For most business trips, the best suitcase is a hard-shell carry-on. It keeps you away from the baggage belt, protects a laptop and documents, and looks composed in a hotel lobby or a client's reception. For longer trips, a check-in case in the same design keeps things consistent. Aluminium adds the durability that frequent travel asks for, with a quiet, professional presence.
What business travel asks of a suitcase
A holiday case travels once or twice a year. A business case may travel ten, twenty or fifty times. That changes the brief. It needs to be:
- Reliable: wheels, handle and closure that keep working under frequent use and tight schedules
- Fast: small enough to take into the cabin, organised enough to pack and unpack in minutes
- Protective: a rigid shell for a laptop, documents and clothing that has to arrive uncreased
- Presentable: a case that suits a suit, not one that distracts from it
Carry-on first: skip the baggage claim
For trips of one to three days, travel with hand luggage only. You walk straight from the aircraft to the taxi, you never wait at the belt and your case cannot go missing in transit. On a day with meetings, that time matters.
Most European airlines allow a cabin case of around 55 × 40 × 20 to 25 cm. The Original Carry-on measures 53 × 39.5 × 22 cm and holds 38 litres, enough for two or three days with a suit, shirts and a pair of smart shoes. Some airlines publish slightly smaller limits on one side. KLM, for example, uses 55 × 35 × 25 cm in economy as of 2026, while its Business class allows two cabin pieces with 18 kg in total. Always check the current rules of your airline before flying.
The Front Pocket: laptop and documents at hand
The Original Carry-on Front Pocket is designed for working travel. It measures 53 × 39.5 × 23.5 cm, holds 40 litres and weighs 4.8 kg. The front compartment holds a laptop and documents, so you can take your laptop out at security without opening the main case. Boarding pass, passport, a notebook and a charger stay within reach as well.
Behind it, the main compartment works like every Original: a fully lined interior with a strap on one side for shirts and trousers, and a zipped divider on the other for shoes, a toiletry bag and cables. Everything has a place, which makes a hotel room feel organised within minutes.
Presentation: the case is part of the impression
In a business setting, your luggage is seen before you say a word. Aluminium communicates care without needing a logo: clean lines, a ribbed shell and a finish that reads as considered. The Original comes in Silver and Black. Silver is the classic choice and catches the light. Black is more discreet and sits naturally beside a dark suit.
Over time, aluminium collects small dents and scratches. We see that as patina rather than damage: every mark tells the story of where you have been. For many business travellers that character is exactly the point. Through the Amice atelier, you can also have your initials added.
Durability for frequent travel
A case that fails on the way to a meeting is more than an inconvenience. The Original is built for repetition: a 100% aluminium shell, a frame closure with no zips in the shell, silent 360° spinner wheels, a multi-stage telescopic handle and a TSA-approved combination lock that you set with your own code.
The Original collection carries a lifetime guarantee against material and manufacturing defects, such as faults in closures, locks or construction. Normal wear, scratches and dents, and damage caused by airlines or third parties are not covered; airline damage should be reported to the airline. Because the case is made to last, the cost per trip becomes small over the years, and many entrepreneurs purchase their luggage through their company for that reason.
Carry-on, check-in or both?
- One to three days: the Original Carry-on, or the Front Pocket if you travel with a laptop
- Four days or more, trade fairs, samples: the Original Check-in, 65 × 48 × 25 cm, 78 litres, 5.5 kg
- Both kinds of trip: a carry-on and a check-in in the same design, so you always have the right size and a matching pair
Packing for a business trip
Choose crease-resistant fabrics if you go straight from the airport to a meeting. Bring versatile pieces: one pair of trousers that works with a suit jacket and with a casual shirt gives you several outfits in little space. Fold the blazer and lay it flat as the top layer. Use pouches or packing cubes for clothing, electronics and documents, so moving between cities takes minutes. Our guide on how to pack a suitcase efficiently covers the method in more detail.
For companies: suitcases as business gifts
A well-made suitcase is a gift that is used for years and remembered each time it travels. Companies choose Amice for client gifts, milestones, team incentives and as part of a travel policy for staff who are often on the road. On the Business Gifts page you can find out more about ordering for a team or for clients.
If you travel for work often, the Front Pocket is a calm place to start. You can view it in the Front Pocket collection.
FAQ
Is a carry-on enough for a business trip?
For one to three days, usually yes. A 38 or 40 litre carry-on fits a suit, shirts, smart shoes and a toiletry bag if you pack with care, and it means you never wait at the baggage belt.
Can I carry a laptop in an aluminium carry-on?
Yes. The Original Carry-on Front Pocket has a front compartment for a laptop and documents, so you can reach them at security without opening the main case.
Does an aluminium suitcase scratch?
Yes, aluminium collects small dents and scratches over time. They are part of the material's character and are not covered by the guarantee, which applies to material and manufacturing defects.
Can companies order suitcases for staff or clients?
Yes. The Business Gifts page explains how companies can order Amice suitcases for teams or as client gifts.
