Valerian Ho takes a peek inside the amenity kits of yesteryear
Airlines have been providing passengers with amenity kits since the early days of commercial flights – but at first their contents were somewhat more practical.
In the late 1920s and 1930s, US carriers such as American Airlines offered the Air Traveller’s Packet, a paper bag containing Bauer and Black cotton balls to block out the noise from the old piston engines, and Wrigley’s chewing gum to combat changes in air pressure.
Delta's President Special kit
By the 1950s, Pan Am was recognising the role of the amenity kit in making premium passengers feel special. First class travellers on flights from New York to London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires were given the President Special. Housed in a cylindrical metal case, it comprised a gold-anodized Gillette double-edge razor and blade with shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste.
The following decade, the airline began offering perfume to the ladies, and cologne and aftershave to the gentlemen.
AA's Air Traveler's Packet
In 1978, Delta Air Lines introduced its first kit on flights from Atlanta to London Gatwick. Inside was a washcloth, comb,
toothbrush and paste, hand lotion and an emery board encased in a white vinyl pouch decorated with Delta’s London inaugural floral emblem.
There was also a sewing kit, in case you wanted to do any mending on board – well, there wasn’t much in the way of in-flight entertainment back then...
Delta's President Special kit
By the 1950s, Pan Am was recognising the role of the amenity kit in making premium passengers feel special. First class travellers on flights from New York to London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires were given the President Special. Housed in a cylindrical metal case, it comprised a gold-anodized Gillette double-edge razor and blade with shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste.
The following decade, the airline began offering perfume to the ladies, and cologne and aftershave to the gentlemen.
AA's Air Traveler's Packet
In 1978, Delta Air Lines introduced its first kit on flights from Atlanta to London Gatwick. Inside was a washcloth, comb,
toothbrush and paste, hand lotion and an emery board encased in a white vinyl pouch decorated with Delta’s London inaugural floral emblem.
There was also a sewing kit, in case you wanted to do any mending on board – well, there wasn’t much in the way of in-flight entertainment back then... 
