The Perfect Carry-On for Air Canada and WestJet Travelers
Let’s start with…perfectly fits both Air Canada and Westjet's carry-on sizes and go from there.
Briggs & Riley has consistently made some of the best rolling carry-ons available in the luggage industry, and their latest addition is no exception. It’s official title is “Global Baseline Carry-on Spinner“, and…well…while the name is a little long, it is indeed all of these things.
Why This Carry-On Exists: Airline Size Restrictions Explained
This bag was launched as a response to WestJet moving away from the Air Canada carry-on size of 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches and coming up with their own carry-on size, which is currently 21 x 15 x 9 inches. Notice the difference? WestJet made their carry-on 1/2 of an inch smaller, making many bags on the market obsolete. That’s right…1/2 an inch. Anyway, in order to address the new carry-on size, Briggs launched the bag we are currently reviewing, and what a bag it is. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with this bag quite a number of times this year, and gotta say I really, really like it.
This bag was designed to:
- Fit both airline requirements
- Eliminate the stress of gate-checking
- Give travelers confidence at boarding
First Impressions After Real Travel Use
Upgraded Spinner Wheels Performance
The wheels Briggs are now using are a huge upgrade from the spinner wheels they have used in the past. The bags seem to cruise along without any sign of lag, drag, or doggin' it.
Interior Design and Garment Storage
The interior, like all Briggs bags, packs flat (a thing of beauty) and has a suiter or garment sleeve in the lid (I usually fit 4 button-up shirts on hangers).
Expandable Carry-On Storage Capacity
On the interior, at top and bottom, you’ll see the ratchet expansion system which allows you to expand the bag a full 2.5 inches and adds an amazing 12 litres of packing space. Now you’re probably thinking, “Doesn’t expanding my carry-on make it NOT a carry-on…you idiot” and you’re right, it does, kind of. Let me explain.
Real World Use of the Expansion Feature
The expansion is of course uber useful if you are alright using it with extra clothing, shoes etc. and then checking, but…I’ve found another use. I was recently traveling and had the opportunity to have 2 bottles of duty free brought to my seat. My Briggs bag was in the overhead with space to spare, so I brought it down onto my seat, opened it, expanded it, and voila! Plenty of space for 2 bottles of tax free booze! It fit back into the overhead fully expanded, and still fit easily down the aisle when exiting the plane!
Smart Storage and Pocket Organization
The front pocket of the suitcase is perfect for my 15″ mac (in a sleeve), the back pocket is perfect for my power brick and adapters, the short pocket is perfect for my coins, watch, pens, and, well, the most perfect feature might just be that you can be confident knowing that it is a legal carry-on with both Air Canada and Westjet.
Carry-On Compliance with Canadian Airlines
Like I said…Perfect.
Check out all our Briggs and Riley Luggages.
1 comment
I’m a huge Briggs & Riley fan and recently reviewed the Commuter Expandable Spinner on my blog. Between my husband and I, we own four B & R pieces. They’re exceptionally practical, durable, and come with a kick-ass lifetime warranty. The expansion feature really is a lifesaver when you’ve done a little too much shopping abroad, and you’ve travelled with just a carry-on. ;)
https://tagalongtravel.com/review-briggs-riley-commuter-expandable-spinner/