I was pleased with the newest United BusinessFirst amenity kit, containing products from the British skincare firm Cowshed. For our introductory post and description of the categories, and the 5 point rating scale, please click here.
This Cowshed branded kit was announced some time ago and launched onboard in August 2015. I had a few recent flights upgraded to Business Class, and was excited to try out this new kit. I was hoping to score a few more of these given the empty seats around me, but these seem to be popular with the Flight Attendants since they quickly collected any spares after take off.
Bag/Container:
This faux leather kit looks nice, and I was impressed with the design. It is a good size, and I would consider reusing it for my own toiletries when my existing bag finally wears out. The only branding on the case is for United, with United logos on the zipper pulls and embossed on the cover. Cowshed is on some of the beauty products and a smaller case inside the main bag. There are several pouches inside, and one of them has a zipper closure. There is also a hook to hang the case, likely most useful in an airplane lavatory. Score: 4.5
interior of amenity kit bag
Product:
While the Cowshed products are supposed to be pretty fancy, I am clearly not, as I’ve never heard of them until I read the press release about this from United. The kit I received included lip balm, hand lotion, and a chamomile single use face(?) wipe. There was also a coupon included, which seems to be standard for the various providers of the last few versions of the United kits. Score: 3
Comfort Items:
Included are a pair of socks, eye shade, earplugs, some tissues, and 2 packets of hand sanitizer. While the grip on the socks are a nice touch, I don’t encourage anyone to use them as the only barrier when visiting the lavatories. It is likely not only water on the floor…Other items are pretty standard for business class, although the hand sanitizer is a nice touch. Score: 3
Miscellaneous:
Included in the kit are a travel toothbrush, a small tube of Colgate toothpaste. The mints are appreciated, as is the pick/floss tool. There is also a United branded comb wrapped in plastic. Probably the most useful item here is the pen. How often do people need a pen to fill out immigration forms Score: 3
Extras:
I guess socks would fit in this category, but given this is a business class kit, there are predictably no pajamas or slippers. I expect most Business Class kits reviewed here to score poorly Score: 2
While the kit itself is very nice, the products are included are nothing special, although it has the basics, so I would consider it average for a business class amenity kit. The bag brought the score up, but I think the average of 3.1 is about right if a little high.
I also had the opportunity to use showers in Chicago in my way home. Cowshed branded shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are available there. There was also another identical toothbrush/toothpaste set as in the kit and some unbranded deodorant. No hand/body lotion as mentioned in the press release about the Cowshed launch. Minor issue, but not surprising United dropping the ball a bit.
Have you tried out the new United Cowshed amenity kits?
Other Amenity Kit Reviews
- Japan Airlines First Class
- ANA First Class
- British Airways First Class
- Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
- Qantas First Class
- Thai Airways First Class (Rimowa 2014)
- Japan Airlines Business Class
- Lufthansa First Class (Escada)
- Cathay Pacific Business Class (new Seventy-Eight Percent)
- United Airlines BusinessFirst
- American Airlines Transcon First Class (Reno Air Heritage Series)
- United Airlines BusinessFirst (Team USA)
- Lufthansa Business Class (Bree)
- Etihad Business Class (LUXE)
- Qatar Airways Economy Class
- American Airlines Business Class (Cole Haan 2016)
