American unveils revamped onboard experience with new amenity kits, bedding and more
American Airlines is gearing up to launch its new Flagship onboard products with a big update to the soft product.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier is debuting new amenity kits, bedding and meals Memorial Day weekend. This includes the airline's first-ever rotating selection of amenity kits, sustainability-focused bedding and additional meal choices as part of a new menu rotation.
"We really based this on customer feedback. So we're incredibly customer-focused at American, we're putting the customer at the center of everything we're doing. And in the design of all of these new amenities and bedding program that we're rolling out, it's really based on customer feedback," Raphael Girardoni, American's managing director of customer experience product and design, said in an interview with TPG.
You'll find all the details below.
New American Airlines amenity kits
American will launch new amenity kits in its first-, business- and premium economy cabins beginning Memorial Day weekend.
The airline will have two different types of kits for travelers: one that's part of its "permanent collection" and another that's offered on a limited-time basis.
The amenity kits will include all the staple amenities that travelers have come to expect from premium cabin pouches, such as a toothbrush, a dental kit, an eye mask and earplugs. The carrier is also partnering with Los Angeles-based beauty retailer Thirteen Lune on the skincare offerings in the amenity kits.
The featured beauty brands will rotate throughout the year, starting with companies such as Joanna Vargas and Relevant.
In addition to the permanent amenity kit, American will also offer limited-edition specialty kits in partnership with Thirteen Lune. The airline isn't sharing the full collection of kits, but it did say that travelers will receive this special limited-time kit for the first few weeks of the summer.
"We're giving our customers fresh and exciting kits throughout the life of the program," Girardoni said.
In anticipation of this announcement, American sent me the new kits. I was impressed by the limited-edition kits, especially the different shapes of the bags. The contents felt a bit basic, especially the scratchy eye mask, but I'm excited to try the new wellness products on future trips.
New American Airlines bedding
Over recent years, we've seen two of the largest U.S. carriers, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, introduce new bedding and sleepwear focused on sustainability.
Now, it's American's turn to get on this bandwagon as it eliminates the single-use plastic waste that's typically connected to the distribution of pillows and blankets. American's new premium cabin bedding will be distributed in a reusable zipper product bag made with recycled fibers, saving 25 tons of plastic waste a year, according to American.
The carrier will also use recycled fibers and fills from John Horsfall's Re-Thread collection in its new duvets and pillows.
American's new premium cabin pillows will be dual-sided, with a cool-touch fabric on one side and traditional fabric on the other. The airline will also debut new duvets and mattress pads.
Pajamas will remain available in Flagship First (for as long as this cabin is still available) and in the newly introduced Flagship Suite Preferred seats. Slippers will now be available in business class on all international flights, not just on ultra-long-haul flights.
It remains to be seen how customers react to American's new bedding collection, but because flyer preferences are so diverse, there will likely be some travelers who like the new options and some who will miss the old Casper pillows, blankets and mattress pads.
New American Airlines meals
Along with the new amenity kits and bedding, American will also introduce a revamped dining menu this spring.
The airline's new menu rotation includes staples such as pan-roasted chicken and tortelloni pasta, as well as some new dishes like macadamia-crusted sea bass with citrus cream sauce. American does a great job of publishing the menu for its flights within 30 days of departure, so you should start seeing these new offerings launch in the coming weeks.
In addition to the new staples, American is also introducing an extensive new preorder menu for travelers who want to pick their meals before their flight.
American didn't publish the full list of preorder options, but it did mention that there will be rotating selections that vary by region. This includes options such as shawarma seasoned grilled chicken and short rib macaroni and cheese on domestic flights.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, American's onboard catering has remained among the better options in the domestic skies. The airline's meals are generally far more enticing than those offered by United, and they are often on par with what Delta offers in its premium cabins.
Bottom line
All of American's improvements are focused on the soft product — the elements of the flight experience that aren't physically bolted into the plane.
The airline is launching new amenity kits, bedding and meals that are poised to elevate the onboard experience. Of course, we'll have to wait to try out the revamped experience on an upcoming flight, but it should be exciting news for frequent flyers who might be tired of the airline's existing offerings.
While American's announcement is focused on the soft product, the carrier has big upgrades coming to the hard product, with all-new suites launching in the coming months.
American's upcoming deliveries of Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be outfitted with the airline's new Flagship Business Suites with sliding doors and other improvements. The airline will also retrofit its existing Boeing 777-300ERs with the new Flagship Business Suites.
Between the new suites and the upgraded soft product, American is poised to be a top contender for the best business-class experience in the U.S.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees