Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on Review

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or enjoy one epic vacation per year, a reliable suitcase is non-negotiable. I fly about 30 times a year, and I’m not ashamed to admit that, these days, I prioritize stylish suitcases over those that are purely functional. Two years ago, I was introduced to the Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 collection while luggage testing in Travel+Leisure’s New York City lab. After flying with the 20-inch carry-on and medium checked bag to over four countries and half a dozen cities domestically (including five trips to Chicago), I’m here to say that these white suitcases are just as durable as they are stunning. 

How to Buy 

Key Features

Durability and Style

I’ve flown with both the Delsey Chatelet Carry-on and medium checked bags at least 20 times and, while I’m a notorious checked bag traveler, this carry-on is the perfect size for overhead bins. I’ve gate checked (and paid to check) the 20-inch carry-on a number of times and am always impressed that it arrives at the luggage carousel with only minor scuffs that easily come out with the help of a MagicEraser. 

Similarly, every time I’ve checked the medium suitcase, it arrives with only minor scuffs, usually around the vulnerable corners and edges (the main surface of the bags have grooves, making it scuff-resistant). It also helps that each corner of the bags is reinforced with faux leather accents for protection and steady wheels that prevent scuffing on the bottom corners.

As a frequent flyer, I also appreciate that in a sea of black and blue suitcases, this white and brown style stands out—making it easier to identify my bag at the end of a long flight. While I’ve found the white style to be incredibly stain-resistant, the Chatelet collection also comes in pink, blush ink, brown, navy blue, and navy on navy for variety.

For a security bonus, the suitcases are also built with TSA-approved combination locks that allow you to set your own combo. They’re really easy to reset and I especially appreciate that the main zippers insert into the locks to engage them and cannot be moved until you enter your number combo. This also prevents your zippers from flapping around, jiggling, and possibly getting damaged in transit. Attached to the lock is the USB port where you can hook up a portable charger to quickly turn this stylish bag into a smart bag.

Inside, the bags are lined with sturdy red fabric that is treated with Silvadur technology for odor-control. After attending a baby shower in Chicago, a jar of honey spilled in my Delsey Medium Checked suitcase on the flight home. All the sticky residue came up after soaking the spot in warm water and treating with a stain remover. 

Maneuverability and Lightweight Design

For large checked bags and carry-ons alike, sleek, reliable wheels are essential. The Delsey Chatelets feature four 360-degree wheels for easy gliding that travels over just about any surface with minimal force. I’ve even rolled the carry-on and medium checked bags over sandy paths in Egypt and cobblestone streets in Italy with very little issue (and the wheels themselves are also easy to clean.)

As a taller traveler (I’m 5-foot 9-inches and my husband is 6-foot 4-inches), I also appreciate that the retractable handle has two different heights for easy use. The handle itself also has a soft-touch top as do the bags’ side and top carrying handles. This has especially come in handy when lifting the carry-on into overhead plane and train compartments.

With a 44-liter volume and weighing in at just under 8 pounds when empty, the 20-inch carry-on is also the perfect size for long weekend trips (or to supplement your larger checked bags.) I used the carry-on on a five-day trip to Italy and it was the perfect size when paired with a backpack as my personal item. On a two week trip to Egypt and Morocco, the medium checked bag was perfect for everything I needed while the 20-inch carry-on held my husband’s clothing and essentials. 

The suitcases in the Chatelet collection also feature a standard clam-shell design with organizational features to keep your items from shifting around in-transit. The 20-inch carry-on features clips on one side to strap your items in place and the other size fully zips closed to contain clothing and other items. There are also two zippered pockets built into this closed side and the suitcase itself comes with two removable shoe bags for extra organization.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, a white suitcase is a white suitcase, and you’re going to walk away with some scratches eventually. That said, considering the coloring, this suitcase looks incredible after more than 20 flights. As someone who also volunteers to gatecheck my carry-on as often as possible, I love that this suitcase always comes back in excellent shape. 

This carry-on may look delicate, but after two years of testing, I can say that the Delsey Chatelet is the perfect combination of style and substance. To complete your travel collection, you can also snag a bag in the same style of underseat suitcase, shoulder bag, stylish backpack, and even a pet carrier.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Taylor Fox is the outdoor gear editor for Travel + Leisure and frequently participates in lab and real-world luggage testing of brands from Delsey, Samsonite, Travelpro, Away, and more. A Chicago girl who now resides in New York, she flies between the two cities at least five times per year, usually with her Delsey Carry-on in tow. 

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