Air Travel Backpack
Air Travel Backpack
Sized for maximum allowable carry-on item on most airlines
Sized for maximum allowable carry-on item on most airlines
Top down vertical view. Convenient top zippered pocket
Top down vertical view. Convenient top zippered pocket
Top pocket for frequently-accessed items
Top pocket for frequently-accessed items
Zippered front pocket is divided into two compartments
Zippered front pocket is divided into two compartments
Two pockets are divided by internal seam for better organization
Two pockets are divided by internal seam for better organization
Convenient key hook included
Convenient key hook included
Side water bottle pocket expands as needed
Side water bottle pocket expands as needed
Built-in security for double zipper pulls
Built-in security for double zipper pulls
Two separate compartments for tech gear and personal gear
Two separate compartments for tech gear and personal gear
Office compartment: padded sleeves, organizational pockets
Office compartment: padded sleeves, organizational pockets
Mobile office holds two computers
Mobile office holds two computers
Dedicated compartment for personal items
Dedicated compartment for personal items
Roomy interior provides flexibility when packing
Roomy interior provides flexibility when packing
Mesh zippered pockets and sturdy straps keep items in place
Mesh zippered pockets and sturdy straps keep items in place
Comfortable shoulder straps
Comfortable shoulder straps
Front sternum strap
Front sternum strap
Side profile has minimal bulge
Side profile has minimal bulge
Vertical carry
Vertical carry
Horizontal carry
Horizontal carry
Back view: Secure dangling straps conveniently
Back view: Secure dangling straps conveniently
Front view
Front view
Conveniently slips  onto suitcase handles
Conveniently slips onto suitcase handles
Pass-through slot in back
Pass-through slot in back
Air Caddy holds tablet for in-flight entertainment (sold separately)
Air Caddy holds tablet for in-flight entertainment (sold separately)
Ballistic with Chocolate Leather
Ballistic with Chocolate Leather
Ballistic with Black Leather
Ballistic with Black Leather
Ballistic with Blue Leather
Ballistic with Blue Leather
Ballistic with Red Leather
Ballistic with Red Leather
Waxed Canvas with Chocolate Leather
Waxed Canvas with Chocolate Leather

Air Travel Backpack


Designed for the maximum size allowed for a carry-on, the Air Travel Backpack lets you pack personal items and tech gear in two separate compartments. A dedicated mobile office section has padded sleeves for two laptops with pockets for accessories. Perfectly sized for remote work escapes and weekend getaways. 


Optional: Air Caddy for storing in-flight entertainment. 

All our products are crafted locally in our workshop by the most skilled sewing team in San Francisco.


Material:

  • 1050 denier ballistic nylon or durable waxed canvas
  • Premium full-grain leather accents
  • More details here

Dimensions & Weight:

  • 14.0” (l) x 7”(w) x 21.5” (h); 3.9 lbs. (ballistic), 4.6 lbs (canvas)
  • 35.6 (l) x 17.78 (w) x 54.61 (h) cm; 1.76 kg (ballistic), 2.08 kg (canvas)
    Volume: 35 Liters

FEATURES

  • Padded, moisture-wicking, backpack straps can be tucked away.
  • Two leather grab handles allow a horizontal or vertical carry.
  • Backpack panel slides over a luggage handle for breezing through airports.
  • Removable and height-adjustable, chest compression straps help distribute weight.
  • Main compartment features ample space for travel gear and zippered mesh pockets for visibility.
  • Compression straps and zippered mesh pockets keep gear in place and organized.
  • Office compartment features padded laptop and tablet pockets and various organization pockets.
  • Front full-length zippered pocket features one large and one small pocket with attached key leash.
  • Discreet zippered pocket on top is easily accessible when bag stands upright.
  • Expandable side pocket fits up to a 3.5-inch diameter bottle or umbrella.
  • Smooth-gliding, lockable, waterproof zippers can hook to a side D-ring for added security.
  • Gold, water-resistant liner lights up interior and wipes clean easily.

ADD-ONS

The Air Travel Backpack is part of the Air Travel Collection of bags.

SHIPPING 
  • Domestic: Flat rate 2-day shipping.  Details.
  • International: 2-3 business day delivery. Country duty/tax calculated at Checkout. Details.

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
75%
(9)
25%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Joshua T. (Arkansas, United States)
Excellent Quality!

This is my second Waterfield bag. 2 years’ reckless use and my first bag is still in perfect shape. This backpack is now my go-to weekender and flying sidekick.

Right balance of dividers/organization without cutting usable space. Love the tough materials and subtle security features, without the style compromises of true security packs.

A
Adam C. (California, United States)
First trip: Unqualified success

Travel has meant a wheelie suitcase and a laptop bag. My suitcase and I don’t get along, and I got tired of fighting with it. Enter the Air Travel Backpack. I was able to fit four days of clothes, toiletry kit, extra pair of shoes, snacks, MacBook Pro, cables and plugs for all my gear, and a Tech Pocket with my iPad mini, and while there wasn’t room for pretty much anything else after that, it was the perfect size for all of it. I particularly like the top pocket for quick-access stuff: Putting my iPhone and wallet in there while pushing the bag through the X-ray machine made my life so much easier than having to find a place or get a dog dish to hold those items. What really caught me by surprise, though, was how comfortable it was to wear. The straps are that good, and being able to tuck them away when I’m carrying it like a suitcase is a great feature. As an added bonus, the tablet sleeve is large enough to house my MacBook Pro 14, so if I ever need to take a larger work laptop with me as well, it won’t be a problem. I’m super impressed with this backpack!

D
David Z. (Île-de-France, France)
Air Travel Backpack

Awesome bag. Fit my laptop, travel monitor, mouse, iPad and all the attachments. Has enough room for a weeks worth of clothes and extra stuff.
Great design and comfortable. Way to go Waterfield!

S
SoonKyu Y. (Seoul, South Korea)
air travel bag review

Hi
First of all, it is awesome.
I brought it to my Singapore trip, and it is very convenient and useful.
Also, someone asked me where I got it from.
Two thumbs up!

R
Ryan J. (Iowa, United States)
Need to be broken in

I've been really enjoying this bag for an all-in-one solution for carrying to work my office supplies (computer, mouse, keyboard, headset), my workout attire, my lunchbox, and pretty much everything else I need in a day at the office. It's probably the most comfortable backpack I've ever worn, so I know a lot of thought has gone into the design of the straps and back padding. Take note that it does have some volume of the pack higher than usual backpacks. I have been clotheslined by this bag a few times when I duck out of a vehicle or under a low garage door.
I wear it as a backpack when I carry something else in my hands or for the comfort, but I really like the side handle to carry it as a larger briefcase with the back straps held in place. Taking it off of my back on my left and grabbing the handle with my right hand while I get into my car to place it in my passenger seat has been really nice. You don't think about it until you have to do that every day. Holding it sideways has presented a problem with the design. There are some internal pockets in the portable office portion that aren't enclosed, so some more slippery object fall out when carrying it this way. It would be nice if this was thought of in the design.
One other note that I have, hence the title of this review, is that it needs to be broken in. This bag is made from amazing materials, so I know it's going to impress everyone, but those materials need some love before you're in and out easily. Currently, I still have to muscle some of the zippers open because the material is folded over them or the zippers are too close to other zippers and they snag on each other. I know it will get easier with time, but it's a small frustration today.

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Traveling on Easy Mode with the Air Travel Backpack

Nintendeal - December 5, 2023

“Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the Air Travel Backpack. If you have expensive tech to protect, and are curious about one bag travel, you should absolutely consider the Air Travel Backpack from WaterField Designs.”


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Waterfield Air Travel Backpack review

T3 5/5 stars Platinum AwardT3 - June 22, 2022

“Could you live out of the Air Travel Backpack for days on end? Sure. Could you walk off a plane straight into a business meeting with the Air Travel Backpack? Absolutely. It may have a big price tag but this beautifully made product should have just as big of an appeal.”


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WaterField Air Travel Backpack review: Perfect bag for hands-free business travel

ZDNet - October 29, 2021

“There are a number of methods to carry your essentials for business travel, and after a couple of short business trips, I think WaterField's latest bag may be exactly what I've been looking for. It's perfect for short trips with no other bags or even longer trips where you check another piece of luggage.”

9.5/10 - Spectacular


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Waterfield Air Travel Backpack review: Briefcase and backpack in one

iMore RecommendediMore - August 25, 2021

“This classic and elegant carry-on bag can be used as a tech backpack or briefcase.”


SIZE GUIDE

The Air Travel Backpack is sized to meet the maximum allowable carry-on on most airlines. It has two main sections: a mobile office compartment for your tech gear and a spacious compartment for personal items. The mobile office compartment organizes gear in multiple pockets and two padded pockets protect two laptops, or a laptop and a tablet. These devices can fit in these padded pockets: 
 

  1. Laptop pocket fits laptops up to 15" x 10":
    • 16" MacBook Pro
    • 14" MacBook Pro
    • 13" MacBook Pro
    • NEW 15" MacBook Air
    • 13" MacBook Air
    • Dell XPS 15
    • Surface Laptop 5 (13.5" & 15")
    • Lenovo X1 Carbon
       
  2. Tablet pocket fits tablets up to 13" x 9":
    • 12.9" iPad Pro M2 with Magic Keyboard
    • 11" iPad Pro M2 with Magic Keyboard
    • 11" iPad Air with Magic Keyboard
    • Pixel Slate
    • Surface Pro 9

NOTE: An optional Air Caddy can be stored in the padded compartment or airline seat-back pocket. It is custom-fitted for these tablets:

  • 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard
  • 11" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard
  • iPad Mini
  • and other similarly-size tablets

THE AIR TRAVEL COLLECTION 

 

The bags and accessories in the Air Travel Collection are designed to be carried on board. Some can fit under the seat in front, in the seat back pocket, or in the overhead bin. They meet most airlines' carry-on size requirements so you can avoid checking in luggage.

All have dedicated compartments for holding tech gear so they stay separated from clothes and accessories. The Collection includes the large Air Travel Backpack the smaller Air Porter Backpack, Air Duffel, Air Porter Brief, and the Air Caddy

YOUR MOBILE OFFICE

A dedicated compartment for your tech gear holds everything you'll need to work remotely. Multiple pockets organize your cords, cables, charges, pens, and stylus. 

 

Your electronics are easily accessible and stay separate from your personal gear. 

PACKING JUST GOT EASIER

Keep your personal items in its own dedicated compartment. The roomy interior's bright yellow liner helps light up the contents so you can quickly scan for quick retrieval. The open space lets you assemble your items in the most efficient way possible. 

 

Two sturdy straps keep everything in place so your apparel stays neat and organized. Zippered mesh pockets keep small items easily accessible. 

SECURE CLOSURE

For peace of mind, we've added an extra challenge for any unwelcome hands that might try to open your Air Travel Backpack. Double zipper pulls hook to a D-ring on one side of the bag so they're secured until you are ready to open your bag. 

 

For even more security, you can lock the zipper pulls together with a small lock (not included). 

COMMUNITY-DESIGNED TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

We love involving customers in community-design projects because their input often lead to entire new collections. When we set out to design the Next Generation In-flight Carry and the In-flight Personal Item, we ended up with two types of carry-on bags: the Air Porter (stands up underneath an airline seat) and the Air Duffel  (maximum personal item carry-on size). 

 

Customers also wanted third type of carry-on for longer trips: a backpack. Meet the Air Travel Backpack, a bag that meets most airlines' carry-on requirements. Like the rest of the Air Travel Collection, the Air Travel Backpack includes details for making travel easy, organized, and more convenient.  


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