United Airlines is introducing new amenity kits, just in time for the busy summer travel season. This coincides with United also restoring much of its premium cabin inflight service as of today (June 1).
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United & Away partner on amenity kits
United Airlines is partnering with travel brand Away for its new amenity kits, which will be available in premium cabins on United’s long haul international and premium transcontinental routes. The new kits are inspired by Away’s suitcases and accessories, and there will be three different versions available:
- There will be a hard pod amenity kit for those in United Polaris business on long haul international flights; this features a sturdy shell and an interior elastic band
- There will be a sports pouch for those in United Premium Plus on long haul international flights; this features a soft, protective material that can keep all your belongings organized
- There will be a zip case for those in United business class on premium transcontinental flights; this water-resistant kit will be ideal for storing liquids
United’s new amenity kits will feature personal care essentials, including earbuds, an eye mask, a dental kit, and skincare products from Sunday Riley. Sunday Riley has a special collection for United, known as the In-Flight Remedy line.
My take on United’s new amenity kits
So far we only have pictures of what the exterior of the kits will look like, so we should probably reserve final judgment until we see these kits in person. A few random thoughts:
- Airlines constantly have different collaborations with brands on amenity kits, as it’s a win-win; airlines can offer something premium to their customers while paying very little, while brands get access to an affluent and desirable customer base
- Personally I don’t have Away luggage, as I’m not a fan of hard shell luggage, so I don’t have much excitement about the brand as such; however, I know many others love Away products, so getting some reusable Away cases and pouches is a good opportunity
- The hard shell case amenity kit looks kind of cool, though ultimately I can’t help but think it just looks like a less premium version of the Rimowa amenity kits that so many airlines have had over the years (now those were awesome!)
- Among the major US carriers, I tend to think United does the best with its inflight amenities in international premium cabins (pandemic cuts aside)
Bottom line
United Airlines & Away are collaborating on new amenity kits, which will be available in premium cabins as of this summer. These kits look pretty nice, and I’m sure many will be collecting them, as they definitely serve a purpose.
What do you make of these new United & Away amenity kits?
Just got them yesterday flying LHR-IAD. Nothing especial. Is semi-hard and looks cheaper that Tumi and definitely Rimowa. I left it behind since it didn't impress me at all.
LH still offers Rimowa in FC on some routes.
@Razzak Memon
These kits are much better than AA’s
Great partnership
One idea that United should consider is to make pouches from recycled upholstery. They are going to refurbish their entire narrowbody fleet over the next few years, and they have 20 widebodies remaining with an outdated business class. This is a great opportunity to recycle old upholsteries that they will rip out.
Meanwhile DL goes from tumi hard case with M+G, to tumi pouch with le labo to biodegradable unknown. Sig
It’s better than UA tin can though.
Are they changing the contents? The lip balm without SPF could be improved, specifically by adding SPF.
The only amenity kits I like are the ones that can be reused. My last 4 trips and I left them on the plane.
These look excellent. As you say, United does produce thoughtful and good quality kits (the 747 celebration tins come to mind). Good to know amenity kits are still being developed and taken seriously, given they often get derided.
Can't be any worse than they have now. I use the eyeshades, which are pretty good, and leave the rest for the cleaners. The plastic bag is useless and weighs way more than the contents.
BTW, flew 5/30 into LHR from IAD. The food was the menu they've been using for months. Let's hope, now we're June, it's improved for the return flight.
It beats the spiderman amenity kits in terms of potential future use at least (though part of me enjoyed those on the flight at least...they had no lasting use though given all the branding).
Appreciate that we are seeing some aspects of service resume normalcy though they really need to turn around the catering quality.
I just landed from UA842 (SYD-LAX). Polaris. B789.
Dessert on the 13-hour nonstop was a small Tim Tam chocolate wafer about 1/4 the size of a Kit Kat bar. That was it. Seriously.
And UA is spending money on amenity kits?
ehhhhhh..... I was on that on Saturday... had lava cake and Ice cream lol it was decent... tasted like dominos
Took 3 trips in Polaris- one to India and two to Europe. The food was inedible (I understand you don’t fly to eat but…). And my return flight to India was late because the caterers at EWR on the inbound flight screwed up. All the Veg meals had chicken ♂️
AWAY: The official suitcase of people who still get excited about the Centurion Lounge.
Not wrong. I love away because they will replace my carryon whenever for whatever reason. Any small ding i take it to the local store and they swap it out no questions asked. Bought one as a gift they used it and Away swapped it for them for a bigger carryon no questions asked and didnt charge them for the difference. Its a quality product that im sure will go downhill like the Amex lounges over time but right now its great!
The hardshell cases look very similar to the accessory size that Away sells for ~$50 (which, IMHO, is a total ripoff). It's also a smaller version of their suitcases, so at least they look nice.
The hard pods look like their existing minis for sale. I received one for Xmas at the DFW Centurion filled with goodies. The case is of good quality, and was stolen by an ex for use as a makeup bag.
The hard pods look especially nice. I'm curious if they are made of the same material as the Away bags. (Like how the Rimowa amenity kits were made of the same material as the suitcases)
I’m excited. It’s no Rimowa or Tumi, but it’s still a cooler case than most offerings. I’ll be able to get one that matches my carry-on this summer.
Away is nicer than Tumi obviously no Rimowa but away is so good i dont see the point of paying more for a Tumi either go big on a Rimowa or get an away.