Register

What’s Really in an Airline Pilot’s Flight Bag?

A FLYING Magazine reader asks a question plenty of us outside the airline industry have wondered about.

So, what's in that bag, anyway? [File Photo: Adobe Stock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Traditionally, airline pilots' "brain bags" or "kit bags" were heavy leather bags packed with extensive paper manuals, charts, navigation tools, and other essential equipment.
  • These bags often reflected a pilot's personality through external stickers and contained personal items beyond official flight necessities.
  • The introduction of electronic flight bags (EFBs) like iPads has significantly reduced the need for bulky paper content, making modern pilot bags much lighter and more compact.
See a mistake? Contact us.

What’s Really in an Airline Pilot’s Flight Bag?

In my career, the two most-prominent labels used when referring to the piece of airline pilot luggage that, at one time, kept chiropractors in business was either “brain bag” or “kit bag.” Distinguished by stickers and decals, the outside of the bag reflected a pilot’s personality and told a story.

The good-quality bags were leather, and real pilots schlepped them by hand—wheels were for sissies. We stuffed them with

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE