TALKING POINT | Almost every airline hands out amenity kits to business class passengers, but the more you travel the more selective ('fussy' would be a less-kind description!) you become about their contents.
As regular business class flyers, Australian Business Traveller readers have undoubtedly seen their share of amenity kits across airlines and throughout the years.
What began as a touch of luxe at the pointy end – with their little tubes of skin care products, dental kits and eye masks – continually run the risk of becoming normalised in the competitive market.
As a result, airlines turn to brand-name partners for everything from skin care to the bags themselves. Indeed, in some instances it's the bag itself which has the greatest appeal because it can be re-used for other flights or repurposed as a handy bag for make-up or digital doodads such as USB keys and phone charging cables.
(Of course, complete amenity kits are often gifted to colleagues, family and friends who only fly in economy for that once-a-year holiday).
But how many business class amenity kits really nail the needs of the frequent flyer?
We were impressed by Singapore Airlines' recent offering of a special amenity kit built around fabric care products from The Laundress range including a 'crease release' spray to remove "moderate wrinkles" from clothing; a scented antibacterial fabric-freshening spray; and even a 'wash and stain bar' to spot- treat stains and use for on-the-go handwashing.
This pack is especially notable because Singapore Airlines usually doesn't offer any amenity kit in business class – the most necessary items such as a comb, dental kit and shave kit and are tucked away in the business class lavs.
(It's only when flying in first class that you'll score the Singapore Airlines PJs and Salvatore Ferragamo wash bag.)
The most frequent flyers tend to favour a DIY approach to amenity kits, customised to their specific personal and professional needs.
For example, my own kit contains a few of the essentials – such as the mandatory toothbrush and toothpaste – plus moisturiser lifted from the kit of earlier flights.
(At the moment I’m on the last of the Payot men’s range from the older Qantas first class kit).
I’ve also added small travel-friendly sized tubes of Kiehl's eye firming gel, a facial mist, sample-sized fragrance spray, eye drops plus Aveda hair product and a comb to help me look and feel a little more human at the end of the flight.
The final ingredients: some herbal valerian sleeping pills to help nudge me off to sleep and a tube of Berocca for a pre-landing pick-me-up.
Of course, it should all fit into a single zip-lock plastic bag with no liquid or gel more than 100ml.
What do other travellers pack in their BYO bags? Eyeshades, lip balm, breath mints and roll-on deodorant are common items among regular travellers.
A nasal decongestant spray or Vicks inhaler can help defray the drying effects of air conditioning.
A shoehorn can be handy to wedge yourself back into your shoes when your feet have swollen at the end of a long flight, although I find slip-on shoes avoid this as well as being easier to take off for airport security checks.
What should airlines include in their business class amenity kits, and what do you pack in your personal inflight amenity kit?
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
18 Nov 2013
Total posts 46
I've never seen eye drops or glasses cleaning wipes in an amenity kit but I would use them every time if they were there.
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
1 - PJ's is one that isn't consistent with all airlines that i would like to see standard.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
7 - Eau de Toilette spray. Can't forget that!
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
When reading this article at the start, I was scratching my head trying to think of what else would be good? Then some ideas came.... here's one.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Oct 2013
Total posts 111
ear plugs - always forget to take own and fly EK alot without any in their kits
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2011
Total posts 28
My personal inflight amenity kit contains: a dental kit, lip balm, moisturising face wash, anti-perspirant, and cough drops (sometimes with the dry air on long haul I develop a mild cough).
I also travel with Quick-Eze in case the airline food causes indigestion, and paracetamol+ibuprofen. There's nothing worse than indigestion or a headache when you're stuck in a metal tube.
Generally speaking anything from the airline provided amenity kit gets put back into my rotation to restock the personal amenity kit.
A fresh pair of socks and slippers also accompany me - slippers are worn to and from the lavatory to save putting my shoes back on.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2016
Total posts 45
1)Good ear plugs 2)A comb 3)Hand Sanitizer 4)Good toothpaste/brush 5)Alka Seltzer 6)Pyjamas that fit large people!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
31 Jan 2013
Total posts 26
For me, just the basics - Moisturiser, hand sanitiser and mouth wash.
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 95
A couple of pens as you can never find one when you need one;
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
Oh yes pens would be a big help. It's a nuisance needing to ask for one to fill out an arrivals card.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 174
Yes, it's astounding how few airlines include a simple pen in their kit, I know that Virgin Australia does this and it's super handy for filling out those arrival cards for different countries.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 174
I really like some of the suggestions on this page and will be revising my own amenity kit based on them! My kit is pretty similar to David Flynn's (article author) plus others here who have cited good-quality earplugs and a decent eye mask. Some hotels provide a small 'sleep spray' for your pillow which I always add to my kit and gently spritz my eye mask, that plus 5mg of Melatonin always does the trick to get me off to sleep.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2013
Total posts 144
I would appreciate if they had mints/altoids. The new emirates kit is pretty awesome with shaving cream and even their razor is just incredible. I forgot the company they use for their moisturizer, it is one of the best i have had.
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
About 10 years ago I flew EY on Kingfisher in India to Delhi. Their amenity kit had pen, earphones with the adaptor for aircraft seat, and a packet of spice "grain" as the mouth freshener, a per the country's culture. You get these spice freshener after dinner in India.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 51
I am sure many viewers of this site are in a similar position as I am, in that we have several drawers of these products in our bathrooms and don't know what to do with them. My wife is an early childhood teacher and she recently took over 200 creams, hair brushes, eye masks, etc and used them in a lesson to her 3-4 year old's. The parents also appreciated the left over products and amenity bags.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
If you have oodles of these surplus kits, consider donating them to women's homeless shelters or charities. They are always welcome donations and you will be actually helping someone anonymously who may have had to leave their own home without the benefit of taking many possessions.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 21
Brilliant idea re donating!
21 Jul 2012
Total posts 128
I do this as well. Sealed dental kits and shaving supplies are particularly useful I'm told.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Pen, PJs and sleep socks, eye mask... earplugs are less necessary on modern jets (A380, A350, 787).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
I know it's a nice touch for premium classes but honestly I'm fairly done with them by now with the amount of flying I do, I make up my own with tooth brushes/paste I take from last hotel i was in and an old eye mask from BA and I just ask the FA for ear plugs. If I forget I just ask. I think these kits are far more important in economy to help with overnight flights.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Jan 2017
Total posts 17
A hard case like the Rimowa's that are given on some airlines would be nice!
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
Just googled it, and it looks like Thai Airways amenity pack is Rimowa. Looks nice. May have to fly J with them soon.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
08 Sep 2017
Total posts 1
I recently flew Delta and received their new Tumi hard cases and was able to get mine monogrammed too. Really cool idea
21 Jul 2012
Total posts 128
Thai only gives out Rimowa kits in F. Eva is the only airline giving out Rimowa kits in J.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Seems to me that airline amenity kits have devolved from the 'practical' (of years ago) to the trend of 'product placement' (some of which is useful, some of which I could easily live without).
By all means, include the usual fluff but bring back the really 'useful' items please:
In reality, if airlines wish to play the 'product placement' game with included items, surely they should represent little or no cost to the carrier .. since it's generally possible to do contra or low-cost deals for 'sample' size product. With a captive audience, a well-stocked amenity kit represents good exposure for various goodies, especially when catering to premium classes.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 May 2016
Total posts 11
Glasses cleaning cloth!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 132
Toothpaste is all I want. I travel only with carry-on most of the time and since I can't take a full size tube...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 175
Ear plugs,
Eye Mask
Socks
PJ's and Slippers on demand, but honestly, I save mine and give them away these days
Everything else can (should) be in the toilet as a help yourself including Toothpaste and tooth brush, mouthwash, hand cream, face cream, face refresher, lip balm, comb, and an in flight midget to give massages
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Jun 2016
Total posts 2
A security sized resealable bag for if you are on connecting flights and want to take the LAGS in the kit with you.
03 May 2013
Total posts 682
mouthwash and deodorant on top of the standard.
23 May 2014
Total posts 118
My ideal amenity kit would have:
23 May 2014
Total posts 118
...and just to add, got SQ's fabric freshening kit on a flight today - what a fantastic idea
02 Mar 2013
Total posts 32
I'd rather they didn't hand them out at all. It is so wasteful to hand out all of these plastic doodads that most of us neither use nor need. Much better to have a central point for passenger to grab the things they actually need, or just ask cabin crew. I only need a new pair of PJs or a face mask once in a blue moon.
27 May 2011
Total posts 3
It would be great if airlines gave you the chance to hand over items you don't use and they then donated them.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2017
Total posts 2
My long-haul (9 hour+ plus flight) list:
06 Nov 2015
Total posts 5
Moist tissues for cleaning glasses along with mouth wash and lozenges
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 21
1. Toothbrush and toothpaste
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Aug 2016
Total posts 23
I always find it weird that Emirates always pack a decent canister of shaving cream in all packs.
21 Jul 2012
Total posts 128
The most elaborate kit I ever got was (believe it or not) in Global First on United. The bag itself was a blue United-branded trifold shaving kit with a hook and multiple zippered compartments. In addition to the standard toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, earplugs, eyeshade, and socks, they included mouthwash, tissues, a shoehorn, dental floss, a comb, 2 pens, a microfiber eyeglass cloth, and both a sanitizing wipe and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. There was also a separate zippered pouch with 3 or 4 Cowshed creams and mists. About the only thing missing was a travel-sized cologne or perfume.
04 May 2011
Total posts 10
Pjs is a definite. I'm travelling with Singapore Airlines in December bus class from BNE no 1st class is available from BNE with any airline and would love Pjs.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2431
"No first class is available from Brisbane with any airline."
04 May 2011
Total posts 10
I've never been aware of this as on a few occasions I've looked to no avail.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Mar 2017
Total posts 18
1. eye mask (QF first have become my favourite)
CX
05 Jun 2012
Total posts 127
I have a whole load of stuff I take with me - a carry-on bag full, in fact (much of which, to be fair, is reading material!). What I would like airlines to provide as a basic kit (and yes I know this seems like a lot, but they are all things I would use inflight):
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