Airline Amenity Kits Compared: Who Actually Offers Luxury?

Introduction: What Makes an Amenity Kit “Luxury”?

Airline amenity kits have evolved far beyond basic toiletries. In today's competitive aviation industry, airlines are constantly upgrading their first and business class offerings—and amenity kits are a key part of the luxury experience. But what truly defines a luxury amenity kit?

It’s not just about the packaging or branding. A luxury amenity kit blends high-end contents, thoughtful design, prestigious collaborations, and sometimes even sustainability. Travelers expect more than just socks and toothpaste—they want hydrating skincare, reusable pouches, and products from globally respected brands.

Major carriers now partner with high-end cosmetic houses like La Prairie, L’Occitane, Sunday Riley, and Byredo, as well as fashion designers and heritage leather brands. This trend has transformed amenity kits into collectibles, with some travelers even selling or trading them online.

But not all kits are created equal.

Some airlines offer award-winning kits with designer cases and full-size skincare products, while others offer generic pouches with low-quality items. This post dives into a fact-based comparison of airline amenity kits in first and business class, focusing on contents, value, partnerships, and presentation.

We examine amenity kits from Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, ANA, and United Airlines, using specific models of their kits and consistent evaluation criteria. This comparison is grounded in recent 2024–2025 offerings and verified data from airline websites, traveler reviews, and press releases.

Whether you're a frequent flyer, aviation geek, or luxury travel enthusiast, understanding the differences in amenity kits gives insight into which airlines are genuinely investing in passenger comfort—and which are coasting on reputation.

Let’s dig into the real-world luxury behind those zippered pouches at 35,000 feet.

Qatar Airways vs Emirates: Middle East Luxury Giants

The rivalry between Qatar Airways and Emirates extends to their amenity kits—and both deliver high-caliber experiences.

Qatar Airways

• Class: First and Business

• Brand Collaboration: Diptyque (Business Class), BRIC’S (First Class)

• Kit Design:

  • Business Class: Faux leather pouch with multiple color variants.

  • First Class: Italian-designed BRIC’S pouch—rigid clamshell case.

• Contents:

  • Diptyque skincare (lip balm, face cream, body lotion)

  • Eye mask, socks, ear plugs, dental kit

  • Comb, refreshing wipe

  • Optional slippers and pajamas in First Class

• Sustainability: Kits are reusable; Diptyque products are paraben-free and packaged sustainably.

Qatar’s edge lies in the refined simplicity of its kits and the high-end appeal of Diptyque, a French luxury fragrance house. The inclusion of BRIC’S—a premium Italian luggage brand—elevates the First Class kits into travel accessories in their own right.

Emirates

• Class: First and Business

• Brand Collaboration: Bulgari

• Kit Design:

  • Business Class: Signature Bulgari pouches in various styles for men and women.

  • First Class: Leatherette pouches with exclusive Bulgari fragrances.

• Contents:

  • Bulgari fragrances (Aqva Pour Homme or Le Gemme)

  • Bulgari-branded skincare (aftershave, lotion, lip balm)

  • Dental kit, deodorant, tissues, mirror, and hairbrush

• Sustainability: Limited, though kits are highly reusable.

Emirates’ standout feature is the inclusion of full-size Bulgari perfumes in First Class—rare even among luxury airlines. These kits are not just luxurious but opulent, making them a top-tier offering in the industry.

Verdict:
While both airlines deliver luxury, Emirates wins in presentation and fragrance quality, but Qatar excels in brand curation and case design. Frequent flyers often favor Qatar for subtle luxury and Emirates for extravagance.

Asian Precision: Singapore Airlines vs ANA (All Nippon Airways)

Asia’s leading airlines offer polished, culturally nuanced amenity kits that reflect regional preferences for minimalist luxury and functionality.

Singapore Airlines

• Class: First and Business

• Brand Collaboration: Penhaligon’s (First Class), The Laundress (Business Class)

• Kit Design:

  • Elegant hard-shell or cloth pouches, tailored for gender-specific preferences.

• Contents:

  • Penhaligon’s cologne or The Laundress fabric spray

  • Lip balm, body lotion, hand cream

  • Comb, dental kit, eye mask, socks

  • First Class kits include Penhaligon’s signature scent (Halfeti or Quercus)

• Sustainability: Pouches made from eco-conscious materials; in-cabin amenities (like slippers) provided on request to minimize waste.

Singapore Airlines favors understated luxury. Instead of flooding the kit with unnecessary items, they offer highly curated essentials with a distinct brand identity. Penhaligon’s, a British perfumer, adds prestige.

ANA (All Nippon Airways)

• Class: Business

• Brand Collaboration: Globe-Trotter

• Kit Design:

  • Miniature suitcases styled after the iconic Globe-Trotter luggage brand.

  • Hard-case shell, collectible designs changed seasonally.

• Contents:

  • The Ginza skincare (premium Shiseido line)

  • Lip balm, moisturizing cream

  • Eye mask, ear plugs, dental kit

  • Hairbrush and socks

• Sustainability: Minimal packaging waste; long-lasting kit shells designed to be reused.

ANA’s kit has earned international praise, especially among business travelers. The Ginza, a top-tier skincare brand in Japan, is rarely included in airline kits, making ANA’s offering unique and value-packed.

Verdict:
Singapore Airlines provides a luxurious and balanced kit with Western and Eastern influences. However, ANA’s Globe-Trotter kits are arguably more collectible and skincare-focused, appealing to travelers who value utility over flair.

European Flair: Lufthansa vs Air France

European carriers infuse their amenity kits with a blend of tradition and contemporary design, focusing on cultural branding.

Lufthansa

• Class: First and Business

• Brand Collaboration: Porsche Design (Business), Van Laack (First)

• Kit Design:

  • Sleek, grey-toned pouches with high-quality zippers.

  • First Class kits feature minimalist German elegance.

• Contents:

  • La Prairie skincare (First Class)

  • Dental kit, socks, eyeshade, ear plugs

  • Nivea cream and hand lotion in Business Class

  • Optional pajamas and slippers in First

• Sustainability: Lufthansa emphasizes low plastic usage; kits often double as tech organizers.

La Prairie, a luxury Swiss skincare line, sets Lufthansa’s First Class kits apart. Few airlines offer products that retail for over $100 in such a compact kit.

Air France

• Class: Business

• Brand Collaboration: Clarins

• Kit Design:

  • French-styled canvas pouches with seasonal colors and art deco prints.

• Contents:

  • Clarins moisturizer and anti-fatigue eye gel

  • Dental set, socks, eye mask, comb

  • Mirror and refreshing wipe

  • Business-only offering

• Sustainability: Air France actively reduces packaging and promotes recyclable pouches.

Air France’s kits are elegant and embody the “joie de vivre” of French luxury. However, their contents lean basic—good but not exceptional. The consistent quality of Clarins skincare helps them stay competitive in the amenity space.

Verdict:
Lufthansa edges out Air France for First Class luxury, thanks to La Prairie’s inclusion. But Air France wins in aesthetic flair and artistic kit design, catering well to creative-minded travelers.

North American Options: United Airlines Polaris

In North America, amenity kits in business class are improving—but luxury is less consistent than on Gulf or Asian carriers. United Airlines’ Polaris class leads the pack in premium offerings from U.S. airlines.

United Airlines Polaris

• Class: Business (No international First)

• Brand Collaboration: Therabody (2023–2024), Sunday Riley (previous years)

• Kit Design:

  • Hard or soft zippered cases, color-coded by route (transatlantic, transpacific)

  • Modern, ergonomic layout

• Contents:

  • Therabody recovery balm, lip balm

  • Lavender towelettes, facial moisturizer

  • Eye mask, dental kit, socks, pen

  • Sunday Riley skincare in earlier versions

• Sustainability: Recycled plastic used in cases; select kits use post-consumer materials.

Polaris kits have gone through multiple iterations. The Sunday Riley version was praised for including full-size vitamin C serum and face cream—unusual in U.S. airline kits.

The 2024 Therabody edition aligns with wellness trends, featuring muscle recovery balm and sleep-enhancing products. This differentiates United from American and Delta, whose kits are functional but lack true luxury partnerships.

United is also one of the few U.S. carriers to actively brand kits by route, providing variation for frequent flyers.

Verdict:
Among U.S. airlines, United’s Polaris kits are the most innovative. They still fall short of the full-suite luxury offered by Emirates or Qatar but signal a shift in North American premium service standards.

Conclusion: Which Airlines Truly Offer Amenity Kit Luxury?

Based on hard comparisons of contents, brand value, and presentation, it's clear that not all amenity kits are created equal.

When measured by luxury, the top-tier kits belong to Middle Eastern and Asian carriers. Here’s how they rank:

1. Emirates (First Class): The gold standard—Bulgari perfume, leather cases, and designer packaging make this kit the most luxurious in the sky.

2. Qatar Airways (First & Business): Elegant and refined; Diptyque and BRIC’S are thoughtful, practical, and high-end choices.

3. ANA (Business): The inclusion of The Ginza skincare and Globe-Trotter branding makes ANA’s kit exceptional in both utility and value.

4. Lufthansa (First Class): La Prairie sets the bar for premium skincare; functional case design also earns praise.

5. Singapore Airlines (First): Penhaligon’s offers elegance; kits are minimalist yet effective.

6. United Polaris (Business): Leads North America with Therabody and Sunday Riley partnerships, showing innovation in a tough market.

7. Air France (Business): Beautifully designed but lacks the punch in skincare and fragrance to be top-tier.

Key Takeaways:

• Brand collaboration matters. Airlines that partner with high-end cosmetic or luggage brands gain more prestige and offer higher perceived value.

• Design and reusability are increasingly important. Kits that double as organizers or cosmetic cases extend luxury beyond the flight.

• Skincare and fragrance are the most differentiated components—full-size serums or exclusive perfumes push a kit into the luxury category.

Travelers looking for true luxury in the sky should pay attention to amenity kits—they’re a reliable signal of how seriously an airline treats premium passengers.

Whether you’re flying for business or leisure, choosing an airline with a high-end amenity kit can transform your in-flight experience from ordinary to elite. Don’t settle for cheap socks and lip balm. Seek out the carriers that deliver curated comfort at cruising altitude.