Among the small yet profound joys of flying in a premium-class seat is opening the amenity kit to see what's inside. And these days, you can expect much more than a collapsible toothbrush and earplugs.
Amenity kits are just one of the many details attracting the attention of airlines--eager to entice those lucrative first- and business-class passengers. Some airlines are tempting them with collectible cases that can be snagged only on certain routes, while others are recruiting top designers and brands to create goodie bags worth keeping.
Luxury labels like Ferragamo and Bulgari often lend their cachet to the bags, whether supplying a travel-size bottle of cologne, an exclusive lip balm, or a cheeky eye mask warning flight attendants: "Beware, I sleep walk." Etihad, meanwhile, has partnered with Sougha, a group that supports local UAE artisans, to weave bags given out to all fliers, even those in economy.
Since the first amenity kits appeared in the 1950s (then known as RONs, as in "remain over night" kits), travelers have been eagerly rummaging through them. This latest generation of kits is filled with items to surprise and delight--from international and domestic carriers who know just how to pamper the fliers in front.
--By Melanie Lieberman
See All of the Coolest Airline Amenity Kits