Responding to the evolving requirements of modern air travel, WaterField Designs introduced the refreshed Air Porter Carry-On, an underseat personal item updated through direct customer feedback. This enhanced travel bag offers significant improvements in security, organization and material options, all while maintaining its compact footprint designed to fit under most airline seats and preserve legroom.
The development of the refreshed Air Porter Carry-On was inspired by its 10-year anniversary and direct customer feedback gathered through a dedicated Community Design process, the same process followed to create the original bag. The company invited all interested customers—longtime Air Porter users, frequent flyers and prospective buyers—to share ideas for refining the underseat bag to meet up-to-date in-flight needs and habits of business travelers. This process ensures that the Air Porter continues to meet modern travel demands while preserving its award-winning core design.
“The Air Porter has been one of our most trusted bags for ten years, so the goal wasn’t to change what already worked but rather to ask customers what we could do to make it even better,” said company founder Gary Waterfield. “We kept participants involved from ideas through prototypes, gathering feedback along the way. The result is an even more capable, intuitive travel bag.”
Customer-Inspired Enhancements
The updated Air Porter introduces a second size with an additional 2 inches of depth, offering added capacity for overnight or weekend trips while still fitting under airline seats with room for travelers to stretch their legs, a key advantage over many underseat bags.
A new Ecopak sailcloth option delivers strength and durability with cross-ply reinforcement and PFC-free waterproof backing, at a fraction of the weight of traditional materials. Made from 100% recycled components, Ecopak uses no solvents, fluorocarbons, or ovens, reducing CO2 emissions by over a pound per yard.
As more travelers carry both laptops and tablets, WaterField added a padded tablet sleeve that fits a 13-inch iPad with Magic Keyboard alongside the laptop compartment. Designers replaced open pockets with zippered Monolite translucent pockets to keep small items secure and visible.
A Faraday-lined RFID-blocking zippered front pocket helps shield passports and bank cards from electronic skimming in busy airports and on crowded commutes. A discreet AirTag pocket lets travelers track the bag if needed.
The front pocket continues to accommodate the optional Air Caddy, which transfers to a seatback pocket for handy in-flight access. Designers also added pen slots, a hand-sized pocket and a key tether.
Customers increasingly carry larger water bottles and requested side pockets to match. The upgraded pockets use deeper pleats and snap closures that expand or contract to hold a range of bottle sizes securely.
Despite these updates, the Air Porter remains immediately recognizable. It retains its silhouette, underseat-friendly dimensions and core features, including a TSA-friendly compartment, multiple carry options and a structured interior.
New Enhancements
Full-size option adds 2 inches of depth for greater capacity while maintaining legroom
Ecopak option reduces weight while maintaining strength and weather resistance
RFID-blocking zippered front pocket helps protect passports and bank cards from electronic skimming
Front pocket includes pen slots, a hand-sized pocket and a key tether for added organization
Padded tablet sleeve fits up to a 13-inch iPad with Magic Keyboard
Zippered Monolite translucent pockets keep small items secure and easy to locate
Expanded water bottle pockets with snap closures adjust to hold a range of bottle sizes securely
Hidden AirTag pocket lets users track the bag if needed
Original Features (Retained)
Fits under most airline seats while preserving legroom
Structured main compartment holds tech gear and travel essentials
TSA-friendly compartment opens flat for screening
Padded laptop sleeve fits up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro
Three carry options: leather handles, removable shoulder strap, and luggage passthrough
Front pocket fits the optional Air Caddy for in-flight access
Gold interior lining improves visibility
Waterproof YKK zippers with custom hardware
Full-grain leather accents add durability and style
“By involving customers in the process, we’re able to update a product without losing what made it successful in the first place,” Waterfield said. “It’s about making an already popular product even more capable for how people travel today.”
Handcrafted in small batches in San Francisco from full-grain leather and premium materials, the updated Air Porter Carry-On continues WaterField’s commitment to durability, thoughtful design and long-term use.
Availability and Pricing
The Air Porter Carry-On is available at sfbags.com.
Price: Compact $429; Full size $449
Colors: Navy Ecopak with black full-grain leather; black Ecopak with black full-grain leather; tan waxed canvas with chocolate full-grain leather; black ballistic nylon with chocolate full-grain leather.
Materials: Ecopak EPLX450RS, full-grain leather, Monolite mesh, waterproof YKK zippers, custom metal hardware, gold rip-stop nylon lining, closed-cell foam, Faraday RFID-blocking textile, rare-earth magnets.
Dimensions: Compact: 16 x 10.25 x 5.5 inches; Full size: 16 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches
Weight: Compact: Ecopak 2.0 lbs, Ballistic 2.4 lbs, Waxed Canvas 3.2 lbs; Full size: Ecopak 2.4 lbs, Ballistic 2.8 lbs, Waxed Canvas 3.8 lbs.
