The amenity kit is a staple of long haul travel especially in the premium classes. These kits are designed to make your travel experience more comfortable. As a general rule they contain at the very least socks, an eye mask, toothbrush, toothpaste and ear plugs. Most will also contain lip balm, moisturiser, a pen and whatever magic cream is in vogue at the moment among the jetset.
Wait, no really!
Think about how wasteful the amenity kit actually is. Everything contained within is usually a one use only deal. The toothbrush and toothpaste are single use without a doubt. The socks could be reused, but who sleeps with an airline eye mask when not flying? Not me. I would be hard pressed to use the ear plugs again too.
I am the kind of person who likes to use everything but I find it a bit of an effort to remember to finish off the items in my kits. That’s if I remember to get them out and use them at all. Some of them are languishing in my wardrobe where they were thrown during the last post flight unpacking.
Enterprising souls have taken to selling unwanted amenity kits on eBay as there is a market for them. Regardless, environmentally it’s all a bit of a disaster – decadent western waste at its finest. We give you something you might not need, you take it, and even if you don’t use it, it will be thrown into a bin. Terrible!
Charging For An Amenity Kit – The Solution?
In this age of ancillary revenue, perhaps the solution is to sell the kits on board. People with a burning need for an eye mask or socks or a toothbrush should purchase the kit. Perhaps it could be an option in the booking process like extra baggage. I hazard a guess that it would cut down on the waste.
Obviously charging is not a catch all solution as business class and first class passengers would revolt as it is expected to be included in the price of the ticket. What to do about the waste though?
Second, perhaps some kind of set up could be arranged in cabin. A place where you can grab a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush if you want one, or get that lip balm if your lips are feeling dry. An amenity bar, if you will. Either that or placing them in the useless areas in some toilets, such as the place where you can get a paper cup – who in their right mind would take a paper cup to drink from that is dispensed in a toilet stall!
Overall Thoughts
Amenity kits can be very cool and I particularly like to get a snazzy looking good quality one. Still, a solution needs to be found to stop the waste and any airline that prides itself on its environmental credentials should look at options here.
What do you think? Wasteful or a required product when flying? I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave any comments or questions below. Thanks for reading!
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Featured image via Qantas. All other images by the airline mentioned.
Ah, Trent, I’m so disappointed as I told you I was planning a blog on amenity kits. I strip them out and tell my visitors not to bother bringing toiletries as I can supply their needs.
Your mention of it didn’t even cross my mind when I was writing this. I’m sure you will come at it from a different angle though, so it will be an entirely different blog post. Look forward to reading it!
If I am paying for a premium cabin: No, I wouldn’t expect nor want to be charged for an amenity kit when I’m paying a premium fare. Personally, I love getting my amenity kits whenever I fly premium cabins. Even if I can’t make use of them, they still make great gifts (and/or great donations).
Generally speaking, I’m in agreement with the comment made by Aengus of That Airline Guy. 🙂
I am too, I do like a good amenity kit, especially when you can use it again for something else. People who don’t fly often do love them to take on a trip!
Suppose you should fly SQ business which is about the only airline not to hand out amenity kits in business class. But the basics of the kits are used be it eye shades, toothbrush/paste, moisturizer. The cases themselves seems to be the issue you have. Some airlines strive to make their cases either visually attractive and/or reflective of their home lands (FINNAIR and SAA feature distinctive craft designed cases that are reusable) or functional after the flight (those TUMI or PORCHE DESIGN hard cases which hold cables, chargers and other necessities of mobility/connectivity). Others (TK and AA) have had cases that double as tablet holders. But a case that’s blah and can’t be repurposed to another function is going to be tossed at the end of the flight…and yes, I’ve seen lots of those as I leave a long international flight. But if I can’t make further use, I generally keep my (unopened) kit(s) and pass it/them along to friends and relatives who are flying in economy on long hauls. I probably collect a dozen each year from my travels and those I don’t immediately use inflight, or pass along, end up being cannibalized for their contents, cases repurposed for storing small items. Sorry, but after paying $5K for a flight I don’t expect to be charged (or offered for a charge) for an amenity kit.
Yes, I had heard that about SQ business class. I’ve never had the pleasure and can’t see me flying with them anytime soon. It’s an odd choice they have made with regards to not handing them out considering everyone else does.
I mainly have an issue with the waste if the truth be told. Seeing tens of kits being discarded at the end of a flight just had me thinking what a colossal waste it is and how bad for the environment.
The kits are totally fine if the person wishes to actually use them of course. I do agree that a nicely designed kit is much nicer than something boring and even better if they can be re-purposed. That would be the ultimate win win. I think everyone agrees that passing on unneeded kits is the best thing to do. I also agree that paying thousands for a flight means I would not expect to be charged for a kit. Thanks for the comment!
I have a large collection of amenity kits at home which I find really useful for travelling. Small sized creams/lotions are perfect for baggage. That said, amenity kit hoarders and collectors baffle me…
As for whether they should charge for them, it’s a definite no from me. The designer brands are often provided to the airline free, because these companies know that giving such a lucrative market – you don’t get people strapped for cash flying Business/First – free samples will result in more brand awareness and loyalty in the long run. In fact brands promoting on large airlines (e.g. Emirates) have actually been known to pay the airline for the distribution of their products amongst their wealthy clientelle.
Even in regards to socks/eyeshades, they will be so cheap and mass-produced that you can bet your bottom dollar that they won’t cost more than… well… a dollar!
For such a cheap and important (in many peoples’ eyes) commodity to offer passengers, I’d say it would be a very bad move to start charging for them – the outcry would by far outweigh any resulting revenue. In this way, the debate is much like BA cutting their free food —- and you know my opinions on that grrrrrrr…!
I agree the small sized creams and lotions are great for baggage but you still need to put them in a liquids bag which makes the whole thing a bit of a palaver.
Your thoughts on all the rest are very good. I totally understand the importance of getting your brand under the nose of wealthy people. My main point was the overall waste of the thing. So many are thrown away unused or left on seats partly used and I thought to myself, “Flight after flight after flight and so much waste – just from these kits alone!”
I certainly like getting the kit and using the stuff personally, and I never leave them behind. If I have spares I have been known to gift them to friends who are travelling long haul in Economy so they can use them to alleviate the stress of their flight. Thanks for the comment!