It’s time for another amenity kit review and I’ve selected the current United Airlines Business Class kit this time around. For a better description of each category, and the 7-point scale for scoring, please review my introduction post here.
Bag/Container: The small zippered pouch is made of a metallically plastic material and feels rather cheap in my opinion. Several options in header colors differentiate the kits as they are found near your seat upon boarding, and include a fabric tab with United & the tulip branded on one side and the Murad logo on the opposite. I suppose it could be reused for receipts or to hold money, but otherwise I think it’s pretty useless. Score: 2
Skin Care: United chose the Murad line of skin care products for their current kits, and included a product information card with additional details, as well as an offer to visit Murad’s website for a free cleanser ($35 value) and shipping with a purchase of $125 or more. The lotion is nearly scentless (can’t determine its “flavor”) and contains enough for a couple of uses. If this were the only item for skin care, I’d rate this category poorly, but United stocks additional amenities in the lavatories including a pomegranate body lotion in a pump, refreshing facial mist that I really like, and another liquid skin cleanser. Score: 5
Oral Care: The difference between the First Class kit & this one for oral care is pretty significant. Here, United provides a downgraded toothpaste (Fresh Mint) and the small medium-bristled toothbrush. No mints or mouthwash for which I believe should be standard for business class as well. Score: 2
Comfort Items: This kit contains the standard eyeshades, socks & earplugs found in most business class amenity kits, but United does downgrade them a touch from the first class kit. The eyeshades fit snugly and are effective blocking out the light, but have a more plastic feel to them. The socks are also slightly cheaper but fine for a single use, and the earplugs are just terrible. These are the same ones found in the first kit and are hard & uncomfortable in the ear. Please, United, bring back the Ear® brand for the next version! Score: 3
Intangibles: Amenity kits in my opinion should feel substantial and emit a sense of luxury. This kit is so light that one could easily mistake it for a small neck pillow (or maybe not, but if you’ve received one you probably know what I mean). I think it’s cheap and fairly insulting especially if you had paid a business class fare. Score: 1
Total score & comments:
With the exception of fairly decent skin care products in the lavatory, I have a hard time finding much else good to say about this kit. In fact, I think this kit is a downgrade from the previous drawstring version. One plus, however, is United finally includes a pen with their kits, but again this one is very cheap and easily breakable. I’m hoping the new United business class kit will be a hybrid of Continental’s current version & United’s First Class model. As such, I feel the total score of 2.90 accurately reflects the overall impression this kit leaves with a premium passenger.
