Paravel Aviator Grand Review: Is It Worth The Money?

My love for the Paravel brand first started years ago when I pulled the trigger and purchased the Aviator Carry-On Plus suitcase.

DEAL ALERT:
Paravel's Biannual Sale Event! The Impossible Sale.
Shop their biggest sale of the year for up to 30% off sitewide! Sale runs through Feb 9.

At first, the reason why I bought it was love at first sight — it’s a gorgeous suitcase (it looks just like the Aviator Grand Checked Luggage, only smaller)! After years of use, my love for it has been consistently strong because of how trusty and solid it’s been on my travels.

So after having such a great experience with the Aviator Carry-On, I decided it was time to step it up with my check-in luggage too. After grabbing the Aviator Grand in the most elegant color combo ever (Scout Tan), I took it for a spin on my 10-day trip to Spain and Portugal.

I know you’re all wondering the same thing — how did a light-colored check-in suitcase stand up to the usual consequences of checking a bag in??? And is it actually worth the money?

I get it. Paravel’s travel products are not the cheapest thing to invest in. I hope that my review of the Paravel Aviator Grand check-in suitcase gives you some clarity on whether this luggage piece is the right choice for you.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!


Key Takeaways

The Paravel Aviator Grand is for you if:

  • You take a lot of longer trips and international trips or tend to pack a lot of stuff when you travel (the Aviator Grand is great for 8-10 day trips)
  • You want a durable, elegant, and minimalistic suitcase
  • You are okay with a 10-year limited warranty (as opposed to a lifetime limited warranty) and a 30-day return policy
  • You want to feel good about your purchase and support a brand that’s actively doing its part to save the world!

The Paravel Aviator Grand may NOT be for you if:

  • You’re looking for a suitcase that expands. This does not expand.
  • You take a lot of long, winter trips where bulky items are common. You may need more space than the 77 liters that the Aviator Grand can offer.

Paravel: An Overview Of The Brand

There are plenty of options for luggage these days, so what exactly makes Paravel stand out from the crowd?

DEAL ALERT:
Paravel's Biannual Sale Event! The Impossible Sale.
Shop their biggest sale of the year for up to 30% off sitewide! Sale runs through Feb 9.

This sentence says it all: “Paravel is the sustainable travel brand dedicated to exploring the world while minimizing our impact on it.”

If you’re someone who values brands that care about sustainability and the environment, then you need to pay attention to Paravel.

The First Ever Carbon-Neutral Suitcase

The biggest standout of this brand has been its carbon-neutral suitcase.

The Aviator suitcase offsets emissions throughout the entire process (from its production all the way to it being shipped to you). They even offset the average emissions of your first trip with the suitcase!

Such noble efforts from a brand, am I right? This is by far one of the main reasons why I love the Paravel brand and how they caught my eye in the first place.

Today, Paravel offers everything from suitcases to weekender bags, totes to packing cubes, foldable backpacks to handbags, and more! Among their vast collection, all are made from premium recycled and upcycled materials whenever possible.

It’s truly amazing how EVERYTHING from the zippers to the telescopic handles, vegan leather trims and interior linings are all made from recycled materials.

If you’re interested in learning more about this, you can read more about Paravel’s sustainability efforts here.


Staple Features Of The Aviator Suitcase Collection

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus Review

Within the Aviator Collection (their best-selling collection of wheeled luggage) you’ll find 3 different sizes fit to fly in different ways.

  • Aviator Carry-On | designed to fit in the overhead bin of almost any flight, anywhere in the world.
  • Aviator Carry-On Plus | provides more room and fits nicely in the overhead compartment of major US airlines.
  • Aviator Grand | perfect as a roomy checked bag for trips that require 8-10 days worth of clothes.

Since I have both the Aviator Carry-On Plus and the Aviator Grand, here’s a size comparison between the two:

Paravel Aviator Grand vs Carry-On Plus
Aviator Grand (left) vs Aviator Carry-On Plus (right)

All products within the Aviator Collection have these features:

  • Lightweight and durable recycled polycarbonate shell
  • 360-degree frictionless wheels with carbon steel bearings
  • 3-tier aircraft-grade recycled aluminum handle
  • Built-in TSA-approved combination lock
  • Vegan leather trim
  • Interior compression board (removable)
  • A divider inside the main compartment
  • Water-resistant interior made from upcycled plastic bottles
  • Reinforced metal corners

Specifically, here are the specs of the Aviator Grand Checked Luggage:

  • Length x Height x Width: 18.25″ x 28″ x 11″ (46.35cm x 71.1cm x 27.9cm)
  • Weight: 11.8lb
  • Volume: 77L
  • What it fits: 8-10 days worth of clothes and 4 pairs of shoes 
  • Warranty: Comes with a 10-year limited warranty which covers manufacturing defects.

Paravel Aviator Grand: What I Love About It (Pros)

It’s so roomy

Paravel Aviator Grand Review - What I Could Fit In The Suitcase
Everything I needed for my 10-day Europe trip actually fit!

The website notes that the Aviator Grand is able to fit “8-10 days worth of clothes and 4 pairs of shoes”, but I wanted to see for myself whether it actually could do this.

After packing for my 10-day early-March trip to Spain/Portugal (March in Europe means lots of jackets for me), here’s everything I was able to fit:

  • 4 pairs of pants, 6 shirts, 1 sweater, 1 sweater dress
  • 1 bulky jacket, 1 long and bulky cardigan, 1 rain jacket
  • 2 pairs of outdoor shoes (1 pair of heels + 1 pair of boots), 1 pair of indoor slippers
  • Bag of undergarments
  • Makeup and toiletries bag
  • Travel umbrella, instant coffee, glasses case

This was my first time traveling with a check-in suitcase in a LONG time, so I wanted to “splurge” with luggage room and allow myself to overpack and look cute (as opposed to just wearing an ugly but space-saving puffy jacket everyday).

At first, I was quite concerned about how bulky my cardigan and sherpa jacket were. After all, rule #1 in packing light is to always wear your bulkiest items on the plane! But for this trip, I had a total of five jackets I wanted to bring… many of which were bulky.

Once I started packing everything into the suitcase, I found that I was able to stuff in everything I had with no issues whatsoever. I was actually shocked and very impressed by what I could fit!

Even with all that stuff packed in, I still had room to fit gifts and souvenirs here and there.

The outside is stylish and functional

Paravel Aviator Grand Review - Exterior

Aside from the fact that this suitcase is drop-dead gorgeous, I love it for some of its lesser-appreciated features.

First off, everything is made from recycled or upcycled materials. You’ll find recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum handles, recycled zippers, and vegan leather detailing. Despite that, the suitcase looks and feels so high-end and luxurious.

I also love the textured finish, which was designed specifically to hide scratches and scuffs. After 3+ years of traveling with my first Paravel baby, the Aviator Carry-On Plus, without a suitcase cover, I’ve really started appreciating this feature!

You’ll also find these metal reinforcements on the corners of the bag. At first, I didn’t understand why these needed to be there as it clashed with the suitcase’s elegant look, but they are there to protect your suitcase!

Just look at what years of checking in my green suitcase has resulted in:

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus - After Use
My Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus after years of use.

Needless to say, I’m very glad the Aviator Grand also comes with these silver corners.

Buttery-smooth rolling experience

Paravel Aviator Grand Review - Double Spinner Wheels

Next up are the silky-smooth 360° double-spinner wheels.

This suitcase’s wheels are lightyears ahead compared to the suitcase you’ll find tucked in your parents’ closet. Chances are, it’ll be one of the best rolling experiences you’ll have at the airport!

It’s such a small feature, but it makes all the difference. Pulling (or pushing) this bag around is so fun because of how easy it is.

I could literally use one finger to move it along on concrete! It didn’t matter whether I was rolling it along bumpy sidewalks, dirt pathways, carpeted hallways, or just in the airport. It was so smooth… definitely one of my favorite features of this suitcase.

The 10-year warranty

All Aviator suitcases purchased directly from Paravel are backed by a 10-year limited warranty extended to the original owner of the item.

This is a very sweet deal because the warranty used to be just 5 years!

Paravel will cover manufacturing defects (meaning defects in certain components or elements that prevent the Aviator suitcases from functioning properly), wear and tear (which means unintended deterioration after proper use, excluding cosmetic damage), and structural damage to the Aviator suitcase, with some exclusions.

The warranty covers:

  • Cracks or breaks in the shell
  • Wheels, handles, or telescoping handles that break off or are no longer usable
  • Broken zippers
  • Malfunctioning TSA Lock
  • Broken corner protectors
  • TPU leather strip

However, the warranty does not cover:

  • Cosmetic Damage – scratches, dents, dings, scuffs, stains, color changes, or normal wear and tear.
  • Replacement of any non-defective parts in the luggage.
  • Damage determined to be due to intentional abuse, modification, tampering, and/or alteration beyond what could be considered normal handling and use.
  • Damage caused by any travel carrier (such as airline, rail, bus, or cruise operators).

Comes with little extras

Paravel Aviator Grand Review - 8

I love it when I unbox a new suitcase and find little extras I wasn’t expecting. With the Aviator Grand, I received a dustbag that’s meant to be wrapped over the suitcase when storing, as well as a removable laundry bag.

If you’re someone who really cares about maintaining the exterior of your suitcase, the dustbag is great for situations where you forget your suitcase cover at home.

In the past, I’ve carried the dustbag with me just in case a flight was full and I was forced to check my carry-on.

If you don’t fly very often, this dustbag will do for your first trip or two, but it is susceptible to ripping. If you plan on traveling often with your check-in suitcase, I’d suggest you get a dedicated suitcase cover for more protection!

Since the laundry bag is rather small, I’ve actually started using it as a protective bag for my shoes to keep the dirty shoes from contaminating the rest of my gear.


Paravel Aviator Grand: What I Don’t Love About It (Cons)

It doesn’t expand

This is definitely not a dealbreaker for me as I’m someone who packs pretty light to begin with, but for those of you who are used to suitcases that expand to fit more items, the Aviator Grand doesn’t do that.

If you end up buying souvenirs at your destination but your suitcase is already filled to the brim, you’ll need to carry an extra tote to fit all your extras.

Paravel Aviator Grand Review - 6

Pricier than other luggage brands

If you’re someone who’s on a budget, the price of Paravel’s suitcases might make you do a quick double-take. The Aviator Grand, set at $475, is not the most budget-friendly.

But while Paravel luggage is by no means cheap, they are priced somewhat similarly to other brands that play in the same space (such as ROAM, July, Monos, etc). I found Paravel bags to be a tad more expensive than others, but not so much that it’d sway me to go with a competitor brand.

I don’t know about you, but I think the unique look of Paravel suitcases is worth the extra money!

Short trial period compared to other luggage brands

Unlike some other luggage brands out there, Paravel doesn’t really offer a trial period for you to test out the luggage. And while their warranty does last for a good chunk of time, it’s not a lifetime warranty.

For example, Monos Travel offers a 100-day trial (to test in your home) and a lifetime limited warranty, whereas Paravel offers a 30-day return period and a 10-year limited warranty.

July, another mid-tier luggage brand, also comes with a 100-day trial/returns policy and a guaranteed limited lifetime warranty that covers the repair or replacement of your luggage purchase.


The Bottom Line: Is The Aviator Grand Worth The Money?

Paravel Aviator Grand Review

First, let’s review whether or not this suitcase was even a good suitcase to begin with.

The Aviator Grand comes in only one size (which might not work for all travelers), but I found it to be the perfect size for an average 1-week or 2-week international adventure.

I didn’t know if it would be able to handle fitting a total of 5 jackets — which is quite excessive when it comes to bulky things — but it was! This was by far the most impressive in my eyes because the suitcase wasn’t even that massive-looking to begin with.

Thinking about the types of trips I take, I really think the size of the Aviator Grand will be perfect for most of my trips. Here are some example of the trips I think the suitcase would be perfect for:

  • 2 weeks in Japan in the springif I could fit nearly 2 weeks’ worth of clothes for an early-spring trip to Europe, I’ll have no issues fitting summer-weather clothing
  • 3 weeks in Thailandhot and humid weather means less bulky clothing and tons of room for souvenirs
  • 1 week in Cancun for all-inclusive resorts / weddings the suitcase is definitely roomy enough to handle lots of outfit changes, accessories, dresses, and high heels

What you’ll notice is that I take a lot of warm-weather trips. In fact, this Spain/Portugal trip I took in March is uncommon for me — I usually like my trips to be warmer than that!

Since I don’t take too many winter trips, the check-in luggage size (77L) is a great size for me.

Having said that, if you tend to take a lot of winter trips where you plan on packing a ton of jackets or snowboarding clothing, a larger suitcase may work better for you (such as the Monos Check-In Large which fits 99.2 L).

Alternatively, you could always pair this suitcase with a separate weekender bag or duffel bag. You’d check the suitcase and treat the duffel like a carry-on bag.

Paravel Grand Tour Duffle And Aviator Grand Check In
Paravel Grand Tour Duffle And Aviator Grand Suitcase — love this combo!

How did the suitcase hold up after my Europe trip?

First off, I need to start by letting you know that they completely LOST MY LUGGAGE on this trip. I had a connecting flight in New York, and while I was flying over to Lisbon, my suitcase was left all alone in the USA!

I’m not sure what traumatic situations my luggage endured, but what I CAN tell you is that by the time I got my suitcase back, the dustbag I used to temporarily protect my suitcase (until I bought a real one) was all kinds of tattered.

Here’s the aftermath of my suitcase’s 2-week adventure of… getting lost (and probably manhandled by lots of different people) –> found –> then delivered to my hotel –> sitting through 3 coach bus rides without the cover –> then flying home back to the USA:

Thank gosh I had this on the suitcase, otherwise my suitcase would have come back extra banged up!

All in all though, I’m not mad at how things turned out. Suitcases are meant to protect the belongings INSIDE, and it did that perfectly. I don’t really care too much about the outside staying in pristine condition forever.

If you are worried about your new Paravel suitcase taking on too much wear and tear when traveling, learn from my mistake: invest in a REAL suitcase cover because the dustbag that comes included won’t hold up after a couple of uses.

Now, onto the real question — is the Aviator Grand worth the money?

In my eyes, because of how premium Paravel suitcases look compared to other luggage brands on the market, I’m totally happy with paying a higher price for their travel gear. The color combos just scream vacation, and I always get REALLY happy whenever I see my suitcases.

To answer Marie Kondo’s famous question — “Does it spark joy?” — the answer is always a resounding YES when it comes to my Paravel suitcases. And if the answer is yes every time I look at it, it means that it was worth the money and that it’s a keeper for life!


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my Paravel Aviator Grand clean and scuff-free if it needs to be checked?

The Paravel Aviator Grand comes with a dustbag that fits perfectly over the suitcase like a sleeve. While it’s not meant to fully replace a suitcase cover, it will do the trick in keeping scuffs and scratches off your suitcase if you’re in a pinch and find yourself needing to check your bag.

I’d recommend purchasing a clear suitcase cover so you (and everyone else) can enjoy the beauty of the bag while keeping it free of scratches and scuffs.

I hope you found this Aviator Grand suitcase review to be helpful! I’ve given you a lot of things to think about, but ultimately, if you’re looking to upgrade your gear, Paravel is a wonderful brand of luggage to go with.

It’s an investment piece AND a statement piece all at the same time.

Looking for more travel packing tips? Read More:

Paravel Main Line Duffle: Is It Worth The Money?

Monos vs Paravel: Which Luggage Brand Is Better?

8 Best Women’s Travel Vests For Style, Safety And Smarter Travel

10 Best Walking Shoes For Travel (That Are Actually Cute)

Photo of author

AUTHOR

Elle Leung

My name is Elle and I'm a travel blogger and adventurer based in California. I love helping people plan trips and create unique itineraries based on their interests and their budgets. I'm a huge fan of outdoor adventures and doing off-the-beaten-path things in my state (and all around the world too)!

Leave a Comment