American Unveils New Amenity Kits & Bedding

American Airlines has just announced plans to introduce new amenity kits and bedding as of Memorial Day Weekend, which the airline describes as contributing to a “reimagined onboard experience.” I’m not sure what exactly to make of these changes, so let’s go over the details.

New American Airlines amenity kits

American will be rolling out new amenity kits in first class, business class, and premium economy. The kits will include a dental kit, eye mask, and earplugs, in addition to a rotating selection of skincare products and offerings.

What I find interesting here is how little consistency there will be. American will introduce one primary “standard” amenity kit in each cabin that will be available for most of the year. However, the airline will be introducing limited edition kits over time.

American states it will cycle brands and products within the kits for customers, “creating a unique customer experience several times over, based directly on customer feedback.” American collaborated with beauty retailer Thirteen Lune to curate the skincare offerings.

In addition to rotating products within the kits, American will also introduce limited edition specialty kits. As American describes it, “through the designs of these specialty kits, American will recognize specific milestones and initiatives that reflect the values and backgrounds of the airline’s customers and team members” (I’m not sure I understand what that means?).

When these kits launch around Memorial Day Weekend, we’ll see the introduction of a limited edition kit from Thirteen Lune, in order to introduce passengers to the new kit line, and to give them the opportunity to start collecting the kits. Then after a few weeks, we’ll see the standard amenity kit offered throughout the summer.

Below is a rundown of what you can expect from the contents of American’s amenity kits, by cabin.

I’m not sure what exactly to make of these new amenity kits. I guess whether you’ll like this new collection depends on whether you value consistency or variety. Personally I’d rather know exactly what to expect in terms of the kit and the products in the kit. It sounds like with American, you won’t really know what you’re getting in advance, both in terms of the kit as such, as well as the contents.

I can appreciate how some people may like to collect different kits. However, the constant change in products within the kits sounds to me like a cost saving measure rather than a feature. American can probably get a better deal “showcasing” different brands for limited periods.

New American Airlines bedding

American is introducing new bedding, which the airline claims is based on customer feedback. Up until now, American has had a partnership with Casper for its premium cabin bedding. Now the airline is working with John Horsfall to develop bedding made from recycled materials from the Re-Thread collection.

Nearly all the pillows, duvets, and blankets, are created with recycled fibers. Furthermore, to reduce single-use plastic waste, premium cabin customers will now receive their bedding in reusable zipper product bags, also made from recycled fibers, which will save 25 tons of plastic waste per year.

One of the unique improvements is that in first and business class, we’ll see the introduction of a dual-sided pillow with cool touch fabric on one side, and traditional fabric on the other side, which sounds kind of cool.

In long haul Flagship First and Flagship Suite Preferred, you can expect a Nest Bedding mattress pad, Nest Bedding slippers, a duvet, a cool touch dual-sided pillow, a throw blanket, a Chenille lumbar pillow with memory foam, Nest Bedding pajamas, and Bang & Olufsen noise canceling headphones.

In transcon Flagship First, you can expect a duvet, a cool touch dual-sided pillow, a crepe weave blanket, Nest Bedding slippers, and Bang & Olufsen noise canceling headphones.

In long haul Flagship Business, you can expect a duvet, a cool touch dual-sided pillow, Nest Bedding branded slippers, and Bang & Olufsen noise canceling headphones. It’s nice to see American introducing slippers on all long haul flights, as currently they’re only available on ultra long haul flights.

In transcon Flagship Business, you can expect a duvet, a cool touch dual-sided pillow, and Bang & Olufsen noise canceling headphones.

In premium economy, you can expect a crepe weave blanket, an Ostrichpillow lumbar pillow, and noise-canceling headphones,

In economy, you can expect a fleece blanket and pillow with pillowcase.

I suppose we’ll have to reserve judgment until we try the new bedding. I like the idea of a pillow with a cool touch fabric on one side, and traditional fabric on the other side. I also like that American is introducing slippers on all long haul flights in business class, since that’s useful for going to the lavatory without having to put on your shoes.

Bottom line

American is overhauling its amenities, including the introduction of new amenity kits and new bedding.

On the amenity kit front, we’ll see the introduction of a rotating selection of amenity kits, plus a rotating selection of skincare products. When it comes to bedding, we’ll see American drop Casper and instead partner with John Horsfall. The two biggest updates are that we’ll see a cool touch fabric on one side, plus slippers on all long haul business class flights.

What do you make of these updates to American’s amenities?