UC Amenity Kits

I know I have commented on this in another thread, but am I the only one who thinks that the amenity kits have fallen in quality over the years. At one time, we got a really useful container, that doubled up as a small soapbog on future journeys and in another case, as a camera bag with a belt hoop. Inside we got similar toothpaste, toothbrush, ear plugs, socks etc. but also Oswald Boatang cuff links, UC branded key rings, metal pens amongst other items.
Now, a bit of a rubbishy ipad holder (I do not like Apple product, so do not have an ipad), with just the overnight items, and no keepsakes like the cufflinks and key rings. Come on Virgin, up your game on these little extras.

BTW - the flights are still brilliant, great service, great seats - the best way to travel.

Lol, well it has been mentioned a couple of times. Yet another dissatisfied customer VS ...

It may be optimistic to hope for an improvement in the amenity kits whilst VS are in the red, perhaps when (if) they are ever back to black we may see some improvements on the cufflinks front

Fingers crossed 8D

Funnily enough I actually use one for my iPad, it works well alongside the rigid keyboard that I also have (which says it all because clearly I'm too cheap to buy a MacBook Air...). That said, it's not like I need a stack of them, which is what I now have.

Yes, the contents are pretty shabby, but we're just going to get into the same old debate here and where it ends up is that everyone has a different perspective on what they want. For the occasional leisure flyer in UC paying their own way, they might appreciate some nice things. For the frequent business traveller, a toothbrush might be more than enough. And even those 2 statements are generalisations.

What I would however like to think though is that what they no longer spend on Ozwald Boateng baubles (and similar) would translate into a better service offering somewhere else. Better food perhaps, better wine (certainly!). Just something, unfortunately it's not that obvious...

Previous comments are valid, BUT, Upper Class is supposed to be a premium product and with that there are certain expectations!
I might be a bit of a sad lad but find the iPad cover useful, and use the ' shoe bags' handy for carrying all sorts of useless things around . ii) Travel is only a product and needs to be memorable on many levels, good quality, and useful items, in the amenity kits are part of the experience.
Perhaps Virgin should ask travellers what they expect rather than making sure that everything is biodegradable ? :0

I've not seen shoe bags for a while

Exactly. Shows how useful they were (are)! y)

I agree, there should be a touch of "premium-ness" in the premium class cabin. However like RC said times are tough. Let's hope though that as their financial situation improves, we will be properly rewarded for our loyalty. They can't hope that the clubhouses will be enough to calm us down. Some of us hate getting to airports v.early and would rather get the CH feeling on board.

I've rambled again. This was only supposed to be me chipping in with my two cents.

[honey lamb]

OK, my take on it.

The most useful things ever in an amenity kit are the ear plugs. An amenity kit without them is worse than useless. I have a constant supply that takes me everywhere and last night when the wind was whistling around my bedroom window it was a godsend to rummage around for a pair to get back to sleep again.

The Ozwald Boateng amenity kits - yes they were nice and stylish but did VS realise that women also travel in UC? I had more cufflinks than you could shake a stick at but nothing there for me! I got a key ring on one flight which I didn't need and on another a broken mirror. Anything else - zilch

SQ gave me bootees and an eye mask. BA some toiletries I could barely squeeze out of the tubes but the saving grace were the earplugs.

The shoe bags have been an added bonus and have carted shoes and a myriad of other things here there and everywhere but I was beginning to stockpile them

I await to see what EK offer me in November

I use the eye mask, ear plugs, and sometimes a pen, so I'm happy with the new offering, although its cheap feel is pretty obvious. The iPad case is nice but my first one frayed and came apart disturbingly quickly. Funnily enough, even though I mainly travel for work and am male, the things I'd most like to see are lip balm and moisturiser -- I find my skin gets very dry, and it's such a pain carrying toiletries through security these days.

I await to see what EK offer me in November

The men's bag is better than the women's, the women's one appears to be make-up sized. But, the toiletries are nice, a good sized toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, perfumed towelette, mirror, tissues, Bulgari perfume, hand-cream and face-cream.

In the men's one, you get similar Bulgari stuff and teeth equipment, but also shaving foam, old spice roll on and a razor.

No ear plugs in the ones we've got, so probably better to take your own.

It has always occurred to me that the optimum way to go about serving the needs or expectations of both
- the occasional passenger who wants to be made to feel "special" and who enjoys souvenier cufflinks, pens, whatever
AND
- the frequent user who has no further need for such things

would not be to dish anything out routinely onboard, but to have these things available to select in the ClubHouse for those who want them.

It has always occurred to me that the optimum way to go about serving the needs or expectations of both
- the occasional passenger who wants to be made to feel "special" and who enjoys souvenier cufflinks, pens, whatever
AND
- the frequent user who has no further need for such things

would not be to dish anything out routinely onboard, but to have these things available to select in the ClubHouse for those who want them.

That's actually a really good idea me thinks.
On our first ever UC flight (vs901) [an upgrade at the gate I might add ] I was really disappointed with the amenity kits.
To me the iPad cover? (I didn't realise lol)
Along with the contents seemed the same as PE or bucket lol. However as has been said already the service was top notch as always and for the first time ever I could sleep on a flight thanks to UCS.
But yes I agree a premium product should be a premium product.

good idea, but its not just Virgin UC passengers in the Clubhouse so would there have to be amenity kit police lol, and not every airport has a CH

Having made a few flights in UC over the past few years, I have two of the old Shoe Bag kits and now two of the new kits. I think I prefer the new kits as I can see more use for them then the shoe bag ones.

I still use my old zip cases and Boeteng one (sp?), also I have managed to make the ipad case last a whole year and found it useful. Contents are a bit crappy though.

I have found the new iPad/zip cases far more useful that the older shoe bag - both equally cheap.

good idea, but its not just Virgin UC passengers in the Clubhouse so would there have to be amenity kit police lol, and not every airport has a CH

OK, then. On the bar onboard or somewhere equivalent (as they did, briefly, with pens and mints and moisturisers and so on). I was just thinking about minimising weight onboard (possibly a trivial amount anyway).

[Darren Wheeler]

My view, on many occasions.

Could happily ditch the whole amenity pack and I'd not miss it one bit. I carry earplugs that are far better than those nasty foam ones. I have a cheap bic biro wich is far better than what is supplied.

I suppose VS could include all kinds of fancy bits, but the real question is "Would you be prepared to pay extra to get them?".

Could happily ditch the whole amenity pack and I'd not miss it one bit. I carry earplugs that are far better than those nasty foam ones. I have a cheap bic biro wich is far better than what is supplied.

I (and probably others too) essentially make my own amenity kit with my own normal sized tooth brush with paste, mouth wash, moisturiser, alcohol hand rub, wet wipes, eye shades, aspirin, pen (that works), deodorant etc etc

I suppose VS could include all kinds of fancy bits, but the real question is "Would you be prepared to pay extra to get them?".

The could get most of the contents for free if they used their negotiating clout with the companies that make the various products within the kit. The contents would be the same but the brands inside would not which would then add a bit of variety / mystery.

The kits are being put together anyway so it's really only a case of the people doing that work putting in a brand X tube than a brand Y tube

Actually I would be prepared to pay for something collectable with top name products that are only available on a flight.