A Sneak Peek At American Airlines New Cole Haan Amenity Kits. They Look Nice And I’m Giving Them Away!
I just got back from a work trip. Even though I was tired when I got home Thursday night (well, technically Friday morning) the big box from American Airlines sitting with the mail was very intriguing. I opened it up and sifted through the new amenity kits American Airlines is launching. I’ve been known to enjoy an amenity kit or two in my day. The new kits are made by Cole Haan and are very handsome.
I took a look at 4 kits, including business and first class kits for transcontinental and international flights. While there are some common items, there are a few differences in the contents as well as the kits themselves.
Business Class Transcontinental
This is the most “entry level” of the kits, but the leather still gives it a nice feel. For business transcon flights, you figure it’s for a 5 or 6 hour flight. The kit contains:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Eye mask
- Socks
- Lip Balm
- Lotion
- $75 Cole Haan coupon (off $250 purchase)
For a flight from JFK to LAX, this is all that you really need. For a redeye in the opposite direction, being able to brush your teeth in the morning is perfect.
First Class Transcontinental
This is a very attractive kit. I can imagine any extras laying around the cabin will be picked up pretty quickly. My wife is already eyeing the one I received. Again, this kit is geared towards a 5-6 hour flight, and contains:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Eye mask
- Socks
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Lotion
- Hand Wipe
- $75 Cole Haan coupon (off $250 purchase)
I had a chance to try the Clark’s Botanicals items recently. My wife is the expert in these areas and they passed her test with flying colors.
Business Class International
This kit adds a few items to the First Class Transcontinental kit. Again, it’s an attractive case, though I prefer a more flexible form factor if I was trying to “repurpose” it. Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Eye mask
- Socks
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Lotion
- Headphone covers
- Earplugs
- Pen
- $75 Cole Haan coupon (off $250 purchase)
First Class International
This is a really nice case. The description notes it doubles as a case for your tablet. It’s a pretty decent size; it would fit an iPad easily. You could fit much more than an iPad in there.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Eye mask
- Socks
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Hand Cream
- Lotion
- Headphone covers
- Earplugs
- Pen
- $75 Cole Haan coupon (off $250 purchase)
Pajamas
These are standard international fare. Very comfortable, imminently reusable. Many international flights don’t feature pajamas in business class. It’s always a good idea to carry a pair to change into for long flights.
The Final Two Pennies
I’ve seen a lot of amenity kits in my day. American Airlines released my favorite kits a bit over a year ago, featuring a handful of legacy liveries from American’s past. These Cole Haan kits are a step up in construction quality from most of the amenity kits I’ve seen from various carriers. The contents are mostly standard fare.
But, if you’re a Cole Haan fan, the coupon is a really nice touch. And, if you win one of these kits you can have the $75 coupon.
If you’re interested in winning one of the amenity kits, leave a comment on this post. Tell me one of favorite amenity kits (including these ones). I’ll pick winners on Friday, January 20th. So, you have until Thursday night at 11:59 pm. Feel free to enter more than once but please don’t spam the thread. If you run out of favorite amenity kits, tell me a favorite destination of yours.
Good luck! They’re really nice kits. Darren Booth would love ’em!
A Sneak Peek At American Airlines’ New Cole Haan Amenity Kits. They Look Nice And I’m Giving Them Away! was published first on Pizza in Motion
These are REALLY nice! Would love to have one. I do not travel in business or first, so my only first hand experience with amenity kits are ones given in economy by Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, etc…
The United Business class kit with Philosphy products was my favorite. These new Cole Haan kits look like very high quality and they are one of the few shoe companies that make a size 4 for my little feet!
Katie, I used to love Cole Haan shoes. Nowadays, I need something more comfortable after 20 years of working on my feet.
My favorite is the International First Class kit since the case can be repurposed to hold your tablet.
Mike, that’s a really nice case!
EVA green Rimowa kits.
Todd, I haven’t seen the EVA Rimowa kits but I have seen the white Thai ones. A friend gave me one that my wife still uses religiously.
I love all of these kits! But,…….. First Class International Amenity Kit really is my favorite. It looks like a great quality item as one would expect from Cole Haan.
These amenity kits are lovely! My favorite ones are the miniature rimowa suitcase kits that Lufthansa used to give out in First class.
I like the latest British Airways First Class amenity kits as they look stylish and are not too bulky but have great contents. Plus they’re reusable.
Of these, definitely the International First. Overall, I have to love the legacy airline business kits AA was doing for a while. Just cool to see all the old logos!
I would LOVE one of these! I actually have a pair of Cole Haan boots that match them perfectly.
The First Class International kit looks amazing!
I’ve never been in a situation to receive one: this would be my first! My favorite destination is Cape Town, South Africa.
The business one from cx is pretty nice lax to hkg
I love EVA Rimowa kits even AA kits are a great improvement now
The AA first class kit looks fabulous! Nice leather kit. I like that AA refreshes their kit regular.
First class Int’l.
Those legacy carrier AA kits were pretty awesome. I still have two. Fits an ipad mini in there pretty nicely.
I have never flown in First Class in all of my 63 years of flying so the First Class International Amenity Kit might be the closest I ever get. And it is beautiful!
These look great! I’d love one for my daughter.
The hard shell TUMIs from TG and TK over the years have been the most functional for reuse, though contents always seem variable. Other than for the collector value (and eBay resale) the LH, BR and OZ (and the exclusive MegaDo) Rimowa are not very functional for reuse, but miniatures of full-sized items always seem to have an appeal. Classic were the old BA Anya Handmarsh F kits with their cloth finished photos of that carrier’s fleet over the decades, and it actually repurposes well (holding my non-liquid toiletries since I got the first on back in the 1980s). The first series of the “new AA” were nice collectors items (featuring as you mention the liveries of its predecessor airlines) but as iPad mini cases, the felt began to fray after a few months of heavy use. Their replacement with the first generation Cole Haan was welcome for both contents and case(s) though this second generation are superb design-wise while apparently maintaining the variety of cosmetic brands on the inside. Even the small business transcon would be a handy item to repurpose, and the document slot on the international F cases adds further functionality to the iPad/tablet case holder/clutch. Class act AA. Looking forward to picking up a few of these various types through this year.
Cathay – First Class Amenity Kit with those Shanghai Tang Pajamas.
My 2 favourite are the EVA and the JAL. I especially enjoy the Loewe cologne in the latter. I do find the Rimowa to be of less use than either (different styles in and out of Japan) of the JAL.
I really liked the Austrian Airlines rucksack they gave out last summer. So cute and appropriate for Austria!
Business class transcontinental is also nice.
I always liked the metal pencil cases Turkish gave out in economy. We’ve gotten so much use out of them over the years.
Clearly I don’t take enough flights with such nice kits — that’s why I read your posts! Probably my best was Air Italia. While outward bag was not as nice as this, each interior item was nicely package and placed in a hard case. Thank you! Favorite destination? South Africa.
First class Int’l.
My faves are the Rimowa ones from Lufthansa, Thai, EVA Air and ANA. I have a small collection.
I’ve never received an amenity kit, so this one would be my favorite. My wife loves Cole Haan shoes.
The 1st class transcontinental one looks awesome.
It’s been a while since I’ve been in business class, so I’ll just say that the favorites of the ones I’ve actually gotten (and I’m dating myself here) are the UA tin hub city kits, the Lufthansa children’s charity amenity kit, and the LH world cup edition kit from a couple years back. I’ve wanted a Rimowa kit, but never had the opportunity to get one of those.
These are beautiful! The first class transcontinental has a really nice looking pouch.
The Cole Haan First Class International Amenity Kit would be my new favorite!
My favourite amenity kit is the Rimowa ones in Lufthansa but the new American ones looks lovely! I would love to add these to my collection!
The AA first class international looks beautiful and so functional!
The rimowa amenity kits are also so cute! (ana, Eva air).
The International first sure does look nice and it can be used as an iPad case. I am still drawn to the transcon business since I like to maximize my carry on space.
My favorite amenity kit is the current First Class International Amenity Kit! Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂
The transcon business kit shown above looks absolutely amazing!
I am really like the transcon first class the best – i can see a lot of ways to reuse that one. Hoping to nap a few of these this year! Obviously, the international first class looks the best!
I really liked the United Global First amenity kit circa 2014. I have reused it many times and always loved that little wooden comb.
Would love to win one of the kits, the few I have, I’ve kept, use them for a variety of things, but my most recent AA kit travels with me all the time, it’s the zip up bag holder for all my various charge cords, its showing some wear and needs a replacement 🙂
Ed, have to say one of my faves was a small messenger bag kit that Etihad gave out in Biz. Tho I do like the rimowa kits…
My wife is a Cole Haan fan… first store she hits at Potomac Mills… F/J Intl kit would be a hit with her. I like the brown/black accents. PS you still owe me from last year 🙂
I have never received an amenity kit but these look great. My favorite destination so far is Israel. What amazing history and people!
Love Cole Haan! They have the best leather… wouldn’t be great if I scored one of these for my next flight!
I got a rust-colored amenity kit flying Thai business years ago, filled with Erb products. It’s held up remarkably well and has become my go-to when packing toiletries over weekend trips.
The First Class International kit looks awesome.
The Business Class International kit is my favorite here.
British Airways Men’s First Class
The First Class Transcontinental kit is nice looking! Would probably use the case for all of my cords during business travel!
I really enjoy the BA First kit that I received when I was “involuntarily” upgraded (from heavily discounted J!) leaving LHR for DEN. It’s not that the case itself is so great, just the memory associated with it.
I’m with he majority here in thinking the First kit looks like the nicest, although I’m a sucker for PJs.
New AA first class international that doubles as a tablet sleeve is pretty slick!
The Turkish Airlines jaguar lit is a nice tablet case.
Wow. Typed too quickly. Jaguar should be capitalized, and it’s an amenity kit, not lit (not lighting apparatus included)
Favorite destination? Anywhere on a cruise ship, really. 🙂
I use the Emirates First Class kit as my toiletries bag while traveling, and in remembrance of my “shower in the sky”
I like the first class international kit. Love that it can be used as an iPad case.
Love the first class international kit. Would be great to house my ipad! I’ve found the more “homes” I have for my items, the easier it is to stay organized and find what I need when traveling.
I have a few of the Rimowa cases and I love them. They now hold all of my travel adapters, cords and plugs plus my tiny travel speaker.
My favorite destination would be anywhere in Japan
These kits are lovely, especially the 1st class international! MUCH nicer than the business class ones on Air France!
I really liked the AA heritage kits.
I’d like one too…:)
My favorite amernity kit was the Delta Tumi nylon cases. My work bag is filled with them holding all the power cords for my computer gadgets.
A recent cool kit I got was the Cathay Business…just the right size to store camera lenses. Of course, the Etihad 1st is streets ahead.
I have been eyeing the Rimowa amenity kit for long time. I really like this AA kit!
I haven’t had the fortune yet to take a flight in business or first class offering an amenity kit. I did however really enjoy the little “kit” I got in Quantas economy from LAX to Sydney several years back. It had water, snacks, earplugs, eyeshades, and a couple of other little things. I thought it was great because that way I could sleep/snack when I wanted to without FAs disturbing me. I also really enjoyed that flight because when I checked in the gate agent took a look at me (5’11”) and said, “let’s get you a seat with more leg room.” I got a seat in an exit row, which on that flight meant about 5′ extra. Awesome! Of course that was before airlines started charging you extra for those seats.
I really like the Rimowa case as it has come in handy for reuse in my travels. These new AA kits also look pretty fancy and would be great to toss in your bag on trips.
I like the mouthwash. Comes in handy as I try to avoid a lot of germs on the plane. My LHR-LAX flight in first last week still were using the old business class amenities but the pjs were a nice touch.
I love Thai FC kit, but those new AA kits look very cool!
I remember my first flight on Virgin Atlantic back in 1997(?) came with a nice amenity kit in economy (I paid something like $250 r/t from BOS-LGW…not chump change for a poor college student, but still affordable!). My favorite part was that the sleep mask said “wakey wakey” on it. This was back in the day of the animated safety video featuring Ewan McGregor’s voice.
No comparison to these upscale kits you show here, but thoughtful and well-designed economy kits seem to be a dying breed.
I’ve only had an Alitalia kit, and passed it onto my daughter who flew coach on TAP a day earlier than my flight. Sad consolation kit, but I’m the points collector.
The First class kit is probably one of my favorites. Most kits are tiring since there’s really no use for them. Well I’ve never had a kit but i don’t see much more use than what a perfume set kit would have.
The iPad re-purpose makes me want it though! and I’ve got an ipad just waiting for it.
My husband loved Lufthansa’s Limited Edition World Cup amenity kit. He uses it all the time.
oh I am so jealous anything football I would love……..or soccer to some of you less informed,lol
Any kit with pjs is fun….I really wonder how many people wear them and how they work out the size?
Tiffany, I’ve never had a pair of pajamas that fit “Well”, but they do work nicely for sleeping on a plane.
Favorite is the old pan am first class amenity kit probably because if was my first. Still have an untouched one. Wouldn’t mind a new American one. Looks amazing.
Michael, I am crazy jealous of your Pan Am kit.
Wow I would love the one with PJ’s… First Class International……looks really nice be great for my upcoming trip…..the only one I ever got was a united one nothing special and the tin broke the first time you opened it,lol.
Thanks for the giveaway! I like Etihad’s business class kits for their city themes.
My favorite is the Lufthansa first class kit (from 2015). I continue to use the high quality leather case and it’s just the right size for me to carry
I Love all the kits but really love the Business Class Transcontinental Amenity Kit for the look of the bag, the First Class Transcontinental Amenity Kit is sweet looking as well. I do have a question regarding the American Airlines flights, I booked a return flight Bos to PVR and now I have to change the dates by a week and the prices and length of flights have tripled. can you explain or do you have any suggestions to compensate for the changes.
This is such an awesome give way. The AA kits are amazing. They are so handy. Absolutely love the Cole Haan design. Such a great pairing. Would love to win one.
Thanks! My favorite is the Tumi one from JAL!
I like the hard case Rimowa kits from EVA. I don’t have to worry about things getting crushed when I stash the kit into my backpack.
The business class one seems to have more space than the first class – I am totally a fan! Makes it easier to re-use it, too!
I’ve always liked the United Global First ones; I have a few of those stashed.
I like to old kits from 6-7 years ago and I still use them for chargers and stuff while traveling. We just did a trip in C ORD-NRT and got the Cole Haan westbound and the old felt kit coming back.
We got nice kits from DFW-LAX-HND, and returning NRT-DFW just last week. I don’t know if they were the new CH kits, but my wife (who took all of them) liked them very much.
I liked the JAL one I got….
Hello Edward,
I like the international first class and I could really use those pajamas!
Thank you.
Rob
The first class International kit is beautiful, but any of the new kits are an improvement.
Looks nicer than the Business Class kit from Air India!
I’ve only flown first class on United but thought their Olympics kits were fun (if a bit flimsy). Would love to have the International First Class one but would be happy with any of these!
Sorry, but it is not a very competitive amenity kit. For the past year, I don’t even take the AA ones with me. Your photos don’t show the actual amenities – they’re tiny and nor even 1/2 full. The amount of lotion and lip balm is barely enough to use inflight – same for mouthwash and it doesn’t even have a top! No face cream or makeup wipe for women. It is marginally useful inflight (socks, earplugs, lotion, lip balm and toothpaste) but bring your own toothbrush, eyeshade and makeup wipes. Of all the international amenity kits out there – I can’t think of one that is more low-end than AA’s newest offering.
On a positive note – I still appreciate AA’s Bose headphones and good entertainment systems and think they generally do a good job on the meal offerings – but they dropped the ball on amenity kits in my opinion.
Valid points, Kelly. My wife definitely spends more time analyzing the beauty products in the kits than I do.
I like the Turkish Airlines tablet – sized ones.
I also really liked the AA Heritage amenity kits. Still use my Allegheny case (especially since I’m from PIT) for weekend trips. I do like the new int’l biz kits as well – I think it’s a bit more unisex than some of the other kits.
Moving forward with Cole Haan. These look more practical than the ones they gave out last year.
One of my favorites is the delta Tumi kit. We use the bag for carrying wires, batteries, storing gift cards, etc.
Love the all. Cole Haan is great. Love the transcontinental first class.
Favorites destination: can’t choose. Stuck between Iceland, Athens, Barcelona
I like the birch box from JetBlue’s Mint class as it gives samples of product I wouldn’t think of buying from some new companies.
Cheers!
I think Darren would have loved these. Thanks for mentioning him and making me smile. I really don’t have a favorite kit but these look really nice.
Joseph, I suspect Darren would have loved them as well. He popped in my head when I saw them. Hope he’s smiling down at us. 😉
Did anyone see if there was actually a winner announced?
I had a schedule SNAFU this week, but intend to contact winners tomorrow and get them shipped out.
Thanks for delineating which route gets what kit, other articles hadn’t included it. Really like them all, AA is finally stepping up their game. I am glad they are bringing back an int’l F kit that can double as an iPad holder. It’s always great to be somewhere (that’s not an airport) and have someone notice it and ask what I thought of my flight, etc.. and compare AvGeek notes.
Apologies for the delays. Congrats to the following winners:
Katie Kosta
Gaga
Robert Tomanek
Colleen Hogan-Lopez
Send me an e-mail at ed -at- pizzainmotion dot com with your mailing address and I’ll get them headed your way!