For many frequent flyers, the small pouch waiting at their seat has become part of the premium travel ritual. These amenity kits aren’t only about toothbrushes and socks — they’ve turned into showcases for design, luxury brands, and, more recently, sustainability. Amenity kits are often presented as a thoughtful gift to passengers, and many travelers view them as part of a personal collection. Some passengers keep them as souvenirs. Others use them once and forget about them. Either way, they’ve become a recognizable symbol of modern premium air travel.
The way amenity kits are presented at the seat adds to the sense of luxury and anticipation, making the experience feel even more special for travelers.
Best Airline Amenity Kits from Around the World
Middle Eastern Carriers
Emirates – Emirates is known for going big, and its kits prove the point. Designed by Bvlgari, the leather cases come in different versions for men and women, filled with cologne, skincare, and lip balm. The first class amenity bag is gifted to first class passengers on long haul flights and includes eau de toilette, slippers, hand cream, and a dental kit with toothbrush and toothpaste. Travelers often say they keep these kits long after the flight, using them more like collectibles than simple travel items.
Qatar Airways – Qatar takes a quieter approach. Its class amenity kits are developed in collaboration with a luxury brand, and the packaging is eco-friendly. The Diptyque-branded pouches include facial mist and other gentle skincare products. They don’t shout luxury but feel refined — a reflection of Qatar’s understated style.
Etihad Airways – Etihad teams up with Acqua di Parma. The bright, reusable amenity bag stands out and often ends up in passengers’ carry-ons long after the flight. The kit was introduced as part of a new range for business class passengers and includes hand lotion and hand sanitizer. They’re practical, stylish, and built with eco-friendly thinking in mind.
Compared to one another, the features of these class amenity kits significantly enhance the inflight experience for different classes and cabins, especially on overnight flights. The line of amenity bags is regularly updated, with brand new amenity kits created to suit the needs of passengers on long haul flights, including pillows and even a bed in some first class cabins.
Airlines in Asia
Singapore Airlines – Singapore Airlines works with Penhaligon’s on its premium kits. They’re discreet and polished, with quality skincare inside. A few years ago, the airline faced criticism for tossing unused kits. That’s changed. In 2025, it launched reusable amenity bags and eco-friendly Premium Economy kits made from kraft paper fabric. It’s a step toward showing that sustainability and luxury can sit side by side.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) – ANA’s Globe-Trotter cases, paired with Japanese skincare products, reflect the airline’s attention to detail. They’re simple, elegant, and fit ANA’s image of quiet sophistication.
Cathay Pacific – Cathay Pacific is renowned for its premium amenity kits, especially in first and business class cabins on long-haul and overnight flights. The airline has introduced a new range of amenity bags developed in partnership with luxury brands such as Bamford and PYE. These brand new amenity kits are gifted to first class passengers and business class passengers, featuring high-end skincare products like hand cream, hand lotion, and eau de toilette, as well as practical items such as a dental kit with toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, slippers, and even pajamas for added comfort. The packaging is eco-friendly, and the collection is created to enhance the inflight experience. The thoughtful design and quality of these class amenity kits set Cathay Pacific apart, making them a favorite among frequent flyers.
European Airlines
Turkish Airlines – Turkish Airlines updates its kits frequently, sometimes based on routes or seasons. Past designs have included Versace and Coccinelle. That variety keeps travelers interested, while the quality remains consistent.
KLM – KLM has collaborated with Dutch designer Jan Taminiau to create exclusive business class amenity bags, which are both functional and serve as stylish souvenirs showcasing Dutch craftsmanship.
Air France – Air France kits lean on Parisian style. Chic pouches filled with Clarins skincare rotate every season. Many passengers say they look forward to the latest design almost as much as the products inside.
Lufthansa – Lufthansa now offers Porsche Design pouches in business class, made from mesh and vinyl. The kits include L’Occitane skincare, though basics like eye masks and earplugs are handed out separately during the flight instead of being inside the pouch.
North American Airlines
United Polaris – United’s kits are navy blue and sleek, packed with Sunday Riley skincare. They’re not over the top, but they combine function with enough luxury to feel premium. United previously offered TUMI amenity kits as a premium option for business class passengers, featuring branded packaging and a collection of luxury toiletries designed to enhance the inflight experience on long haul and overnight flights.
Delta One – Delta partners with Someone Somewhere, a company that works with artisans to produce the pouches. Inside are Grown Alchemist products. Flyers often mention the handmade feel as something that makes these kits stand out.
American Airlines – In 2025, American launched a limited-edition kit with designer Brandon Blackwood. Beyond being stylish, the kit supports a cause: part of the proceeds go to Stand Up to Cancer. It’s an example of airlines using amenity kits not just as perks, but as tools for social impact.
Sustainability: An Increasing Priority
Amenity kits have long faced criticism for waste, with unopened ones often discarded. That’s starting to change. Airlines are now focusing on sustainable packaging for their amenity kits, using recycled and biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Singapore Airlines now provides reusable pouches and eco-friendly kits.
- Delta highlights artisan-made, sustainable designs.
- LEVEL, a European carrier, gives passengers the option to choose or buy kits like “Sleep your way” or “Glow your way.” This way, only those who want a kit get one.
The industry is clearly shifting, though opinions differ. Some travelers wonder if simpler kits might be the best way to reduce waste altogether.
Do Amenity Kits Really Matter?
Most flyers care more about seat comfort, food, and service. But the kits still add a finishing touch. A well-designed pouch with quality items can make the experience feel more personal and significantly enhance the inflight journey by adding comfort and a sense of luxury.
Do they influence which airline you pick? Or are they just a bonus you don’t think much about? If you have additional questions about airline status or rewards, check out our frequently asked questions.
Value or Just Clever Advertising?
Plenty of passengers argue these kits are more about image than utility. Many people already bring their own products on board. Still, airlines invest in them heavily because they know the kits create an impression — and impressions matter in the premium market. The value of amenity kits is often compared between airlines, with some passengers preferring certain brands or features over others.
How about you? Do you see them as useful extras, or as marketing dressed up in leather and fabric?
Donating and Repurposing
If you don’t plan to use your kit, donating it can make a difference. Shelters and charities often accept unopened packs, turning them into something genuinely useful. Amenity kits can also be gifted to friends or family as a thoughtful travel souvenir.
For those who keep them, the pouches work well for cables, chargers, or personal items. Seasonal or special-edition designs often become collectibles too.
Conclusion
Amenity kits are more than toiletries in a bag. They tell a story about the airline: Emirates showcasing Bvlgari, Delta highlighting handmade design, or American Airlines linking a kit to a charitable cause.
The market itself is growing. Valued at about $51 million in 2025, it’s projected to expand steadily over the next decade. Airlines are continually introducing brand new amenity kits and expanding their range to attract premium travelers. With airlines competing on both style and sustainability, these small pouches will likely stay part of the premium travel experience.
At business-class.com, we help travelers experience these premium details for less, offering exclusive deals on business class flights that include luxury amenity kits, world-class service, and access to top lounges worldwide.
FAQ
What is an airline amenity kit?
An amenity kit is a small pouch of travel essentials, like skincare, socks, toothbrush, and sometimes designer items, given to premium-cabin passengers. Airlines use them to add comfort, showcase luxury brands, and create a memorable inflight experience.
Which airlines have the best amenity kits?
Some of the most talked-about kits come from Emirates (Bvlgari), Qatar Airways (Diptyque), Etihad (Acqua di Parma), Singapore Airlines (Penhaligon’s), Cathay Pacific (Bamford & PYE), Turkish Airlines (Versace/Coccinelle), Air France (Clarins), Lufthansa (Porsche Design), and United, Delta, and American Airlines with designer collaborations.
Are amenity kits free for business or first class passengers?
Yes. On most long-haul international flights, amenity kits are included in the ticket price for business and first class. Premium economy or economy may receive smaller versions or none, depending on the airline and route.
Are amenity kits reusable?
Absolutely. Many passengers repurpose the pouches for storing electronics, makeup, or travel documents. Some, such as Cathay Pacific’s luxury bags or Emirates’ Bvlgari cases, even become collectibles.
How are airlines making amenity kits more sustainable?
Carriers are moving to recycled fabrics, biodegradable packaging, and reusable pouches.
Examples: Singapore Airlines now offers reusable bags and eco-friendly kits; Delta works with artisans on handmade, sustainable designs; LEVEL lets passengers opt in to reduce waste.
Do amenity kits influence which airline travelers choose?
For most people, seat comfort, food, and service matter more. Still, a well-designed kit can make a flight feel more special and help reinforce an airline’s premium brand image.
What can I do with unused amenity kits?
Unopened kits can be donated to shelters or charities, where toiletries are valuable. They also make thoughtful gifts or can be reused to organize personal items like cables and chargers.
