My wife did the same thing after I came home from a trip with a string of electrical cord where my handle used to be. The final straw was when I then replaced said missing handle with a $3 metal tool chest handle I got at Home Depot. This on top of the duct tape, rivets and sheet aluminum (aviation grade) bottom plate I installed that was keeping my 10-year-old $30 "K-Mart Special" bag together.

The only difference is that she let me choose the bag. As others said, picking a good flight bag is an investment and a personal choice. I'd give him a card with a "gift certificate" good for "one flight bag" of his choice and let him pick.

Oh yeah, as JetJok suggests, give it to him while wearing something red from Victoria Secrets. He'll love you forever.