REVIEWS / LUGGAGE / OWNER INSIGHTS
🦉 WE READ 88 OWNER COMMENTS
Away The Carry-On: what owners actually say
Owners love the aesthetic and packing capacity but question whether the build quality justifies the premium over Travelpro and Briggs & Riley
What owners complain about
- Handle sturdiness SOME
Owners report the telescoping handle does not feel sturdy, and some directly compare it unfavorably to Monos, which they found had a much more solid handle.
- Warranty not honored for cosmetic/structural damage FEW
One owner of the large FLEX model reported the hardshell caved in with scratches and a frayed zipper after a single trip. Away refused warranty coverage, calling it 'still functional.' The owner was deeply dissatisfied.
- Branding is too loud SOME
The exterior logo and lining design are criticized as looking like a 'whole billboard ad,' which puts off owners who prefer subtlety.
- Weight eats into airline limits FEW
Owners note the case is heavy enough that with a 7–8 kg airline weight limit, the bag itself consumes roughly half the allowance before packing.
- Seen as mediocre quality masked by marketing COMMON
Multiple commenters call Away a brand with 'good advertising' but 'mediocre' build, and consistently steer buyers toward Travelpro or Briggs & Riley for actual quality and longevity.
What owners love
- Aesthetic design
Owners and prospective buyers consistently praise the visual design, with some comparing it favorably to premium brands like Rimowa at a lower price point.
- Fits regional jet overhead bins
A concrete, repeated advantage owners highlight: the carry-on fits US regional jet overhead bins without valet checking — a practical win for frequent domestic flyers.
- Good packing capacity
Owners report fitting a surprising amount inside, with one calling out the compression side as functional and useful.
- Warranty customer service
While warranty outcomes are disputed, multiple owners say Away's customer service is responsive for warranty-related issues, and one explicitly recommends sticking with Away because 'the warranty is so much better' than competitors'.
Surprising patterns
- Away includes a travel/wanderlust book inside the suitcase — multiple buyers mention this as a genuinely appealing touch that influenced their purchase.
- Owners who have used both Away and Monos say the two are so similar in form and function that the rational move is simply to buy whichever is on sale.
- At least one commenter was drawn to purchase partly because Away ran a promotion giving free ON Cloud running shoes with each suitcase purchase.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
Travelers who prioritize long-term durability and a no-questions lifetime warranty over aesthetics — this crowd consistently recommends Briggs & Riley or Travelpro instead.
Synthesised from 88 real owner comments across 5 platforms. Every point is grounded in the comments — no marketing, no AI guessing. How we do it →