Travelpro
Travelpro is an American luggage brand founded in 1987 by Bob Plath, a former 747 captain who invented the upright wheeled Rollaboard suitcase. It makes softside and hardside luggage, travel bags and accessories used widely by airline crews.
| Founded | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bob Plath, former 747 captain |
| Invention | Rollaboard upright wheeled suitcase |
| Key collections | Platinum Elite, Maxlite, Crew Classic |
| Website | travelpro.com |
What is Travelpro?
Travelpro is a US luggage brand operated by Travelpro Products, Inc. It was founded in 1987 by Bob Plath, a former Boeing 747 captain, who created the Rollaboard: a two-wheeled suitcase pulled upright by an extendable handle.
History
The brand's origins in the cockpit remain central to its identity. Travelpro describes itself as official crew luggage for a long list of carriers, among them American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, WestJet and Allegiant, and says more than 220,000 aviation professionals use its products.
Products and positioning
Travelpro offers luggage, bags and accessories, including:
- Luggage collections such as Platinum Elite, Platinum Reserve, Maxlite, Crew Classic and Optima, in softside and hardside versions
- Backpacks, totes, underseat bags, garment bags, duffels and laptop bags
- Travel accessories such as toiletry bags, packing cubes and luggage tags
Features include MagnaTrac self-aligning wheels and anti-tip stabilisation.
Why it matters
The Rollaboard defined the modern carry-on suitcase, and Travelpro's crew heritage gives it unusual credibility in the travel goods category.
Frequently asked questions
Who invented the Rollaboard suitcase?
The Rollaboard was invented by Travelpro founder Bob Plath, a former 747 pilot, in 1987.
What does Travelpro sell?
Travelpro sells softside and hardside luggage, travel bags such as backpacks and garment bags, and travel accessories.