 1.74 lbs. Dimensions: 19" x 13" x 8" Capacity: 26L

When it comes to travel backpacks, I’m far pickier than with luggage. I need an uber-spacious main compartment and every zipper and pocket needs to be just in place—so much so that I used the same ratty old Vans Off the Wall one for well over a decade. While I recently tested out a new Tumi backpack, I never liked the placements of its pockets. Enter the F.A.R. Backpack 26L. The main compartment is deep and wide open, yet still has a slip pocket in the back for my laptop. Hidden behind it is another zippered compartment that fits a 15-inch device. The front pocket is surprisingly roomy too, with tons of organizational pockets—plus, there are two water bottle side pockets, each able to hold a 32-ounce container. Add to that the fact the entire bag is only 1.74 pounds and it still fits under the seat in front of me on planes.

While the Everywhere Zip may be sufficient for day trips, personally, I do need the space of the 26-liter bag to fit my basic travel essentials for anything that includes an overnight stay. Plus the shell is tougher for more rugged travels, whether it's outdoor adventures or multi-stop itineraries, where it may be subject to more use. That said, I am still learning to trust mine completely. On two occasions, the zipper has opened on its own and I didn't realize until contents spilled out. But both times were when I was leaving hotels in a rush, so it's possible I didn't properly zip it.

Weight (full set): 0.7 lbs.

Dimensions: Small: 10" x 4" x 8" Medium slim: 10" x 4" x 4" Medium wide: 13" x 4" x 10" Large: 13" x 4" x 7"

Before I tried Away’s packing cubes, I was a skeptic of the travel accessory as a whole. Other cubes I had seen were either bulky, or felt rough, cheap, and pointless. Admittedly, when I first saw this innocuous set from Away, I was still doubtful. But as it turns out, this set of four nylon water-resistant zip bags with one mesh side are as subtle as they are useful. In the smallest one, I’m able to stuff in all my “just in case” accessories—a foldable running cap, beanie, scarf, gloves, and swimsuit, and tuck it into a teeny corner of the suitcase. The medium slim is perfect for organizing my underwear, packing them vertically, Marie Kondo–style , while the medium wide fits my bras, tanks, and socks. The final one, the large slim, rotates between storing pairs of shoes or other bulky items. They all fit together like Legos in my suitcase, weighing a combined 0.7 pounds—well worth it for keeping me organized on the go.

Weight: .8 oz. Dimensions: 6" x 8" x 3" Capacity: 0.5 gal.

When I first got this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever use it. It wasn’t quite a dry sack, it wasn’t quite a travel pouch. It was an in-between hybrid that I saw no practical use for. But then one day when I was running out the door, holding too many chargers in my hands, I tossed them in there—and it’s become my go-to tech accessories bag, traveling with me both on trips and in my everyday life. Made of water-resistant recycled ripstop nylon, it repels accidental spills (mostly coffee, in my case), but is so thin and sturdy that it doesn’t take up much space. The recycled nylon handle also makes it easy to grab when I’m trying to fish it out of my bag. Use it for chargers and cords, toiletries, or any other odds and ends, and know that there are small and large versions if you want a full set.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Luggage + Bags
• Suitcases + Duffel Bags

The Best Away Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Away is one of the best brands in the business, so we tried more than 20 pieces to see why.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks

Other Away Luggage We Liked

Our testing process.

• Tips For Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

If you look around any airport, you'll likely see at least one Away suitcase in the crowd of travelers hustling to catch their flight. Our team of travel editors is often asked if Away luggage is worth it, so we tested various pieces of Away luggage in our Travel + Leisure lab and on our travels to find out if it's worth the hype.

We packed each suitcase and bag, wheeled them through obstacle courses, threw them off of tabletops, and hit each bag with a baseball bat. We also recreated an airplane in our lab to lift carry-ons into overhead bins and place personal items underneath seats. After we completed our rigorous testing, it was clear which bags stood out and which fell flat, and we will continue testing each bag for a period of six months to make sure our favorites hold up. From carry-ons and checked bags to duffels and backpacks, here is the best Away luggage, according to testing.

Best Carry-on

Away the carry-on.

The bag is compact, but it can fit a surprising number of items.

It's not expandable, so you have to be intentional about what you pack.

Away has several different carry-on options, but nothing is as good as the original. The brand's iconic carry-on bag blew us away in testing due to its inconspicuously large interior that fit everything on our packing list with room to spare. We were able to neatly organize and pack enough clothing, shoes, and accessories for a week-long trip. The clamshell-style suitcase has two spacious compartments with a compression flap on one side and a large mesh pocket on the other flap. Measuring 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches, this carry-on is more compact than others on the market, but the tough polycarbonate exterior has plenty of give to pack it full, despite not having expandable zippers. The lightweight suitcase rolls like a dream with 360-degree spinning wheels, and the handles on the top, side, and bottom make it a breeze the lift the bag in the most convenient way. If you're in search of a carry-on, this champion bag is worth every penny in our opinion.

The Details: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | 7.5 pounds | 39.8-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Not expandable

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best Checked Bag

Away the medium flex.

• Organization 5 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

The expandable zipper adds extra space when needed.

It scuffed a bit during testing.

While Away has several sizes for checked bags, we are obsessed with the Medium Flex after it proved to have superior versatility compared to other sizes. It's small enough to not feel cumbersome to roll or lift, but the expandable zipper adds tons of space if needed for a longer trip. We had no issues packing the bag with enough clothing for up to two weeks of traveling with the help of the expanding zipper and compression flap on one side of the clamshell suitcase. When the bag was packed full, the 360-degree spinner wheels rolled effortlessly across smooth and rough surfaces, and the adjustable handle was sturdy enough to push and pull the packed bag with ease. The polycarbonate exterior sustained a few minor scuffs in testing, but luckily, the suitcase comes with a sponge to buff out scuffs, so we still applauded the durability of the bag. The bag is quite popular since its recent launch, so it's currently out of stock but will come back soon.

The Details: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | 10.8 pounds | 68.8-liter capacity; 75.7-liter capacity when expanded | Polycarbonate | Expandable

Away The Trunk

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5

The unique 30/70 design makes it easy to pack bulky items in the deeper section of the bag.

With a 107-liter capacity, it's easy to overpack the bag with more than 50 pounds.

Don't let the unique shape of Away's trunk prevent you from giving it a try because once you start using it, you might not want to go back to a regular checked bag (trust us, we know from experience). The 30/70 split design means one side is much deeper, which is super helpful for packing bulky items like jeans, shoes, and jackets, or filling it with packing cubes . The tall, narrow shape makes the bag impressively easy to maneuver between obstacles, and it's much easier to store in a storage closet since it takes up less room. Best of all, it has a whopping 107-liter capacity for storing enough items for a two- to three-week-long trip. However, you'll want to keep an eye on the baggage weight as you pack since it can be easy to go over the 50-pound limit with the massive capacity.

The Details: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 12.1 pounds | 107-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Not expandable

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Best Aluminum

Away the bigger carry-on: aluminum edition.

Away Travel

• Organization 4.8 /5
• Maneuverability 4.8 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5

The aluminum material is protective and effortlessly stylish.

Aluminum is prone to denting and quite heavy.

If you're looking to travel in style, this stunning aluminum carry-on is the perfect balance of polished and protective. In testing, we found that the bag could fit everything in our packing list for a week's worth of traveling, and while it is spacious, you cannot overpack it because it has latches instead of zippers, so it doesn't have any expandability. This suitcase also has impressive features like a charging port (USB charger included) to charge your portable devices and slow-release handles. Despite the heavier weight of the aluminum bag, the spinner wheels handle the extra bulk with ease, and the suitcase rolls just as smoothly. When we hit the suitcase with a metal baseball bat to test durability, the shell dented fairly easily. However, since that is the nature of aluminum, we didn't shave off any points in that category because the material is also the most reliable and protective, so we deemed it a fair trade-off.

The Details: 22.7 x 14.5 x 9.6 inches | 11.2 pounds | 40.9-liter capacity | Aluminum | Not expandable

Best Weekender

Away the everywhere bag.

• Portability 3.5 /5

The bag is sleek, stylish, and lightweight enough to carry through a busy airport.

The 20-liter capacity might not be big enough for more than a weekend away, but it also comes in a larger size.

Whether used as a personal item or overnight bag, this duffel boasts the brand's minimalist and sleek aesthetic. Ideal for a night or two away from home, the 20-liter bag has a long zipper that extends down the sides, which makes it easy to see what you're placing inside the main compartment. The weekender has various pockets for staying organized, including a padded laptop pocket up to 15 inches wide, a key leash, and several slip pockets for earbuds or pens. Made with a lightweight but durable nylon material, this bag is extremely lightweight and comfortable to carry with the top tote handles or slung over the shoulder with the longer, removable strap. We included the 20-liter Everywhere Bag in this list, but it also comes in two larger sizes, so you can choose the size that is best for you.

The Details: 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches | 2.75 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 15-inch laptop pocket

• Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Best Duffel

Away f.a.r. duffle 70l.

• Organization 4 /5
• Design 4.5 /5

The recycled materials are designed to weather harsh conditions.

You may want to use packing cubes to organize items in the large duffel.

Away's F.A.R line — the acronym stands for "For All Routes" — offers excellent durability for use outside of leisurely traveling. Ideal for more rugged use like camping or safaris , the fully recycled polyester material boasts both water- and abrasion-resistant abilities to keep your belongings safe no matter what Mother Nature (or baggage handlers) throws your way. In the lab, we loved that the 70-liter bag could fit tons of clothing items for a lengthy trip, and the various pockets and internal compression straps helped pack items down. Due to the large size of the bag, we think using packing cubes would help travelers stay more organized. One of our favorite aspects of this duffel is that it's extremely lightweight — weighing just three pounds — but if it ever feels to heavy to carry with the tote straps, it comes with a trolley sleeve and removable backpack straps to effortlessly convert the duffel to a backpack as needed.

The Details: 5.7 x 27.5 x 11.8 inches | 3 pounds | 70-liter capacity | 100 percent recycled polyester

Best Backpack

Away the everywhere zip backpack.

The backpack has a wrap-around zipper to open it up clamshell-style.

It could have a bit more padding for comfort.

Simple, sleek, and functional, this backpack features nearly everything we look for in a high-quality backpack. In testing, we appreciated the various pockets on the interior for staying organized — a feature particularly helpful for commuting or air travel. The designated laptop pocket can store tablets up to 15 inches wide, and the interior boasts a water bottle-specific pocket and numerous other pockets for smaller items. The best part of this backpack is the wrap-around zipper to open up the bag like a clamshell suitcase for packing the main compartment with ease. During our durability tests, the water- and abrasion-resistant nylon showed zero signs of damage after we tossed it off a table several times. While the back panel and straps could use a bit more padding, the backpack was still comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Details: 12 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches | 2.45 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 15-inch laptop pocket

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Convertible Bag

Away f.a.r. convertible backpack 45l.

It's the perfect backpack for carrying your belongings with ease.

It felt a bit bulky to carry when packed full.

If your future travels include multiple legs or moving accommodations frequently, then this convertible bag should go in your cart ASAP. The 45-liter pack is basically a mini suitcase with superior portability since you can toss it on your back for hands-free travel thanks to the hidden backpack straps. In testing, we loved that the straps can easily be tucked away without hanging out so you can choose to carry it as a tote or duffel bag with a removable shoulder strap. We fit clothing, shoes, and accessories from a week-long packing list and there was even room left for a few extra items, so don't be fooled by the seemingly small look of the bag. Best of all, after we tossed the backpack on the ground many times, the laptop (dummy, of course) didn't get physically damaged, so the ample padding is helpful for both protection and comfort.

The Details: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 3.32 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | 15-inch laptop pocket

Away The Packable Carryall

The lightweight bag can pack down to a fraction of its original size.

The nylon material is thin, so the bag may look lumpy when full.

This packable tote from Away lives up to its name as the perfect "carry-all" bag to use while traveling. It folds up into a tiny pouch so you can toss it into your suitcase without worrying about it taking up space, only using it if necessary on your return journey. Or you can use it as a gym bag, a beach bag, or a shopping bag. Since the bag can be packed down so small, it doesn't offer much structure. We think it's worth it to be able to bring the tote along with you on all types of adventures. After testing the bag for several months, our favorite feature is the zipper top that ensures the packed items are safely tucked away whether around your shoulder or in an overhead bin.

The Details: 15 x 19.7 x 9 inches | 8 ounces | 43-liter capacity | Nylon | Not expandable

Best Pet Carrier

Away the pet carrier.

• Quality 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5

The bag has both a trolley sleeve and car seat straps for any mode of transportation.

It's structured, so it takes up a decent amount of space to store it.

Traveling with pets isn't always easy (been there, done that), but Away's pet carrier makes the trip pass by much more smoothly for both pets and owners. It boasts both a trolley strap and car seat straps for locking in the carrier to a suitcase in the airport or into a car for road trips. The carrier is water-resistant to help with any accidents, and there is a removable, washable faux-shearling bedding inside for extra comfort. The nylon exterior is super durable and easy to clean after a long trip, and the tote straps and longer shoulder strap make it actually comfortable to schlep a pet through a crowded airport. One thing to note is that the carrier is structured, so it's a little difficult to store, but it does come with a handy dust bag to keep it in tip-top shape before the next trip.

The Details: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | 4.3 pounds | Nylon, leather

Travel + Leisure / Alessandra Amodio

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Packing Cubes

Away the insider packing cubes.

• Design 3 /5
• Quality 3 /5

The cubes are specifically designed to fit into Away suitcases.

They don't feature any compression abilities.

Away's packing cubes are specifically designed to fit inside the suitcases, which is a huge perk for staying organized while traveling. The set of four cubes comes in varying sizes so you can pack an array of clothing types in the cubes or you can pack by outfit to stay extra organized. Our favorite part of the cubes is that they are made with a lightweight and durable nylon material with mesh opening flaps so we could easily see what was packed in each cube. While they aren't compression packing cubes , they make it easy to save space and stay organized.

The Details: 10 x 4.1 x 4.3 inches (Small); 10 x 4.1 x 8.25 inches (Medium); 13 x 4.1 x 10 inches (XL); 13 x 4.1 x 6.9 inches (Large) | 8 ounces combined | Interior capacity varies | Nylon

Here are some other notable options from Away that we tested.

Away The Carry-on Flex : We love that this suitcase has expandable zippers to add extra space, but the wheels didn't roll as smoothly as other suitcases going over rough surfaces like carpet.

Away The Bigger Carry-On : This is a seriously spacious carry-on bag, so it's perfect for a longer vacation, but you'll want to check with airlines on carry-on restrictions since it could be too large.

Away The Large : This massive bag was surprisingly easy to maneuver through obstacles and over rough surfaces, but we thought the medium size was a little more manageable to stay under airline weight limits. One thing to note is that the glossy finish of this suitcase scuffed and scratched more easily during our tests when compared to the matte style, but it's available in both.

While we've tried plenty of Away luggage between dozens of tests for suitcases and travel accessories, we performed a test specifically for Away luggage in our New York City lab. After trying an additional 13 pieces of Away luggage, we were able to compare and contrast the older and newer luggage collections to update this article accordingly.

We packed each bag full of items from designated packing lists and wheeled the bags through various obstacle courses and over different floor textures to make sure the wheels and handles worked smoothly. We tossed the bags off of tabletops and hit each one with a baseball to check the durability.

We lifted carry-ons into overhead bins on our airplane set to get a feel for how heavy or light they felt and to try out special features like Away's underside grab handles. From carry-ons and checked bags to backpacks and duffels, the highest-scoring Away luggage earned spots in our list for the very best Away luggage to shop, according to our thorough testing.

Tips for Buying Away Luggage

Think about where you travel the most.

Picking the right size suitcase for your intended travels can be the most difficult part of luggage shopping. For those who fly airlines with relatively strict regulations, you may want to opt for the Carry-on, Convertible F.A.R Backpack, or the small Everywhere Bag since those are smaller pieces of luggage. For a bit more versatility, consider getting the Carry-on Flex or Medium Flex suitcases that boast expandable zippers for adding more space when needed. And of course, overpackers or those embarking on a longer trip should opt for the Medium, Large, or Trunk to get the most room in a suitcase.

Consider organizational features

Most of the Away suitcases have an extremely similar layout when it comes to organization. Only one side has a compression flap with a pocket or two and the other has a zipper closure with a pocket. The only exception to this is the aluminum collection that boasts a dual compression system. In general, the duffel bags have several pockets for storage, but you may want to get packing cubes to stay extra organized. We found that the weekender bags and backpacks offered excellent organization for commuting and traveling.

Classic versus Flex collections

Before buying an Away suitcase, be sure to browse the various collections the brand offers. The Classic collection includes Away's original suitcase designs with two sizes of carry-ons, a medium checked, a large checked, and the newly launched trunk. The Flex collection is most notable for featuring expandable zippers on every size of the Classic suitcases except the trunk. And of course, the stunning Aluminum collection features two sizes of carry-ons — a medium and a large — with latch closures.

Away luggage is only sold by Away, either online or in one of its brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. You can find the list of in-person stores here .

Start by deciding between carry-on and checked bags — which are you more likely to use? Overall, we think it's a great idea to have one of each. (Plus, the carry-ons nest inside the checked bags, so you don't need to worry about finding extra storage space at home for a second bag.) Also, be sure to check your preferred airline's restrictions on sizes to get a better idea of which suitcase would be best if you're between the carry-on or checked bag sizes offered by Away.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at T+L where she writes most of the team's tested content. She has tested dozens of suitcases and personally owns Away's The Trunk and the Pet Carrier. Anna spent the day in the lab testing Away luggage and combed through testing notes to compile this list of the very best Away luggage.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

The Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket Is the Smart Luggage I'd Buy

The Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket is a well-designed smart suitcase with plenty of room and a removable battery for charging your gadgets.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Away is one of the biggest brands in the newly burgeoning Smart Luggage category. Yes, even the suitcase you take on vacation is getting tech-y features. The standard feature on all smart bags is a portable battery that snaps into the suitcase, so you're not scavenging for an outlet at the airport if you need to charge your phone. Away also sells an optional accessory that allows you to track your bag in case it gets lost.

The new Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket ($295) adds an incredibly sensible feature: a nylon pocket. Why is this simple adjustment so important? It enhances the convenience factor of Away's suitcases, which feature an easy-to-use portable power supply for charging your phone, so you can keep your laptop and important documents within close reach.

On the downside, this pocket costs $50 extra, and that version of the Away isn't available in as many colors. Still, I found the Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket to be an excellent, albeit pricey, way to travel.

What about that TSA ban on smart luggage?

So, you might have heard about American Airlines , Delta and Alaska Airlines instating bans on smart luggage at the end of last year. But fear not, traveler, not all smart suitcases are banned, only the ones with non-removable batteries. That means the current set of Away's luggage is free to fly the friendly skies, as its battery is easily ejected.

Away's luggage has long stood out for its elegant minimalist designs and for an ever-changing series of hues that were either eye-catching or elegant. Although I liked the dark, restrained blue (the pocket-bearing Away's colors  come in only black or blue) of the bag I tested, I'm a much bigger fan of the purple tone they've used in luggage released in partnership with Kode With Klossy, the coding summer camp from model/entrepreneur Karlie Kloss.

I tested the Bigger Carry-On format of the Away luggage, which measures 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches, weighs 7.3 pounds and has a capacity of 46 liters. That means it's larger, lighter and roomier than Muji's Adjustable Handle Hard Carry Suitcase (21.3 x 14.6 x 9.3 inches, 7.7 pounds, 35 liters). The smaller, heavier and less-spacious Raden A22 Carry -on (22 x 14 x 9 inches, 8.4 pounds and 35 liters) is the other smart suitcase with an ejectable battery that's ready for flight.

The Away's shell is made of a durable-feeling polycarbonate material that the company calls "unbreakable." A leather hinge on its spine reinforces the connection between its halves. Its 360-degree wheels did an exceptionally good job of rotating to the correct position, which I admit is kind of a challenge when you carry your luggage as hurriedly as I do. The rubber handles at the top and right of the Bigger Carry-On feel reliable. Raden loves to promote the durability of its luggage, with video of someone standing on it, and leaning in, seemingly trying to break it.

The Away's pocket is a nylon sleeve that measures 16.5 x 11.25 x 1 inches. That's big enough to fit my 2012 15-inch MacBook Pro, which is thicker than current models, but I instead opted to store my shampoo, body soap and face wash container bag in that sleeve, as that's equally important to have at the ready. The Muji and Raden bags have no such pockets.

After you unzip the Bigger Carry-On, you'll notice a mesh window can zip up the front half, and that there's a flat divider between both sides that offers a zipper-closed pouch. So, if you buy the Carry-On or Bigger Carry-On without the exterior pocket, you still get a place to store sensitive materials, but it's less accessible. Two buckles can secure that flat pocket against whatever is under it.

The insider lining of the suitcases are nylon, with zippers that run from the top to the bottom. This is because Away suitcases come with a lifetime warranty, and the nylon and zippers cover up the panels where Away's repair technicians  access handles and feet, if a repair is ever needed.

What's in the box

When I opened the large cardboard box with the Away Bigger Carry-on, I was pleasantly surprised to see the luggage came inside a canvas bag. While it seems like a great way to keep the Away clean while it's stored away, I could also see college students using it for an oversized laundry bag.

MORE: Best Smartphones on the Market Now

Inside the bottom half of the Bigger Carry-On, you'll see a small buttoned-up pouch containing a small bag, which I used for laundry during the trip. My extensive testing showed that this bag can fit two dress shirts, five T-shirts and five pairs of socks and briefs. Also, Away includes a USB-based power adapter and a micro-USB-to-USB cord, for charging its battery.

Portable Charger

The major perk of the Away luggage is the 37-watt, 10,000 mAh portable charger that sits conveniently in a slot below the handle, with a cover to protect its ports from spills A 10,000 mAh battery has enough juice to refuel most flagship smartphones completely, and some of them twice. The charger is easily ejectable; you just push down until it clicks, and it then jumps up. The Raden A22's power supply has a smaller capacity of 7,800 mAh.

It draws power from a micro USB port and features dual USB 3.0 ports for charging, with one being a 2.4-amp fast-charging port and the other a 1-amp standard-speed port. Personally, this was a lifesaver at the airport, as it meant I didn't have to run around the terminal, looking for an outlet so I could fill my phone up before a flight.

After I drained my iPhone 8 Plus of its charge, the Away charger's 2.4-amp port refueled 16 percent of the phone in 15 minutes, and 32 percent in 30 minutes. These numbers are similar to the fastest-charging portable charger we've tested, which filled 17 percent in 15 minutes and 33 percent in 30 minutes.

The portable charger was a lifesaver at the airport, as it meant I didn't have to run around the terminal, looking for an outlet so I could fill my phone up before a flight.

Also, dual ports means you can charge both your phone and your Bluetooth headphones, or one of your devices and one that belongs to a friend, if you're  kind and not traveling solo.

Bigger is better?

My biggest concern with the Away Bigger Carry-On was that Away was sure that the bag would be allowed on flights. I was not as confident, because the bag's measurements exceed the advertised baggage limit of 22 x 14 x 9 inches  that airlines declare online and at the gates, where they present the small compartment to check your bag's size.

Away says the bag would fit and be allowed on most planes, because the bin you check your bags in is larger than the advertised measurements. After a series of emails with a Delta employee named Michael, who couldn't clear up this question, I bit the bullet and decided to test the Bigger Carry-On to find out what would happen if I tried to get it on a plane. My concern was for naught, as the flight attendants on my Delta plane from New York to New Orleans didn't bat an eye at my luggage.

The Bigger Carry-On's capacity is 6.2 liters more than that of the Carry-On, and as someone whose suitcase was packed to the brim upon his return — I had to bring back beignet mix from the world-famous Café Du Monde — I was happy to have that space.

TSA-Friendly Lock

If you're worried about prying hands opening your checked luggage, you've probably breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the TSA-approved combination lock.

I had no trouble setting a three-digit combination code on the lock, and locking the suitcase is as easy as snapping its zippers into the dual grooves at the top of the suitcase, near the keyhole that TSA agents can easily unlock. The Raden and Muji bags have similar locks.

Bluetooth location tracking

Away has partnered with the Bluetooth tracker-maker Tile for a $30 Tile Luggage Tag, which works by logging its location when its within 100 feet of the paired smartphone, and when any other Tiles come within that  range. From Tile's app, you can set your tracker to ring when it comes within the range, or instruct your phone to send a push notification when the Tile tracker is found.

At the baggage claim, I got a notification on my phone shortly before it appeared on the carousel, and could hear the tag's ringing chime as it came out of the entrance.

After I checked my bag for my return flight, I set it to alert me when the bag's location was next detected. I got my first notifications when the flight was getting closer to taking off, as the suitcase was loaded into the belly of the plane. At the baggage claim, I got a notification on my phone shortly before it appeared on the carousel, and could hear the tag's ringing chime as it came out of the entrance.

The Muji suitcase has no battery or location tracking, while the Raden includes built-in location tracking, and uses a similar group-based GPS tracking. The Raden can also weigh itself, which is helpful for those who overpack but also want to reduce fees at check-in.

Bottom Line

While you could place a Tile tracker and a portable charger inside  any suitcase, the Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket streamlines the process completely. The amount of care that's gone into this design shows, and the simple move of adding an easy-access pocket has made the bag all the more convenient.

The Muji bag is a more-affordable $160, but it carries less luggage and doesn't include the portable battery or a place to easily access it. The $295 Raden packs more built-in smart features, but isn't as spacious. The Away, though, especially with the Tile tag, does a lot to take the pain out of going to the airport.

Credit: Tom's Guide

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra review — this is now my favorite Windows laptop

Bournemouth vs Man Utd live stream: How to watch Premier League game online

Newcastle vs Tottenham live stream: How to watch Premier League game online

Most Popular

• 2 Massive Roku security incident compromises over 500,000 accounts — what to do now
• 3 Act fast! This iMac M3 deal won't last long — save $150 now at Amazon
• 4 Android 15 might transform your phone into a smart home hub while it charges
• 5 Meletrix Boog75 review — a gaming keyboard with style to spare

Away Luggage Review: Check Out This Bonafide Reader Fave

FASHION , LUGGAGE , Reviews

Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!

Luggage is a major topic of discussion among TFG readers, and their Away suitcase reviews are in! If you’re in the market for a new suitcase or are curious about this popular brand, take a look at this review to out exactly what our readers think!

Away Suitcase Review By Readers

Table of contents.

Travel aficionados are no doubt aware of the popular Away brand , but is their luggage really worth all the hype? If you’re curious about these beautiful suitcases, TFG readers have you covered! 

Their Away travel reviews cover all the bases in terms of their functionality, durability, style, and cost. Take a look! 

Best Features of Away Luggage

Traveling with the Lo & Sons O.G. 2.0 and my Away The Carry On Suitcase

They’re Easy to Pack and Have Great Features

Away suitcases are designed to optimize packing space. Because their interiors are so packable, the carryons are especially popular with readers who travel carry on only — even for multi-week trips! 

TFGs particularly give amazing Away The Carry-On reviews . One says that with packing cubes , she can easily fit everything she needs for two weeks in it. In another reader’s impressive Away Bigger Carry On review , as a scuba diver, their bag fits all of her gear, is super durable, and is easy to maneuver! 

And while they have ample packing space, many readers share that they’ve never had issues fitting their Away carry ons in the overhead bins, both domestically and internationally. 

Away also offers an expandable luggage line , and readers adore the convenience of those suitcases — especially for bringing goodies back home! 

To help you avoid overweight baggage fees, we’ve rounded up the best lightweight luggage – They’re all under 5lb!

The Original Carry-On interior is roomy!

Readers also appreciate the awesome features of Away suitcases. Their clamshell design opens up to two spacious compartments, and the interiors feature a mesh compression system that keeps things organized with zippered pockets, as well as built-in laundry bags. And on the outside, TSA locks keep everything secure! 

Plus, some of the carry ons come with a removable battery that’s neatly and conveniently stored under the handle. It’s super easy to remove when boarding, making it compliant at any airport worldwide. And readers love that they can also use the battery as a portable charger while sightseeing during their trip! 

The Away Bigger Carry On maximizes packing space!

They’re Lightweight and Easy to Maneuver

In their Away travel luggage reviews , readers confirm that while you can fit a ton into these suitcases, they won’t weigh you down! They’re designed with lightweight polycarbonate and are super easy to roll around. 

One reader says that all of her Away pieces have behaved flawlessly over the years, highlighting the high-end wheels that feel effortless whether she’s pulling it behind her on two wheels or rolling it beside her on all four. She adds to her Away bags review that the weight has never been an issue for her. 

We recommend the best travel bags with trolley sleeve , because a trolley sleeve is one of the most helpful features a bag can have for travel!

Besides the Away suitcases, the Medium Everywhere Bag is also lightweight and easy to carry!

A lot of readers share similar Away reviews , raving about the smooth 360° wheels and firm, adjustable handle that makes it easy to maneuver in crowded or tight spaces and on all kinds of surfaces (even rough streets). Plus, the top handle, side handle, and underside grab handle make the suitcases way easier to lift up.  

Overall, readers agree that these suitcases make for smooth travel. One reader sums it up by saying that Away suitcases are a dream to travel with and that nothing she’s used has come close to their ease of rolling, function, or packability! 

The Away Large is 29” and made to last for at least a two-week trip!

They’re Extremely Durable and Long-Lasting 

From rough handling at airports to rolling around on all kinds of terrain to being packed to the brim, travel certainly puts a lot of wear and tear on your luggage. That’s why Away users stick to this brand! 

Their polycarbonate shells are designed with the rigors of travel in mind, so they can definitely take a beating and come out on the other side looking great! They also offer a gorgeous aluminum line that’s ultra-tough and will last you a lifetime. 

Interior of the Away Large has multiple ways to organize

One reader gushes about how much she can stuff into her Away suitcase with no worries about the zippers, calling them really heavy-duty. In another Away carry on review , a reader says that she’s had her Bigger Carry On for years and she absolutely loves it, it’s traveled the world with her, and it was perfect for a recent three-week trip! 

And while these suitcases aren’t immune to dents or scuffs, they’ll definitely protect your items inside and will hold up throughout your trip. Plus, if any major damage occurs, Away’s notoriously stellar customer service will take care of it!  

The cute Everyday Crossbody is compact and can hold a day’s worth of essentials!

They Offer More Than Suitcases

Another great feature of Away is that they have a wide range of other travel items that’ll work perfectly with your suitcase and will make your trip all the more organized, easy, fun, and stylish! 

Away offers all kinds of travel bags, from weekender bags to backpacks to tote bags to sling bags. They carry sleeker options (including leather bags and backpacks) that are great for business travelers or fashionistas, while the bags from their F.A.R. line are more rugged and built for outdoorsy travelers.

We’ve rounded up the best anti theft travel bags for women, and our readers have voted for their favorite styles!

The Everywhere Zip Pack is stylish but also SO roomy to hold essentials and even a laptop!

In an Away Everywhere Bag review , a reader says the popular bag is her favorite, go-to travel item because it fits so much, is sturdy and holds its shape, and fits perfectly under the airplane seat. Another reader shares that her Everywhere Zip Backpack fits a ton and looks sleek! Readers also love the packable backpack which is convenient for day trips you might embark on or for carrying your souvenirs on the way home!    

Their travel accessories include packing cubes, toiletry bags (including a hanging toiletry bag), pouches, a protective tech case, a garment bag, a jewelry box, and more! 

The Away Aluminum Carry On is sleek and has all the organizational aspects that readers love!

They’re Worth the Price

While Away suitcases are priced a bit on the higher end, readers will be quick to say that you definitely get what you pay for. In an Away bag review from a reader, she says the luggage is worth every penny and then some and calls it a lifetime investment! 

Another reader’s Away travel luggage review states that you see them all over airports because they’re made so well, have a great organization, and most importantly, have a lifetime warranty. She adds that she hasn’t been able to find anything else with that warranty in Away’s price range! 

Away’s lifetime warranty ensures that you’ll always have a fully functioning suitcase and won’t have to purchase a new one if something gets damaged. Readers rave about the great customer service and quick replacement of any faulty or damaged parts. 

Additionally, readers say that easy rolling and/or carrying, thoughtful and attractive details, and ample packing space and organization are all reasons that they’re happy to invest in Away suitcases and travel bags. They make travel days smoother and more fun! 

The Away sling bag  is made of nylon and is water-resistant!

Pros and Cons

Away suitcases are lightweight yet tough, so keeping your belongings protected will never be an issue. Readers also love the ample packing space these bags offer, especially when traveling carry on only. 

These suitcases are also simply beautiful! They come in a wide range of colors, from fun, bright options to chic neutrals. You can find leather details and great hardware on many of their bags, too.

And while the lifetime warranty has been addressed, it’s worth mentioning again, as it’s kept so many readers loyal to this brand and is commonly addressed in their reviews of Away luggage ! One reader says she’ll never invest in another brand of luggage because their customer service and lifetime warranty are amazing. 

Some readers have noted in their Away bag reviews that the lighter colors show scuffs more than the darker colors, but many have shared that a magic eraser works wonderfully to remove them. 

Here are the best money belts for traveling along with additional anti-theft accessories for women!

The Carry On Flex and Medium Flex may be slightly weighty, but this set is still popular!

Another concern that some readers have expressed is that the bags are a bit too heavy for their liking. Ranging from 7.5 lbs to 12.1 lbs depending on the size and features, these suitcases aren’t as lightweight as some softside options, but their rugged designs and organizational features are well worth it.  

Overall, the wide majority of readers who have invested in Away luggage are more than happy with their trusty travel bags and constantly rave about how well they hold up! So, if you’re looking for a new travel companion that you’ll be able to count on for years and years to come, definitely consider Away! 

More Away Products Readers Love

1.8L Quilted Everywhere Crossbody

Quilted Everywhere Crossbody

Lightweight and packable, Away’s Everywhere Bag is a perfect day bag to pack for sightseeing around your destination. It’s simple and super cute, with a quilted design that makes it look effortless and sleek, with 100% polyester water-resistant material. It features a front zip pocket for storing your smaller essentials and another pocket for a phone. All in all, a cute accessory to take along!

F.A.R. Compact 40L Travel Duffle

F.A.R. Duffle 40L

While quite compact and lightweight, this F.A.R. 40L duffle is super robust, water-resistant, and has enough packing space for a trip of up to four nights! Its wide opening allows for easy packing and organizing and it’s structured enough to keep things balanced. To finish it off, the trolley sleeve, top handles, side grab handle, and detachable shoulder sleeve allow for versatile and easy carrying! 

In addition to the 40L size , they also offer a 55L option  and a 70L option . 

F.A.R. Lightweight Convertible 25L Backpack

F.A.R Convertible Backpack 25L

The F.A.R. convertible backpack is made from sturdy polyester and can hold a day’s worth of essentials. This cutie can be a weekender bag or even be taken on a hike. The compression system is designed with total comfort in mind, and there are numerous pockets to stash essentials within reach. 

And the cool thing is you can change the straps into a backpack or duffle—so versatile!

One traveler gives her Away backpack review , calling it stylish but practical, and adding that it fits everything she needs and is really comfortable to carry.

Check out our list of the best toiletry bags for travel!

Water-resistant Hanging Toiletry Bag

Hanging Toiletry Bag

A hanging toiletry bag is such a useful travel item, especially when countertop space is limited or you want everything to stay in a particular place. Away’s hanging toiletry bag opens up to reveal three mesh pouches and one clear, removable pouch, so organization will be effortless. Keeping things clean is super easy, too, with its water-resistant exterior and spill-proof interior! 

It’s also super cute! One user gives a great Away toiletry bag review , calling this great quality with every possible feature included, and she highlights how useful the removable clear bag is when going through TSA!

Water-resistant Tech Case

If you travel with multiple devices and techy gear (as many of us now do), that means you’ll need to bring along all of the corresponding chargers and accessories, too. Away makes it beyond easy with their handy tech case , which features a zip mesh compartment on one side and elastic loops for things like cords and headphones. Plus, it’s padded and water-resistant for ultimate protection! 

One frequent user says it’s lightweight and the perfect size for storing in a carry on or backpack without taking up too much room. 

It also comes in a larger size which is a must for business travelers, digital nomads, and tech-lovers! And if you’re traveling with your laptop, Away’s laptop sleeve is amply padded, has interior and exterior pockets, and is water-resistant. 

What is your favorite Away suitcase or bag? Share in the comments below and tell us why you love it so much!

For more luggage articles, please read:

• Best Hardside Luggage Picks
• Best Softside Luggage Options
• The Best Luggage Sets for Every Budget and Type of Trip
• Readers Rate the Best Checked Luggage

LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!

We hope you liked this Away review. Share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

My husband and I each own the Bigger Aways and the smallest of the Everywhere Bags. With just those we have done multi weeks Europe train trips! We also own the Medium bags for when we head to Mexico for two months of snow bird adventures. I added an Away backpack! The wheels are the best and the compression flap is genius.

Thanks for sharing your love of Away with us Diana!!!!

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Away Travel Carry-On Luggage Review [Worth Buying?]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

768 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3093 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Away Travel Luggage

Style and look, size and compartments, durability and materials, lock and zippers, warranty and customer service, away carry-on alternative sizes, away travel luggage with a pocket, kids’ carry-on, the aluminum range, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Luggage these days is much more than just a way to carry your stuff from home to the hotel and back again. Rebooted and redesigned, suitcases are now more stylish than ever, with smart features and sleek upgrades that have made them Instagram-famous and utterly desirable.

American luggage brand Away has gone back to basics with bags and cases that are designed to work with you and offer creative solutions that help you enjoy your travel experience better.

Every piece in its collection has been thoughtfully designed to function perfectly and provide practical solutions to real-life travel problems.

From carry-ons to checked luggage and daypacks to a garment bag, every piece from Away has an attractive minimalist aesthetic on the outside, complemented by interiors that will transform the way you carry your belongings.

Bottom Line: With compression compartments to maximize your luggage load, hardshell exteriors that can be thrown around and still look super chic, and even a hidden battery to charge your devices on the go, the people at Away may just have created the ultimate suitcase.

Away Travel Carry-On Luggage Review

With a hard, impenetrable shell, The Carry-On looks sleek and minimalist , and will never be out of place being pulled through any cosmopolitan metropolis or high-tech airport.

Unlike most monotone hipster carry-alls, The Carry-On is available in a range of colors, including navy, coast grey, sky blue, green, asphalt, white, sand, blush, and violet. Finding the right color to suit your personality shouldn’t be a problem.

Sized to fit in the overhead luggage compartments of most major airlines , this is practically the perfect carry-on . Measuring 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches on the outside, you can stow above or below every time you fly.

On the inside, you’ll find 2 separate compartments. A large zippered compartment to one side will deftly house your shoes, toiletries, and other hard objects. While to the other side, there is an impressively large open space for your clothing. The internal measurements are 20 x 13.5 inches with a total capacity of 39.8 liters.

Want to fit more in? One of the absolute best bits of the Away brand cases is the unique interior compression system .

Much more than just a couple of straps to pull around a bulging clothes pile, this offers an entire semi-rigid panel on top that squashes down to give you those all-important extra inches of interior space when you need it.

If that wasn’t enough, the case also comes with a washable laundry bag that folds up when not in use. While the bag isn’t huge, it’s fine to keep dirty items separate over a long weekend.

Made from an impenetrable shell that bends under pressure, but never breaks, The Carry-On offers first-class construction.

The sturdy, hard-wearing polycarbonate outer shell can take its fair share of knocks and bangs, while the softly lined interiors and genuine leather luggage tags and hinges give it a luxury feel that belies its functional form and price tag.

Bottom Line: By cleverly blurring the lines between a traditional hardshell suitcase and a flexible nylon/canvas one, The Carry-On offers rigid durability alongside complete adaptability.

This smart little case can charge cell phones, tablets , e-readers , and anything else that’s powered by a USB cord. With enough energy tucked away to fully charge your iPhone up to 4 times, The Carry-On is the ultimate companion for the tech-savvy traveler.

You can even fly with your electable suitcase battery as it’s compliant with current airline policies, FAA, TSA, and DOT regulations and meets UN/DOT 38.3 requirements. When you reach your destination, plug it in and let it recharge before you set off once again.

Be aware that while it can be carried in the cabin, checked luggage cannot contain lithium batteries. The Carry-On battery can be removed in a matter of seconds and carried with you in the cabin.

These sorts of design features add value to you as the passenger and set the Away brand miles apart from the competition.

Hot Tip: If the charging capability isn’t your thing or you already own a power bank, you can opt to purchase the case without a battery, which will make the case lighter and increase the interior space. Just know that if you opt for this you can’t add a battery later on.

With 4 360-degree spinning Japanese Hinomoto wheels, The Carry-On makes light work of long runways and endless terminal buildings. Agile and incredibly easy to maneuver, you can guide the case with just a single fingertip should you need to.

The pull-along handle is light and smooth and effortlessly extends or retracts to suit the height of the carrier. Made from superior materials, the telescopic handle is just like any other suitcase handle, only that bit better.

With not one, but 2 zippers for easy opening and closing, The Carry-On does away with the need for separate locks by offering an integrated combination lock. Just activate a 3-digit combination and the mechanism secures the zippers in seconds.

As the lock is part of the actual suitcase, you never run the risk of losing your travel lock again, and even more impressive, the lock is TSA-approved to allow agents access when they need it.

All Away Carry-On cases come complete with a limited lifetime warranty that covers any damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that functionally impairs the luggage.

The electronic components are guaranteed for 2 years. That said, the good folks at Away do offer replacement batteries should you experience any issues outside of this warranty period.

Impressive credentials and an even more impressive Instagram campaign have made the Away cases some of the most sought-after in the travel sector. But, while they may be both pretty and practical, there are just a couple of really tiny downsides, too.

If you want to recharge your case to keep your phone topped up, you’re realistically looking at an overnight charge in your hotel before it has enough power to start charging your devices again.

While these cases are incredibly durable and designed to last a long time, they’re best suited to vacations and tourist travel . What is essentially a lifestyle brand with an excellent social media following, it attracts travelers who want to see the world without roughing it.

Globetrotting adventurers who plan to stray from the road less traveled may find a backpack or duffel bag more practical and hard-wearing.

Finally, the telescopic handles are a bit on the shaky side. While adept enough to wheel your case through the airport, you can still feel a slight tremor when you walk.

Bottom Line: All of these are minor gripes, and for the most part, The Carry-On from Away is an excellent suitcase that delights in providing both form and function to give you a good-looking case with on-trend extras.

Other Away Travel Luggage

Concerned that The Carry-On isn’t right for you? Away offers a full collection of luggage essentials to suit every traveler and every journey.

• The Bigger Carry-On — This carry-on is just like the standard one, but is a little bit bigger. Measuring up at 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches, this little beauty was designed to squeeze into the cabin bag containers found at check-in and to give the user some all-important extra internal inches. It also has just over 8 liters of extra space compared to the standard-sized The Carry-On.
• The Medium — This midsize suitcase is designed to be checked in the hold when you travel and offers enough space for all those extra outfits, as well as the same unique compression system and high-quality polycarbonate construction. It measures 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches and has 68.8 liters of storage space.
• The Large — Away’s biggest suitcase yet, this full-size family case has the same attractive and durable polycarbonate shell, interior compression system, and removable laundry bag. Just as impressive as The Carry-On, only much bigger! It measures 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches and has 99.2 liters of storage space.

• The Carry-On with Pocket  — Like a regular carry-on , only better, this is still the perfect size for overhead storage bins, but with an extra, useful pocket. The nylon front pocket is big enough and protective enough to carry your boarding passes and travel documents, without eating into that all-important interior space.
• The Bigger Carry-On with Pocket — This suitcase offers an external nylon pocket that’s perfect for carrying your vacation documents, magazines, or other useful bits of kit close by your side when you travel.
• The Daily Carry-On with Pocket — A new release by Away, this carry-on is slightly smaller than its other carry-on counterparts and is geared towards short trips and business travel. The pocket provides easy access to your daily essentials.

Make it a family affair with The Kids’ Carry-On . Just like the regular version, your mini-me can enjoy a shell that never breaks, a battery that charges their phone or tablet, and a versatile interior with a compression system and separate laundry bag.

This is the very same as the grown-up version but is just a little bit smaller in size at 18 x 12 x 9 inches with a 31-liter capacity.

• The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition — Made with a durable aluminum shell and leather-wrapped, slow-release handles, this little beauty offers the same standards as the regular The Carry-On, but this time is made of even more robust stuff.
• The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition The Carry-On — Sized up but still made from aluminum, this is the bigger of the 2 carry-on cases. It offers all the same great features but in a slightly larger package.
• The Medium: Aluminum Edition — With the same beautiful curved lines and an attractive aluminum shell, the medium-size case is perfect for those who want more than a carry-on but don’t crave a full-size case.
• The Large: Aluminum Edition — With enough room for all the family, the trusty aluminum shell will protect everything inside. Shoehorn even more in with the interior compression system, and as you have come to expect, bring home your dirties in the removable laundry bag.

Modern-day luggage is fast becoming a reflection of the way we travel and indeed, where we travel to.

Away not only creates beautifully designed, cleverly crafted suitcases and bags that are more than fit for purpose, but it is also one of the few brands that take a holistic approach to modern-day travel. It offers practical solutions to the rigors of reaching your next destination with ease.

Hardshell exteriors, internal compression systems, and the ability to charge almost every kind of device on the go makes the Away cases some of the very best, and most thoughtful, on the market today.

For reviews on other types of luggage and travel bags, check out these pieces:

• The Best Checked Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Carry-On Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Laptop Backpacks To Buy for Travel
• The Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market
• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

Frequently Asked Questions

Is away luggage tsa-approved.

Away luggage is compliant with the FAA and is TSA-approved as the lithium batteries can be ejected and removed from the luggage during your flight.

How much does Away luggage cost?

The standard carry-on luggage by Away costs $225 and includes an ejectable battery. The bigger carry-on costs $245 and the medium and large checked luggage costs $275 and $295 respectively.

Is Away luggage banned?

Most airlines instituted a ban on smart luggage in 2018. This means that luggage with a lithium battery that cannot be removed is banned. However, Away luggage comes with an ejectable battery which means you can check your luggage and take the battery with you as a carry-on.

How much does The Carry-On from Away weigh?

The Away Carry-On weighs 7.6 pounds, but if you opt for one without a lithium battery it weighs 7.1 pounds.

Was this page helpful?

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Away Travel Luggage Review [2024]: Are They Worth It?

Learn about what makes the Away suitcase so special, including its added features, side products, and the brand itself. Keep reading to see for yourself!

When you’re packing to go on a trip, it’s hard enough to know what to take with you — let alone figuring out what bag to take.

Is a backpack the right choice?

Maybe a suitcase would be easier?

It’s a tough choice and one that gets made even tougher when you start thinking about what brand to choose.

If you’re in the market for a new suitcase,  backpack , bag, or other types of luggage, chances are you’ve heard of Away. It’s all over social media and is often touted as one of the biggest names in luxury luggage at a more reasonable price.

But is it really all it’s cracked up to be and is it worth the money? Let’s find out.

What is Away?

Away is a luggage company that makes and sells premium suitcases, carry-on bags, backpacks, duffle bags, and totes, as well as a small range of other travel accessories. The company uses a direct-to-consumer business model to reduce its overheads and keep prices lower for customers.

With that said, prices are still definitely on the premium end — the “Medium” suitcase, which measures 66 cm x 47 cm x 28 cm, costs $305, and the “Large” costs $335. However, suitcases from Away come with a  limited lifetime guarantee , which means if any damage makes your bag impossible to use (such as broken zippers or wheels, cracks or breaks in the shell, or faulty wheels and handles), the company will repair or replace it.

When you buy a bag from Away, you’ll also get a generous 100-day returns policy. During this time, you can use your bag as much as you want: customize it, wheel it around, live out of it, eat off it. Whatever you want. At the end of 100 days, if you’re just not digging it, Away will happily exchange or refund your bag.

It’s a pretty sweet deal, especially if you’re just not sure you’re ready to commit to a premium bag’s price tag.

Where Is Away Luggage From?

Away was set up by entrepreneurs Jen Rubio and Steph Korey in 2015. It has its headquarters in New York City, but it mostly operates online.

You can find Away stores in 13 locations, including two in NYC and two in L.A. most are in the United States, but there’s also a store in Toronto, Canada, and one in London, England.

If you want to buy Away luggage, the easiest way is just to place an order on the  Away website . They deliver to the U.S. and Canada, plus several countries in Europe.

What Makes Away Luggage Special?

For many of you reading this, you’ll probably be thinking that a suitcase is just a suitcase — what features could a bag possibly have that could make it stand out?

Well, for one thing, they look great.

All the Away suitcases are sleek and stylish, and they come in a range of colors; favorites on social media include the “Blush” tone, which is basically millennial pink. The suitcases come with a hard shell and four 360-degree wheels. They’re also sturdy and compact — the carry-on size bag is designed to fit precisely into the standard carry-on allowance used by most airlines.

The suitcases also come with an internal compression system to help you cram in even more stuff while you’re on the road, and there’s a detachable laundry bag so you can keep your dirties away from your cleans. They’re also customizable (though this will invalidate the 100-day returns policy).

There are also optional extras to jazz up your luggage and make it even more practical, like the removable battery that can turn your suitcase into a walking, talking (okay, not quite) phone charger. The battery is also removable, so you can stick it in your backpack or purse if you need to.

It’s features like this that make Away so popular with reviewers.

Other Products

As well as carry-on and checked suitcases, Away makes a variety of other bags, all created with travel in mind. There’s a range of small and medium-sized backpacks on sale, in a variety of colors, prints, and shapes.

There are also duffle bags, sling bags, and totes, and a range of bag accessories like organizers, travel pouches, jewelry boxes, and toiletry bags.

They also sell neck pillows and travel blankets,  packing cubes , luggage tags, and an adorable miniature suitcase, The Mini, that’s designed to keep your small items safe inside your bag. It’s just about small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and it comes with a D-ring attached so you can add a keychain to it too. It’s pretty neat — as long as you’ve got a spare $65.

Is Away a Good Luggage Brand?

Overall, we believe that Away Luggage is a great choice for frequent travelers who can dish out a bit more cash for a quality travel suitcase that lasts! Let's dissect these Away reviews.

Reviews of Away travel luggages suggest that it’s pretty popular among customers. The carry-on bag, for example, has an average of 4.9 stars out of five, based on over 1,800 reviews on the site. Many online away travel reviews also gave positive feedback to the carry-on bag, saying that it costs much less than similar-quality bags.

Some negative Away Luggage reviews online pointed to long wait times and miscommunication between customer support and their refund policies.

The bags also seem pretty popular among the rich and famous. Big-name celebrities like  Karlie Kloss  and  Rashida Jones  own Away suitcases and have both teamed up with the company to create limited-run collections.

One of the benefits of Away luggage is that the company also regularly partners up with charities and organizations that aim to do good in the world. They also strive to be sustainable by creating bags that are built to last and working with suppliers who strive to reduce waste.

Our Rating: 4.6/5

• Sustainable Social-benefit driven Brand
• 100-day return policy
• Made with Durable & Quality Material
• High ratings & big-name endorsements
• User experienced long wait times for customer support

Time to Pack Your Bags!

So, are Away suitcases worth it? That probably depends on your own travel needs.

If you’re in the market for luxury or premium-quality suitcases or luggage, Away bags are certainly a good option — and the lifetime warranty definitely makes you feel like you’re getting more bang for your buck!

If you're looking for more options, why not check out our review of Away's competitor, Monos Luggage ?

Start planning your trip!

Got your travel luggage figured out? Next, you'll need a plan for your trip. Plan your next trip with Pilot!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Satisfy your wanderlust

Get Pilot. The travel planner that takes fun and convenience to a whole other level. Try it out yourself.

Trending Travel Stories

Discover new places and be inspired by stories from our traveller community.

Related Travel Guides

7 Top Packing Cubes of 2024: Traveler & Backpacker Reviewed!

Monos Travel Review [2024]: Luggages Worth the Hype?

Osprey Backpacks Review [2024]: THE Backpack for Travel?

Luggage Tags: A Trivial or Essential Travel Accessory?

Samsonite Luggage Review [2024]: Luggage worth buying?

Make the most of every trip

You won’t want to plan trips any other way!

The trip planner that puts everything in one place, making planning your trip easier, quicker, and more fun.

I compared the Away Bigger Carry-On bag to my Samsonite luggage, and it convinced me to switch to the newer, trendier brand

• On a recent domestic trip, I tried out the Instagram-famous Away luggage for the first time. The company with a $1.4 billion valuation as of May 2019 offers a fleet of different luggage sets with lifetime warranties . 
• I was thinking about purchasing an Away bag before my trip, but when I saw the price, I decided to borrow one from a friend and try it out first — the bag I was going to get would have set me back $245 before tax.
• I usually travel with a Samsonite carry-on rolling bag. 
• My luggage, like the Away Bigger Carry-On that I tried, has four wheels, an expandable handle, two non-expandable handles — one on a long side and one on the top, and an interior mesh divider and compression straps for holding my belongings in place. 
• There were a lot of features on the Away bag that I loved and wish my luggage had — like a removable battery, laundry bag, and a shoe compartment — but there was one major characteristic that really bothered me: The Away bag felt considerably heavier than my Samsonite. 
• Here's what my experience with the Away Bigger Carry-On was like and how it compares to my Samsonite luggage . 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Away cofounders Jen Rubio and Steph Korey started selling the now Instagram-famous luggage bag used by Influencers and traveling millennials in February of 2016.

Source: Business Insider

The pair have a shared background in startup companies as they met while working at the optical brand, Warby Parker.

When they reconnected, they came up with the idea to craft the perfect carry-on bag for travelers.

Source:  Business Insider

They told Business Insider that they liked how Warby Parker transformed customer experiences and slashed prices, and they "decided the luggage industry needed similar improvements."

So they set about creating high-quality luggage at a fraction of the price, and relied on consumer feedback to fix as many travel complaints as possible.

Through surveys, they found out that travelers wanted, among other things, better organization and a portable battery.

They determined that people really had issues with the lifespan of their phone battery when traveling.

To address this issue, they built a removable battery directly into the skeleton of the luggage..

Now, the brand offers eight different construction options of wheel-able luggage including two sizes of carry-on and checkable luggage, a kids' size, and both carry-on sizes with an outside pocket.

Source: Away

On a recent domestic flight — within the US — I tried out the brand's Bigger Carry-On without the outside pocket seen here on the left. I typically use the Samsonite seen here on the right.

I was traveling for a two-and-a-half-day vacation, so I knew I could fit everything I needed in a carry-on.

While the Away luggage is on the more affordable side of the luggage spectrum — consumers have compared the bag to Rimowa, which costs $670 for a small carry-on — it's still an investment at $245 plus tax.

Source: Away , Rimowa , Condé Nast Traveler

For frequent fliers who prefer a carry-on, it makes sense to spend your money on Away. I don't take quick trips that often, so I didn't want to make the purchase without seeing whether it would fit my needs.

The first concern I had was if I'd be able to fit everything in the non-expandable bag. I always overpack, so I anticipated having to go through a few more rounds of outfit edits than I normally would.

Another concern was whether the bag would be approved as a carry-on size. The website confirms that the carry-on sized bags are within TSA regulations, but you never know with TSA, so I remained skeptical.

I was celebrating a bride-to-be, so I had to pack a pair of shoes appropriate for each event. Had I been visiting family, I could have packed a pair of sandals, traveled in sneakers, and called it a day.

In my Samsonite, I struggle to pack my shoes so their dirty soles don't touch my clean clothes, and so that there is enough room for everything else on top. I even use bags to keep them separated.

I dedicated the zippered half of the Away bag to shoes and bags. I was able to pack my shoes without worrying they would get my white pants dirty. I also didn't have to shove them in corners and packed them as pairs.

I was really looking forward to the bag's compression panel. From videos social media, the panel looked like it would use buckles and straps to squish everything down so I could pack more than would normally fit.

My Samsonite has a buckle and two straps that look like they should do the same thing. They do keep my clothes in place and help to hold them down, but not as much as the Away compression panel did.

Away's panel has a zipper and mesh pocket — the perfect place for undergarments. There's nothing more annoying than tearing a suitcase apart looking for that last pair of clean underwear that bunched up between pants.

Another great feature of Away's product is the laundry bag. I typically pack a scrunchable bag for laundry, but it was nice to have one with a zipper so I could lay it flat instead of keeping it in a ball that takes up more room.

Also, if you don't end up using it, it lives in this convenient little pouch inside the bag that takes up virtually no space.

I ended up making harsher cuts to my wardrobe, which kept me from overpacking. While it did take me less time to get dressed, I wished I had more shoe options.

After I got everything packed, I loved how I was able to look at this pretty full bag and think that it didn't look overwhelming. When I pack my Samsonite to the brim, it looks visibly stuffed, which is kind of overwhelming.

The hard shell — and trendy color — make the Away bag look calm, cool, and collected even when you have to smush the sides together to get it fully zipped.

The battery pack lives inside a little hatch near the expandable handle.

While the battery itself is super easy to remove — you just have to push it down lightly and it pops right out — the hatch is a little more difficult to open.

I had to use my nails to get a good hold on the door. Although a seemingly vain part of the experience, if you splurge on a manicure before vacation, it's kind of a bummer to ruin it before the trip even starts.

That being said, having the portable charger came in handy throughout my entire trip. I was able to charge my phone in the airport ...

... but also on the beach. Since it's removable, the battery acts as a portable charger that can be taken anywhere.

But, when we used the battery at the beach, it would turn on and off intermittently even though it was fully charged. It also was pretty slow to charge — one person had only gained 20% battery life in an hour.

The battery is roughly the size of an iPhone 8+.

It fit in my beach pouch easily.

The battery has two USB ports, so I was able to charge a phone and Bluetooth headphones at the same time.

When it came to actually traveling with the bag, there were a few things I loved about the experience. For starters, it looks pretty and made me feel like an influencer.

I also liked that the four double wheels made it easy to roll the bag next to me with little effort, except when it came to the carpeted floor of Newark airport.

The first thing I noticed was how heavy the Away bag was. I'm able to lift up my fully-packed Samsonite by the handle and carry it up and down the subway stairs like a pro, even fully-stuffed.

Even carrying the Away bag down the steps of my apartment, it felt noticeably heavier. It required more effort to lift the Away bag up over a curb and even onto the security check belt at the airport.

Once I got to my gate I counted three other Away Bigger Carry-On bags in my sight. One of them belonged to someone I was traveling with. It made me feel like I was part of a community of travelers.

My flight was completely full, so there was limited overhead space. The crew announced that people would have to check their bags at the gate — thankfully mine fit beautifully in the compartment above.

After using this bag, I realized how much I like to have an outside pouch on my luggage — my Samsonite has two.

I'll usually keep things like disinfecting wipes in the pocket for easy access. Since I was missing that pouch, I left certain items at home and stuffed my wipes in a backpack that sat on the floor under the seat in front of me.

The organization features were my favorite part of the Away bag. The fact that I had a spot for everything was great and made living out of a suitcase for three days much easier than usual.

Plus, everything really stayed in place thanks to the compression panel.

I also thought the built-in lock system was a smart addition. While I thought the bag was really heavy and was annoyed with the lack of an outside pouch, I had no other complaints.

Using the Away luggage made me way more open to actually spending the money on one myself.

And a few months later, I actually did! If you don't have someone to borrow the bag from, but you want to try it out, Away will let you test it out for 100 days so you can decide for yourself.

• Main content

Fly Away Travel

Location & hours.

Suggest an edit

2829 Whipple Ave NW

Canton, OH 44708

You Might Also Consider

Cakeful Travel

Life's too short for "just okay" vacations. Level up with us today. 💫 read more

in Travel Agents

NEO Van Rentals

Travel in comfort! Hit the road in a Dodge Caravan Minivan, Ford Transit, Chevy Express or Nissan NV Mobility Conversion van. Conveniently located in the heart of Amish country, NEO Van Rentals' fleet is clean, well maintained and… read more

in Car Rental

Chandler Elite Services

Ted .. said "We booked transportation to the Cleveland Airport with Chandler Elite Services on Thanksgiving day. Our driver, Vince, was happy to accommodate us even though it was a holiday. He was punctual, courteous and quite friendly. Vince is…" read more

in Town Car Service, Airport Shuttles, Limos

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Best of Canton

Things to do in Canton

Other Travel Services Nearby

Find more Travel Services near Fly Away Travel

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Travel Agencies Near Me

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

FlyAway Vacations LLC is a premier luxury travel agency. We enjoy collaborating with our clients to craft and curate custom travel experiences that surpass expectation. Our exceptional service and attention to detail insures our clients experience vacations that are seamless from beginning to end.

Make Your Vacation Dreams a Reality

We work one on one with our clients to create personalized travel itineraries that bring dreams to fruition.  A free consultation with one of our certified advisors is the perfect place to begin your adventure.

 E xplore Your Travel Options

During the initial consultation we learn about your ideal travel plans and how we can assist you. Once you've decide you're ready to move forward, we will work with you to create a travel itinerary that is curated to your wishes.

Ready, Set, Discover!

Your trip is booked, your bags are packed and you are on your way! 

In the event you need assistance while you're away, we'll be here to help. You can travel confidently knowing you have an advocate from the time you set off on your adventure until you return home.

We are a mother/daughter team who share a love of travel and interest in discovering new places and meeting new friends. 

We believe the investment made in travel expands our connection to the world around us. Travel has the power to refresh and restore us, leave us speechless one minute and turn us into storytellers the next. 

Our mission is to share our passion for travel by providing world class service to our clients with a focus on luxury travel. We would love an opportunity to assist you in creating travel memories to last a lifetime.

• Certified Travel Advisor 
• Co-Owner/ FlyAway Vacations LLC
• Business Operations
• Marketing 

Helpful links

• Universal Passports & Visas, Inc. Click Here
• Luggage Shipping Click Here
• LGBTQ+ Travel Resources Click Here

Government Sites and Agencies

• Travel State Gov Click Here
• CDC Click Here
• S. Embassy Locations Click Here

We serve clients across the United States

(833)-235-2929

Flyaway Kids Bed Review: Airplane Sleep Just Got Easier!

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Trying to get a young child to fall asleep and stay asleep on the plane can be a huge stressor when traveling. Enter the Flyaway Kids Bed!

This innovative product provides a comfortable sleep space for your child on the plane so they can get the best sleep possible. 

We’ve been on a lot of long-haul flights with our young kids and know just how important it is to have a good sleep space for your child. Which is why we were so excited to give the Flyaway Kids Bed a try!

After trying it on several different flights with our kids, we were pleased to find that this inflatable airplane bed was comfortable for our kids, easy to use, and actually helped them to fall asleep and stay asleep during the flight.

If you’re planning a long flight with a young child, this might be just the sleep aid you need! Read on for our full review of the Flyaway Kids Bed to decide if it’s right for you.

We were provided with a Flyaway Kids Bed in exchange for our honest review. All opinions are our own.

What is the Flyaway Kids Bed?

The Flyaway Kids Bed is an inflatable mattress that provides a comfortable space for young children to sleep and play on the airplane. 

It is lightweight and packs away compactly in its carrying case for easy transportation. The bed comes with a pump and can be inflated in less than two minutes and deflated in a matter of seconds. 

Side bumpers create a secure space for your child to sleep and prevent toys from falling onto the floor.

This bed makes it much easier for young kids to sleep on the plane because they have space to lay down and get comfortable. It also feels more like real bed than the plane seat, which helps them to settle in and fall asleep.

Product description

• Weight: 2.8 lbs
• Deflated dimensions: 10” x10”
• Inflated dimensions: 31.5” x 19.5”

• Comes with carry bag and pump
• Side bumpers
• Wipe clean surface
• Comfortable mattress 
• Quick to deflate
• Easy to store in carry bag

Possible drawbacks

• High price tag
• Takes up space in carryon

How to use Flyaway Kids Bed

Once you have boarded your plane, you must wait to inflate the bed until the plane has reached cruising altitude (you must also deflate the bed for landing).

First, make sure the seat belt is out of the way and not under the bed (or else you won’t be able to access it once it’s inflated). 

To inflate the bed, first use the pump to inflate the main compartment (through valve 1). Next inflate the top compartment as much as possible (through valve 2). The top section is made to be adjustable so that the bed can fit securely on seats of various sizes.

When your child is lying down, their head should be next to the seat back, not the tray table. The seat belt should also be used over your child’s chest.

The Flyaway Kids Bed can be used in seats where it does not block another person’s access to the aisle. This means window seats on side rows or middle seats on interior rows. You can also use two beds next to each other if they are the window and middle seat or two middle seats in a row of four.

Our review of Flyaway Kids Bed features

Size and weight.

The Flyaway Kids Bed weighs only 2.8 pounds, making it quite light for the size of bed that you get. It also is fairly compact, but does take up a decent amount of space in a carryon bag. 

We like to travel very light, so I do wish that it took up less valuable space, especially since you only use it for your flights and then you still have to carry it around for the rest of your trip. This is the biggest downside to this bed for me. 

On the other hand, having your young child sleep well on a long flight is worth its weight in gold. (We once had a ten hour night flight from Amsterdam where our 18 month old stayed awake the entire time! Now that was a long flight. If I had had this airplane bed on that flight I’m guessing it would have been a different story.)

If a sleep aid helps your toddler to sleep well on the plane, to me it’s worth a little extra space! And the other passengers would probably agree…

Set up and take down

Setting up the Flyaway Kids Bed is simple and quite quick. The bed can be inflated in less than two minutes using the included pump. 

Be sure to first inflate the section labeled with a “1”, which will inflate the body of the bed, and then move on to the small section labeled “2”, which fills in extra space between bed and seat.

The only awkward part is where to put your child while you’re pumping it up, as you need them out of their seat for a couple of minutes as you inflate the mattress. I found I could just have my son stand behind me on my own seat or sit with my husband for a minute while I set it up.

The bed can be deflated in seconds due to the large valve openings. Be sure to compress it well to get all of that extra air out. I found that I needed to keep my finger in the hole to hold the internal flap open in order to get all the air out.

I also loved that it was easy to get back in the carry bag, as I always find it frustrating when products don’t fit back in the bag well once they’ve been opened and used. And the pump even fits too!

Ease of use

Once you have the bed set up, it’s set for the rest of your flight. It won’t slide out of place or need to be adjusted. 

The bed is equipped with release valves if that pressure gets too great. If the person in front puts their seat back, the bed will adjust automatically by releasing some air. 

Even if your child isn’t sleeping on the flight, the bed also makes a perfect place for little ones to play. It is a flat, level surface with bumpers on each side to prevent toys from falling to the ground.

Obviously the most important factor when assessing this bed was how well my child liked it. I was pleased to see that my kids took to it right away. I’ve used it with all of my kids (ages 2-5) and they all loved it!

The mattress is very thick and cushy while still being firm, making it a perfect surface for sleep and play. And the fact that the top is an unbroken surface means that it won’t shift underneath your child while they are sleeping.

It truly is the most comfortable sleep option I’ve seen for young kids on a plane. 

The first time I used the Flyaway Bed I was amazed to see my son lay right down on the bed and fall asleep within minutes. He slept right up until we landed. He was sleeping so soundly that I actually started deflating the bed and pulled it out from underneath him before landing and he didn’t even wake up! 

One downside to the Flyaway Kids Bed is that it does come with quite a high price tag. However…if you’re going to be flying a lot with young kids I really do think that it is worth the cost, especially if you will be taking a lot of long flights and/or night flights. 

A tired, grumpy toddler makes for a miserable flight, not only for you but also for everyone else on the plane. Having a comfortable sleep space for your child is in everyone’s best interest.

Plus, if they sleep well on the plane you’ll start your trip with a rested child instead of a sleep-deprived one, which can make a huge difference.

Although somewhat expensive, in this case I do think that the value you get is worth the cost.

Tips for using the Flyaway Kids Bed

Wait until the plane is up to inflate the bed (and be ready to deflate it for landing)

As I mentioned above, you’ll need to wait to inflate the bed until after the flight is already up in the air.

And also be prepared to deflate the airplane bed before landing. This can be kind of a pain if your child is sleeping soundly, but most airlines won’t allow you to leave it up for the descent. 

As I mentioned above, if my child is sleeping soundly enough, I have had success with deflating the bed while they are still sleeping on it and pulling it out from underneath them without waking them up (transferring them to a sitting position on their seat).

This might not work for all kids, but my kids can sleep pretty soundly and I try to avoid waking my children until absolutely necessary.

Practice at home before your trip

Plan on setting up your Flyaway Kids Bed at home before your flight. Although the setup is quite intuitive, it’s nice to have experienced it at least once instead of trying to figure it out on a cramped plane with a tired toddler. 

You can enter your flight confident that you can easily inflate the bed and then quickly deflate and store it at the end of the flight.

It’s also a good idea to introduce the bed to your child so that they are familiar with it and know what to expect on the plane. 

Make sure the valve is closed on the other side when trying to inflate

This is kind of a random tip, but I wasted several minutes figuring this out, so I thought I would try to save you some hassle. 

There are two fill valves on the body of the bed (both labeled “1”) so that you can fill it from either side depending on which side of the plane you’re sitting on.

Make sure that the valve on the opposite side is closed before you start trying to blow it up or else all the air will just escape out the other side and you’ll be left wondering why all your pumping isn’t doing anything. 

Seems obvious, but it’s something that had me scratching my head for a few minutes.

Prep your child for sleep on the plane

Anytime you plan for your child to sleep on the plane, it’s a good idea to prepare them before your trip. Explain exactly what will happen once you get on the plane. 

For example, “We’ll get on the plane, read a book while the plane takes off, inflate your bed, and then it will be time for bed! You’ll lay down and go to sleep and I’ll be right next to you the whole time.”

I find my kids do much better when they know what’s coming and are prepared. I would also suggest having your child wear their pajamas so that they are all ready for sleep once they get on the plane. 

Common questions

Is Flyaway Kids Bed Safe?

Yes, the Flyaway Kids Bed is safe! It is designed to be used with the plane’s seat belt to secure your child during the flight. 

It also has a pressure relief valve to prevent the bed from over-inflating. 

Which airlines allow the use of the Flyaway Bed?

While many airlines have approved the use of the Flyaway Bed, there are others where it will be up to the discretion of the flight crew. 

There are only a very few airlines that don’t allow the Flyaway Bed outright.

See the Flyaway Designs website for a complete list of approved airlines .

You can also always call your specific airlines to ask if the bed will be allowed.

What age is Flyaway Kids for?

Flyaway Kids Bed is recommended for children ages 2 to 7. 

We’ve used it with all three of our kids, from ages 2 up to 5. Although the five year old was obviously more cramped than the two year old when lying down, it was still a great sleep solution for him when he folded his legs in.

What is the best sleep aid for kids on a plane?

There are a few different options for airplane beds out there. The one that is best for you will depend on your budget and needs. 

The Flyaway Kids Bed is a great option because it is one of the most comfortable airplane beds out there. It’s also lightweight and easy to use, making it perfect for travel.

Where can I buy the Flyaway Kids Bed?

The Flyaway Kids Bed is available for purchase on the Flyaway Designs website.

Final Thoughts

Flying with young kids can be tricky, but the Flyaway Kids Bed can make it a lot easier! 

This inflatable bed provides a comfortable place for your child to sleep and play during your flight. 

As someone who has been on a lot of long flights with young kids, I can say that having a cozy spot for your child to sleep can make a world of a difference. 

If you’re planning on long flights or night flights with your child, I’d say that the Flyaway Kids Bed is worth the investment!

Other posts you might be interested in:

The Best Airplane Beds for Toddlers

How to Get a Toddler to Sleep on the Plane (Tips that work!)

An Honest SlumberPod Review: The Travel Sleep Aid You Didn’t Know You Needed!

Related Posts: