Outdoors & Fitness
The Best Checked Luggage: 4 Large Suitcases Compared (and One to Skip)
Four large checked suitcases compared on maker-stated outside dimensions against the 62 linear inch airline limit, empty weight against a 50 lb allowance, shell material, published litres and what each warranty says about airline damage.
The short version
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner is the pick: 29 x 20 x 12 inches outside, ballistic nylon, and a lifetime guarantee that the maker says covers repairs even when an airline did the damage. The Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large is the value buy, a 100% polycarbonate case that the maker measures at 62 linear inches with wheels and handles and 10.9 lb empty. Away The Large suits someone who wants a hardside with airline-mishandling repairs included for five years and does not mind 12.1 lb of empty case and no expansion. Skip the Delsey Helium Aero 32-inch: its listed exterior adds up to 63.75 linear inches before you open the expander, and its warranty excludes damage from airline handling. If you want more on cabin sizes, that lives in our carry-on guide. Best for: travellers who check one large bag for trips of a week or more and want it to stay inside standard size and weight limits.
Our picks at a glance
- Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner - Buy. A ballistic nylon softside that measures 29 x 20 x 12 inches outside and carries a lifetime guarantee that includes airline damage.
- Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large Check-In Hardside Spinner - Buy. A 100% polycarbonate large hardside that the maker measures at 62 linear inches including wheels and carry handles, and 10.9 lb empty.
- Away The Large - It depends. A 100% polycarbonate hardside at 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches with five years of free repairs that include airline mishandling, but heavy and not expandable.
- Delsey Paris Helium Aero 32-Inch Expandable Check-In - Skip. A big polycarbonate case whose listed exterior already exceeds 62 linear inches closed, with a warranty that excludes airline handling.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Stated exterior size
- Linear inches, closed
- Empty weight
- Published capacity
- Shell material
- Expandable
A large checked suitcase has two numbers to beat before it is any use: the 62 linear inch size limit and the 50 lb weight limit that major US airlines apply to a standard checked bag. A surprising number of 28 to 32 inch cases miss the first one once wheels and handles are counted, and the heavy ones eat a quarter of the second before you pack a sock. We took four widely sold large cases, one ballistic nylon softside and three polycarbonate hardsides, and read each maker's own spec table and warranty page. The differences that matter turned out to be linear inches, empty weight and whether the warranty pays for what a baggage belt does.
A ballistic nylon softside that measures 29 x 20 x 12 inches outside and carries a lifetime guarantee that includes airline damage.
Best for: Frequent flyers who check a bag many times a year and want repairs handled for life, whoever broke it.
- The maker's lifetime guarantee says it will repair the bag for life, free of charge and without proof of purchase, even when an airline caused the damage.
- Listed exterior dimensions of 29 x 20 x 12 inches add up to 61 linear inches unexpanded, one inch inside the common 62 inch limit.
- Published capacity runs from 100 to 122 litres because the main compartment expands, which the maker puts at up to 22% extra space.
- At a stated 13.6 lb it is the heaviest case here, leaving about 36 lb of a 50 lb allowance for contents.
- Fully expanded the depth grows to 14.5 inches, which takes the total to 63.5 linear inches and over the standard limit.
- It is the most expensive of the four by a wide margin.
- The guarantee does not cover cosmetic wear such as scuffs, stains or fading, and you pay to ship the bag in for repair.
A 100% polycarbonate large hardside that the maker measures at 62 linear inches including wheels and carry handles, and 10.9 lb empty.
Best for: Travellers who want the most packing room that still measures 62 linear inches on the maker's own tape, at a mid-range price.
- Travelpro publishes both case size and overall size, and the overall figure of 30.5 x 19.5 x 12 inches with wheels and handles is 62 linear inches.
- At a stated 10.9 lb it is the lightest of the three hardsides here while listing the largest hardside volume that fits the limit, 114 litres.
- The shell is stated as 100% polycarbonate with reinforced inner corner guards, not an ABS blend.
- Airline damage is covered only for the first year, and only if you register the bag within 120 days of delivery.
- The base warranty is a limited one for defects in materials and workmanship affecting wheels, zippers and handles.
- The 2 inch expansion pushes the case past 62 linear inches, and the maker itself advises measuring it expanded.
- The page does not say whether the 114 litre figure is measured expanded or closed.
A 100% polycarbonate hardside at 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches with five years of free repairs that include airline mishandling, but heavy and not expandable.
Best for: Buyers who want a hardside and place more value on included airline-damage repairs than on low empty weight.
- Away's current coverage includes free repairs for functional damage from airline mishandling for the first five years, with round trip shipping paid.
- Stated exterior of 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches, measured with handles and wheels, comes to 62 linear inches.
- The maker publishes interior dimensions as well as exterior, plus weight and a 104 litre capacity, so nothing has to be guessed.
- At 12.1 lb it is 1.2 lb heavier than the Travelpro while listing 10 fewer litres.
- This version does not expand; expansion is a separate model, The Large Flex.
- Sitting exactly at 62 linear inches leaves no margin if an agent's tape reads generously.
- The five year coverage described applies to suitcases bought from April 14, 2026; earlier purchases fall under older terms.
A big polycarbonate case whose listed exterior already exceeds 62 linear inches closed, with a warranty that excludes airline handling.
Best for: Road trips, cruises and moves where no airline tape measure is involved.
- It is the roomiest case here on paper, with a stated interior volume of 109 litres closed and 120 litres expanded.
- The shell is stated as polycarbonate and the case has a built-in TSA-accepted combination lock.
- Delsey publishes interior and exterior volume separately, which is more candid than a single headline number.
- The listed exterior of 31.5 x 19.5 x 12.75 inches is 63.75 linear inches closed and 65 with the expander open at 14 inches deep.
- Delsey's warranty excludes defects caused by handling by third parties such as airlines.
- The product page shows three different warranty lengths: a 3 year worldwide badge, a 10 year limited warranty line and a spec row reading 3 years.
- It weighs a stated 12.1 lb, the same as the Away, without any airline-damage coverage to show for it.
| Criteria | Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner Top pick | Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large Check-In Hardside Spinner | Away The Large | Delsey Paris Helium Aero 32-Inch Expandable Check-In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Frequent flyers who check a bag many times a year and want repairs handled for life, whoever broke it. | Travellers who want the most packing room that still measures 62 linear inches on the maker's own tape, at a mid-range price. | Buyers who want a hardside and place more value on included airline-damage repairs than on low empty weight. | Road trips, cruises and moves where no airline tape measure is involved. |
| Price tier | $$ · premium | $ · mid-range | $$ · premium | $ · mid-range |
| Stated exterior size | 29 x 20 x 12 in (14.5 in deep expanded) | 30.5 x 19.5 x 12 in with wheels and handles | 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 in with handles and wheels | 31.5 x 19.5 x 12.75 in (14 in deep expanded) |
| Linear inches, closed | 61 | 62 (maker's figure) | 62 | 63.75 |
| Empty weight | 13.6 lb | 10.9 lb | 12.1 lb | 12.1 lb |
| Published capacity | 100 to 122 L | 114 L | 104 L | 109 L interior, 120 L expanded |
| Shell material | Ballistic nylon | 100% polycarbonate | 100% polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
| Expandable | Yes, up to 22% | Yes, 2 in | No | Yes |
| Warranty as stated | Lifetime guarantee | Lifetime limited warranty | Free repairs for 5 years, repair support for life | Page shows both 3 years and 10 years |
| Airline damage | Covered for life | Year one only, if registered within 120 days | Covered free for first 5 years | Excluded |
Which one is right for you?
- Frequent flyers who check a bag many times a year and want repairs handled for life, whoever broke it. Buy it Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner
- Travellers who want the most packing room that still measures 62 linear inches on the maker's own tape, at a mid-range price. Buy it Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large Check-In Hardside Spinner
- Buyers who want a hardside and place more value on included airline-damage repairs than on low empty weight. It depends Away The Large
- Road trips, cruises and moves where no airline tape measure is involved. Skip it Delsey Paris Helium Aero 32-Inch Expandable Check-In
How we judged the field
Five things decide whether a large checked case works. First, outside dimensions with wheels and handles, added up and held against 62 linear inches, because that is what a check-in agent measures. Second, empty weight, since every pound of case comes out of a 50 lb allowance. Third, shell material as the maker states it: polycarbonate, an ABS blend, aluminium or ballistic nylon behave differently when thrown. Fourth, capacity in litres as published, with a note on whether that is interior, exterior or expanded. Fifth, the warranty’s exclusions, and in particular whether airline damage is in or out, because that is how most checked bags die.
The field splits three ways. Premium softsides trade weight for repairability and long guarantees. Direct-to-consumer polycarbonate cases sit right at 62 inches and compete on coverage and looks. Then there are extra-large cases in the 31 to 33 inch range that offer the most litres and quietly exceed the limit. We picked one of each of the first two, a lighter mid-range polycarbonate case as the value option, and a popular oversize case as the one to skip. Every figure below comes from the maker’s own product or warranty page. Cabin sizes and spinner wheel basics are covered in our carry-on luggage guide, so they are not repeated here.
The Baseline Large Expandable Spinner is a ballistic nylon softside, and Briggs & Riley lists its exterior at 29 x 20 x 12 inches. That is 61 linear inches, the only case here with an inch to spare. Capacity is published as 100 to 122 litres because the main compartment expands, by up to 22% according to the maker, and the interior is flat with garment panels and compression. The reason to pay for it is the guarantee. Briggs & Riley states that if the bag is ever damaged, even by an airline, it will repair it for life, free of charge, with no proof of purchase. Cosmetic wear is excluded and you cover shipping to the repair centre. The trade-offs are real. It weighs 13.6 lb, the heaviest here, so about 36 lb of a 50 lb allowance is left for contents. Opened to its full 14.5 inch depth it measures 63.5 linear inches. And it is by far the most expensive of the four. It is for people who fly often enough that a broken wheel is a matter of when.
Travelpro does something more makers should: it publishes case dimensions and overall dimensions separately, then does the sum for you. The Maxlite Air V2 Large is 27.5 x 18.5 x 12 inches as a packing body and 30.5 x 19.5 x 12 inches with wheels and carry handles, which Travelpro states as 62 linear inches. Empty weight is 10.9 lb and volume is listed at 114 litres, so it is both the lightest hardside here and the largest one that fits the limit. The shell is stated as 100% polycarbonate with reinforced inner corner guards, and there is a built-in TSA lock and a 2 inch expander. Coverage is where it gives ground. The limited warranty is for defects in materials and workmanship. Airline damage is covered only during the first year, and only if you register within 120 days of delivery. Open the expander and you are over 62 inches, as the maker’s own FAQ warns. It is for the traveller who wants maximum legal volume at a mid-range price and will remember to register.
Away The Large is the hardside for people who want someone else to deal with baggage-belt damage. Away’s current LifetimeCare coverage includes free repairs for functional damage from manufacturing defects and from airline mishandling for the first five years, with round trip shipping paid and one replacement if the case cannot be fixed. After five years repair support continues for the life of the case, complimentary in Away stores, with round trip shipping still covered. Scuffs, scratches and dents that do not affect function are excluded. These terms apply to suitcases bought from April 14, 2026. The spec table is complete: 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches outside including handles and wheels, 26.9 x 19.7 x 10.6 inches inside, 104 litres, 12.1 lb, 100% polycarbonate shell. That adds up to exactly 62 linear inches. Against the Travelpro it is 1.2 lb heavier with 10 fewer litres, it costs more, and it does not expand; Away sells a separate Large Flex for that. It suits a buyer who values the coverage and the look over weight. If you weigh in near 50 lb every trip, the lighter case is the better call.
The Helium Aero line is a common sight at baggage claim, and the 32-inch is the size people reach for when they want one bag for the whole family. On paper it delivers: Delsey lists 109 litres of interior volume, 120 litres expanded, in a polycarbonate shell at 12.1 lb. The problem is the outside. The listed exterior is 31.5 x 19.5 x 12.75 inches, which is 63.75 linear inches with the case closed, and 65 with the expander open to 14 inches. That is over the standard limit before you pack. Whether an agent measures is down to luck, and the oversize charge on a single flight can rival the price gap to a better case. The warranty does not help. Delsey’s terms exclude defects caused by handling by third parties such as airlines, and the product page itself shows a 3 year worldwide warranty badge, a limited 10 year warranty line and a spec row reading 3 years. It is fine for car trips and cruises. For flying, the smaller sizes in the same line are the ones to look at, after checking their dimensions.
Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner vs Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large Check-In Hardside Spinner: which should you buy?
The two buys answer different questions. The Travelpro wins on the numbers you can weigh and measure: 10.9 lb against 13.6 lb, and 114 litres inside 62 linear inches. Those 2.7 lb are contents you get to pack on every flight. The Briggs & Riley wins on what happens in year three, when a wheel housing cracks on a connection through a busy hub. Its guarantee covers that for life without a receipt. Travelpro’s airline-damage cover has ended by then, and only existed if you registered.
Choose by how often you fly and how you pack. If you check a bag a few times a year and tend to weigh in close to the limit, the Travelpro is the sensible buy and the saving is large. If you fly monthly, or you have already replaced a suitcase because of handling damage, the Briggs & Riley’s cost spreads over many years of repairs you will not pay for. Material preference matters too: the nylon case has an outside pocket and opens like a lid, while the polycarbonate one opens as a clamshell and needs room for both halves.
What to look for
- Linear inches with wheels: add the maker’s exterior height, width and depth and compare the total with 62, and check the spec table says whether wheels and handles are included.
- Empty weight: subtract it from 50 lb to see what is left for contents; the four cases here range from 10.9 lb to 13.6 lb.
- Stated shell material: look for a plain statement such as 100% polycarbonate or ballistic nylon, and treat vague terms like hardshell or PC-style as a prompt to ask what the blend is.
- Airline damage in the warranty: read the exclusions for wording about third-party handling, airlines or common carriers, because that one line separates the coverage in this group.
- Expansion maths: find the expanded depth and redo the sum, since an expander can take a compliant case over the size limit.
- Which litres: check whether the published capacity is interior, exterior or expanded, as Delsey’s own table shows a 20 litre gap between interior and exterior volume on one case.
Our final take
Buy the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner if you fly often and want a case you can keep repaired for life, airline damage included; accept that it is heavy and expensive. Buy the Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large if you want the lightest hardside here at exactly 62 linear inches for a mid-range price, and register it so the first-year airline cover applies. Away The Large is a reasonable middle route for hardside buyers who want five years of mishandling repairs built in. Skip the Delsey Helium Aero 32-inch for air travel, because its own listed dimensions put it over the standard limit. Whatever you choose, pack it with the cubes from our packing cubes guide and weigh it before you leave home.
Questions, answered
What is the size limit for a checked bag?
Major US airlines such as American and Delta set the standard checked bag at 62 linear inches, which is height plus width plus depth, and 50 lb in most economy fares. Airlines measure the whole bag, so wheels and handles count. A case sold as 28 or 29 inches can still pass or fail depending on its width and depth. Limits vary by airline, route and fare, so check the baggage page for the flight you booked. Add the three outside numbers from the maker's spec table before you buy.
Do suitcase warranties cover airline damage?
Most do not. A typical limited warranty covers manufacturing defects in wheels, zippers and handles and excludes damage from third-party handling; Delsey's terms say this in so many words. Briggs & Riley is the exception in this group, stating it will repair airline damage for life at no charge. Away includes airline mishandling in its free repairs for the first five years on current purchases. Travelpro covers airline damage for one year if you register the bag within 120 days. Read the exclusions list, not the headline.
What should I do if an airline damages my suitcase?
Report it to the airline before you leave the airport if you can. The US Department of Transportation publishes guidance on what airlines owe you for bags damaged in their care, and it is worth reading before you file, since normal wear and tear is generally not something an airline pays for. Briggs & Riley and Delsey both tell owners to file with the carrier first. A maker's repair cover is a second line, useful when the airline claim is slow or refused.
Is a hardside or softside suitcase better for checking?
Neither wins outright. Polycarbonate shells flex on impact and shrug off rain on the tarmac, but they scuff and the clamshell opening needs floor space for both halves. Ballistic nylon softsides hide scuffs, usually add outside pockets and open like a lid, but they tend to weigh more: the nylon Briggs & Riley here is 13.6 lb against 10.9 lb for the polycarbonate Travelpro. If your trips run close to 50 lb, the lighter shell matters more than the material debate.
Can I use the expander on a checked bag without paying oversize fees?
Often not on a large case. Expansion adds depth, and depth counts toward linear inches. The Briggs & Riley goes from 61 to 63.5 linear inches fully expanded, and Travelpro tells buyers to measure and weigh its case expanded, the way it will fly. Expansion also invites enough extra contents to pass 50 lb. Treat the expander as room for the trip home on a medium case, or for car and rail travel, and keep a large case closed at the airport.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner vs Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Large Check-In Hardside Spinner.
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