British Airways' new first class amenity kits take flight
By David Flynn, January 21 2014
British Airways' new first class amenity kits are now being introduced on the airline's daily flights from Sydney to Singapore and onwards to London.
The kits – or 'washbags', as the airline likes to call them – replace the popular Anna Hindmarch-designed 'Dopp bags' (below) across BA's Airbus A380, Boeing 777 and Boeing 747 fleet.
In an interesting twist, British Airways has chosen two different skincare partners: Aromatherapy Associates for the women's kit, and London grooming specialist The Refinery for the men's.
BA assembled its new first class kits after conducting research with passengers to find out what they really want in their wash bag, beyond the usual toothbrush, toothpaste and eye-mask.
"What surprised us was the simplicity of the items they feel are missing from the traditional wash-bag" says Kate Thornton, British Airways' head of product and service. "Deodorant is a good example, as is a decent hairbrush or comb."
The two new soft-bag kits boast a range of specially tailored products for men and women.
Aromatherapy Associates First Class washbag for women
- Firming Eye Serum (5ml) to plump, firm and add moisture to the eye area
- Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser (15ml) to provide essential moisture and leave skin delicately scented
- Orange Flower Hand Lotion (15ml) to keep hands nourished and soft
- Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser (15ml) to help thoroughly clean and rehydrate the skin
- The kit also includes a Deodorant Stick, Lip Balm Stick, Cotton Wool Pad, Toothbrush/Toothpaste and combined Hairbrush and mirror.
The Refinery First Class washbag for men
- Revitalising Moisturiser (15ml) to firm, hydrate and completely refresh
- Eye Gel (5ml) to cool and restore the delicate eye area
- Shave Gel (30ml), for a soothing and close shave
- The kit also contains a Lip Balm Stick, Deodorant Stick, Razor, Brush and comb, Toothbrush/Toothpaste and pen
The new first class kits join the recently-upgraded Club World business class kits which feature products from BA partner Elemis contained in a versatile drawstring bag which the airline says can double "as a shoe or lingerie and underwear bag."
The men's business class kit includes Elemis Skin Soothe Shave Gel, Pro-Collagen Marine Cream moisturiser and lip balm along with the usual razor, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste and a handy pen for filling out those arrivals forms.
Women will get the same moisturiser and lip balm as the blokes but are also treated to a 'soothing apricot facial wipe' plus Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand & Nail Cream.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 735
A pen! Excellent choice. So many airlines leave out this twenty-cent easily-branded implement which every international passenger needs and so many of us don't have handy. I don't care about random tubes of cosmetic products, but I can always make use of a pen.
Deoderant: another good choice.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Logic be lost on these airline execs Obi One
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2012
Total posts 124
I'm a little perplexed why the staple items required for long-haul flights such as an eye-mask or ear plugs for resting/sleeping are not included in the new Business and First kits. I imagine they are now 'on request' only. Many passengers may not realise that you possibly can request them.
21 Sep 2012
Total posts 49
On Emirates they were provided at the seat already when you boarded, you didn't need to ask for them.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Updated dop bag? THAT is the best BA can do while the competition is introducing direct aisle access across the board in first and biz class!!
You know you have lost the plot when even American Airlines (with their new biz class) can outclass you BA!!
Can anyone say missed opportunity (re: A380 & B787 recent launches)?
Tut tut, stiff upper lip (touch the trolly, back to the galley)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
I like them. Very nice
31 Dec 2013
Total posts 10
i find that the Club World washbags are much more attractive personally. a simple and smart design, and one can really use it as a gym shoe bag or something else. the first class washbags, by contrast, are ordinary.
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 154
Having acquired one of the J bags on BA16 last week, if that's the upgraded version, I hate to think what they were like before! They only thing it was useful for was (for some reason) arousing the suspicious of the people on security when I transferred at LHR.
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