Welcome to another installment of our amenity kit review series. Today, I’ll examine the American Airlines Premium Economy amenity kit. As in previous reviews, I will be reviewing this amenity kit on a scale from 1 to 5 (being the best) and will rate it based on five categories:
- Bag/container: design, quality and reusability/collectibility of the bag.
- Product: quality, size and variety of the facial and body products.
- Comfort items: eye masks, ear plugs, etc.
- Miscellaneous: pens, tissues and everything else.
- Extras: additional items that make your flight just a tad more comfortable including pajamas, slippers, etc.
Though AA amenity kits themselves are nothing new, this is their first kit offered outside of Business or First. I obtained this kit flying from DFW to Madrid, on one of AA’s first Premium Economy equipped planes. Disclaimer: because this is an objective scoring system, grades for Economy/Premium Economy kits are NOT directly comparable to Business/First kits. In other words, expect a low score, though consider that the expectation is usually nothing. See Brad’s review of Qatar’s Economy Class kit for a more direct comparison.
Bag/Container
Clearly, the kit isn’t much to look at. It’s plain red, with no logos. Two leather strings through a loop in the back make do as a lock. On the other hand, the kit forlornly sat underneath a large, heavy clothes hamper since November. Not to mention, it got stepped on a few times. Surprisingly, it lived to tell its tale. Therefore, quality seems acceptable, never mind the generic look. The lack of any AA branding disappoints me, however. As far as reusability, the small size and lack of secure zipper limits utility. But, it’s not bad for saving receipts, storing small knicknacks, etc. Score: 2.5.
Product
Nada. The kit contains no body or facial products. Score: 1.
Comfort Items
The kit includes socks and an eye mask. These are typical soft-knit socks, nothing special. The eye mask, though, is pretty good. Even in my fully lit living room, the mask blocks out nearly all light, except a little at the bottom. In addition, the simple elastic strap in back is fairly comfortable. Score: 3.
Miscellaneous
The only miscellaneous items are a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste. Score: 2.
Extras
What you see is what you get. Score: 1.
American Airlines Premium Economy Amenity Kit – Overall Rating
Overall, the new American Airlines Premium Economy amenity kit scores a 1.9/5. Though not good in absolute terms, I found it acceptable for the class of service. The quality in particular surprised me, for what seemed a flimsy case. If it survived nearly 5 months crushed under a clothes hamper, it must be alright. However, I’d be curious if other airlines provide amenity kits in Premium Economy, and how AA’s compares. Chime in with comments on your experiences!
