Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition vs. Black Ember Citadel 18

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition

Front facing view of the Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition
Capacity20 L
Weight1 kg
Dimensions53×38×16 cm
Airline fit60%
Price$199

Feature by feature

Bellroy Transit Workpack Second EditionFeatureBlack Ember Citadel 18
Storage
N Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 1
front Passport top
Y Passthrough Y
Carry
Y Backpack Y
N Hip Belt N
removable Sternum Strap removable
Inside
16in Laptop 14in
3 Main Compartments 3
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
1, side Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
Baida Nylon420 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66

Black Ember Citadel 18

Front facing view of the Black Ember Citadel 18
Capacity18 L
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions43×29×16 cm
Airline fit95%
Price$240

Key differences between the Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition and Black Ember Citadel 18

Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 113 accept both. 0 accept only the Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition, and 67 accept only the Black Ember Citadel 18.

Only the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits

Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Oman Air, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia.

Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition vs. Black Ember Citadel 18: which should you pack?

The Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition carries 2L more than the Black Ember Citadel 18 (20L vs. 18L), while the Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition; if you want to travel lighter, the Bellroy Transit Workpack Second Edition is the better call.