Billingham Airline Stowaway Review – The Perfect One-Camera Travel Bag
If you're like me—a die-hard Wotancraft guy—you probably don’t need another camera bag.
But every once in a while, the right mix of style, function, and timing comes along… and suddenly you’re justifying one more.
Enter the Billingham Airline Stowaway.
Why I Bought It
On a recent trip to Paris, I realized I didn’t have a bag that looked right with a more upscale, city outfit. My go-to bags (mostly Wotancraft) are perfect for rugged travel and hot, humid Hanoi days—but not ideal for strolling stylish streets with my Leica M10-D.
I also travel frequently to Japan, and when I have a day off from shoots, I like to wander with just one camera. That’s where this little Billingham bag shines.
Billingham Quality, With a Clean, Compact Look
Billingham and I have had an on-again, off-again relationship. But this bag is exactly what I wanted:
Compact
Stylish
Functional
Understated
I discovered the bag through Bigheadtaco (massive thanks to him—great guy, great channel, check him out), and I’ve been using it ever since.
What It Fits
The Airline Stowaway is designed for compact camera setups and minimalist carry.
Here’s what I fit in mine:
Leica M10-D + 35mm
Or SL2 + 35mm (tight fit, but works)
Wallet, phone, small notebook
Optional: extra M lens at the bottom, Kindle, iPad Mini
According to Billingham, it can also hold:
Fuji X100 series, Ricoh GR, Sony RX100
Small mirrorless setups (Sony A6400, Canon M6, Leica CL)
Passport, cards, accessories
7–8" tablets like iPad Mini or Kindle
Build, Specs & Price
Price: $229
Material: Canvas or Fibrenyte (varies by color)
Strap: Canvas, detachable
Padding: Light but sufficient for compact gear
External: 180mm x 80mm x 250mm (7⅛" x 3⅛" x 9⅞")
Internal: 150mm x 65mm x 240mm (5⅞" x 2½" x 9½")
Weight: 0.52 kg (1.15 lbs)
Capacity: 2.25L
Waterproof: 3-layer weather-resistant fabric
My Khaki version is canvas (will patina over time), but the Sage green version comes in Fibrenyte, which keeps a newer look longer.
Other Versions
Billingham makes three versions of this bag:
Airline Stowaway – the one I have
Pola Stowaway – slightly wider, more square layout
Compact Stowaway – smaller, for ultra-minimalist setups
My 3 Favorite Use Cases
1. Street Photography Bag
Leica M + 35mm. Phone and wallet. Light, sleek, and doesn’t bounce around when you walk.
2. In-Flight Personal Bag
Great for pocketable cameras like the Ricoh GR or Fuji X100. Add a passport and iPad Mini—done. Paired with Billingham’s Overnight Bag? You’ve got a seriously stylish travel setup.
3. Stylish Everyday Man Bag
No camera. Just wallet, Kindle, phone, headphones. Looks great and flies under the radar.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Super compact and comfortable to wear
Premium build—brass, leather, attention to detail
Versatile for travel, street shooting, or everyday carry
Waterproof fabric
Doesn’t scream “camera bag”
Cons:
It’s a Billingham—it looks expensive
Might not be ideal for sketchy areas
No dividers (could be a pro for some)
Final Thoughts
The Billingham Airline Stowaway is one of those bags that doesn’t try to be everything.
It’s just really good at what it does: a simple, stylish, functional one-camera bag for the minimalist shooter.
If you use a Leica, Fuji, Ricoh, or similar compact setup and want a discreet but elegant carry solution—this bag is well worth the investment.
