New UC amenity kits have landed

I am a bit surprised by the overwhelmingly negative response!

I'm going to save my comments for my TR but I am a little bit more positive than most on this thread.

Better get going on my thoughts about the new UCS. ):

When these were posted on the Virgin facebook page a while a go there was a hint of wait and see what's coming...

...Epic fail I think.

When these were posted on the Virgin facebook page a while a go there was a hint of wait and see what's coming...

...Epic fail I think.

This is more along the lines of what I thought they would be ... !

When these were posted on the Virgin facebook page a while a go there was a hint of wait and see what's coming...

...Epic fail I think.

Huh, did not notice that before.... having separate amenity kits for men and women in upper and maybe even premium sounds like a good idea actually. It differs the offering and makes it more specific to the user.. Not to mention giving the FSM another reason to visit pax seats..

I will wait until I fly out again in a few weeks time to see if I can fashion a shiv out of the toothbrush ):

Well I won't be getting too excited for my UC flight next week v(

However, on the plus side it appears that the salt and pepper planes are back, reports from a VS crew member on another website say they are now Black.

-Steve

When these were posted on the Virgin facebook page a while a go there was a hint of wait and see what's coming...

...Epic fail I think.

Huh, did not notice that before.... having separate amenity kits for men and women in upper and maybe even premium sounds like a good idea actually. It differs the offering and makes it more specific to the user.. Not to mention giving the FSM another reason to visit pax seats..

I will wait until I fly out again in a few weeks time to see if I can fashion a shiv out of the toothbrush ):

If they're as flimsy as Paul says you may end up with nothing but a broken "designer" toothbrush.

Here's a random thought, how about wait to experience it before knocking it ): . Trying something different should be encouraged, the offerer should then change quickly if it doesn't work based on real experience (and on that point I'll reserve judgement). If the pen doesn't work then that's just sick, but 99% of people are only going to use it to fill out one form ... steal a pen from the clubhouse if you must.

So many different points of view, but I remain in favour of the basic kit plus the bowl of goodies, by far the best option. You know, flying UC you can pack all sorts of goodies yourself: for example I take an electric toothbrush, moisturiser, Tod's slip ons for my feet, a pen ( wow :0 ) - but it's really nice to be offered when I forget (a bit like a five star hotel does).

For those who say what does EK or SQ do, well erm nothing but socks and eyeshades on EK for example with items in the loos like toothbrushes and paste ...

As for the shoe bags, when I buy shoes they tend to come with bags .

Oh mixed thoughts, long day (Brussels and back on the first train!) and confusion amidst a nice Hendricks martini!

[buns]

Slinky

Well said y) y)

The comparison with luxury hotels brought it home to me - thanks

buns

[preiffer]

Sorry - disagree on the "well said" front.

Would be a great comparison IF the same "offer" was available from VS. There is no such "backup supply" of essentials (ie: the old "bowl to choose from" any more) - and I'm not comparing to EK (although I DO have a full amenity kit from my last long haul flight with them which was very very good but does depend on the time of day you fly). I'm looking at many other long-haul carriers: BA, CX - I mean, come on, even Air Canada have something which seems impressive compared to this!

This is a service which people pay up to £500 an HOUR to experience - and VS provide *this* as a measure of the quality behind which they stand. If this were something that was a one-off mistake, and to be worked on, OK - but this is the result of yet more "extensive research and feedback" blah blah blah, and *this* is what they thought would impress customers over and above the previous Looze-Kits.



Absolutely, people should try it and make their own minds up before coming to a conclusion.

I have, and I did - I find it insulting. n( n(

Wow - Just shows what can get people going.
Granted, it doesn't look great a top tier product and the research people should be shot. Is this in-house or an external desgin brief I wonder??
Personally used to love Ozwald Boateng kits, to me a little bit of class but not too much but we each have our own opinion. I look at the give aways like sleep suits, once you have five or six they really become a chore to put in your hand luggage to take home!!!

One last word......VS Give me a sliver pen. It can be a small one or a big one. I still have them all and they are REALLY useful.........

Here's a random thought, how about wait to experience it before knocking it ): . Trying something different should be encouraged, the offerer should then change quickly if it doesn't work based on real experience (and on that point I'll reserve judgement). If the pen doesn't work then that's just sick, but 99% of people are only going to use it to fill out one form ... steal a pen from the clubhouse if you must.

So many different points of view, but I remain in favour of the basic kit plus the bowl of goodies, by far the best option. You know, flying UC you can pack all sorts of goodies yourself: for example I take an electric toothbrush, moisturiser, Tod's slip ons for my feet, a pen ( wow :0 ) - but it's really nice to be offered when I forget (a bit like a five star hotel does).

For those who say what does EK or SQ do, well erm nothing but socks and eyeshades on EK for example with items in the loos like toothbrushes and paste ...

As for the shoe bags, when I buy shoes they tend to come with bags .

Oh mixed thoughts, long day (Brussels and back on the first train!) and confusion amidst a nice Hendricks martini!

Ahh slinky, gotta love a good rant (and a good martini) y) y)

Agree with ya on a couple of points, if I foresee needing something I usually take it with me (including a pen) Good idea for a basic kit and a tray or bowl in the toilets and near the bar for essentials that people can pick up as needed.

Will def give it a shot on my next flight, but this more comes down to how an airline values it's pax doesn't it? If they provide a tacky and below standard amenity pack to their passengers it transmits a message of what they believe is acceptable to said passengers, could be def seen as insulting with substandard offerings.

Anyways Tinuks, will see about that 'designer' shiv.. ):

As for the shoe bags, when I buy shoes they tend to come with bags .

Touché . I never used them as shoe bags lol .
slinks, it's still a load of rubbish .
Bring back the basket , whatever.... I was vocal enough about the snooze pack. This takes amenity offerings to a new all time low v( .
All I need now now is for the (previously enjoyed) ninja suits to be reincarnated into a 100% polyester offering..... :0 :0
DL

Am I the only one who doesn't give a toss about these things? I never use anything in them, and never take them with me...Of all the the other tings VS could improve, amenity kits are way down the list for me.

Am I the only one who doesn't give a toss about these things? I never use anything in them, and never take them with me...Of all the the other tings VS could improve, amenity kits are way down the list for me.

Agreed, but the fact they do provide one it should be better then it is

Am I the only one who doesn't give a toss about these things? I never use anything in them, and never take them with me...Of all the the other tings VS could improve, amenity kits are way down the list for me.

Agreed, but the fact they do provide one it should be better then it is

Completely agree - everyone has a different view on what might or might not be useful (in my case, my wife likes the socks, but otherwise it's of no use to me), but if you're going to produce something, you'd hope it sends a decent message that they care about their customers.

As I've said, I'll reserve further judgement until I've tested the new offering for myself, but it's not looking good from what's been said to date.

[Darren Wheeler]

Me? I'm totally indifferent to amenity kits and frankly they could ditch them and I'll not lose any sleep.

Looking in my carry-on now.

Pen? Yes.
Pack of tissues? Yes.
Eye mask? No but for a 2.5 hour flight, not needed.
Earplugs? Yes, but not those cheap nasty foam ones.

I can appreciate some will need/like/want a kit, but the concept is cold to me.

It dosent look at all impresssive to me, I have previously always taken the UC amenity kit home as found the shoe bags useful, cant see me bothering with the new one after the first couple of trips.

This does more harm than good to VS image. Better to have nothing on the seat but put tooth brushes and toothpaste in draws in the toilets and stick pens, mints earplugs etc in baskets on the bar and/or bring them around. This would surely create less wastage and the saving made could go towards better quality items for those that do require them. Many of these kits are going to be left behind on the plane (but not reuseable) or binned as soon as the pax gets home

Confronting a passenger with this tat (when they may have paid several thousand pounds for their ticket) just creates an needless bad impression. Let us ask for a pen when we need one then give us something that works and that we may keep.

Its rather like giving my 8 year old son 5p pocket money, he'll rightly moan about that, but give him nothing and buy him a packet of sweets occasionally and he'll be much happier

Amazing that we are already missing the shoe bag!

My only complaint is that the toothbrush twists whilst using it as the handle is round. Other than that the kist is more useable than before and the tissues a good addition.
At least they are trying to improve.

I'm surprised luxury goods companies (Cowshed, Molton Brown etc) aren't falling over themselves to get small samples of their products included in the UC amenity kit.

If they translate into sales to UC passengers once on the ground surely that's a win win.

Maybe it's a space/weight issue - in which case why not stuff it full of vouchers for exclusive offers?

I am looking forward to getting mine

good point gumshoe. Wonder the same. I reckon they can get some decent customers from it. They give samples anywhere in the world at the most random places so why not on a plane where your more likely to use it and/or take it and have a serious look at it.

I'm surprised luxury goods companies (Cowshed, Molton Brown etc) aren't falling over themselves to get small samples of their products included in the UC amenity kit.

If they translate into sales to UC passengers once on the ground surely that's a win win.

Maybe it's a space/weight issue - in which case why not stuff it full of vouchers for exclusive offers?

Good thought, but I do disagree on this one.

Cowshed used to do things in the amenity kits and they still have cowshed soap in the toilets but in terms of branding... you hit a VS flight, VS are going to want you to take their branded items home with you to promote their company. Now if only they made anything worth stealing aside from Wilbur and Orville (which by the way are VS branded on the base )

I'm surprised luxury goods companies (Cowshed, Molton Brown etc) aren't falling over themselves to get small samples of their products included in the UC amenity kit.

If they translate into sales to UC passengers once on the ground surely that's a win win.

Maybe it's a space/weight issue - in which case why not stuff it full of vouchers for exclusive offers?

Good thought, but I do disagree on this one.

Cowshed used to do things in the amenity kits and they still have cowshed soap in the toilets but in terms of branding... you hit a VS flight, VS are going to want you to take their branded items home with you to promote their company. Now if only they made anything worth stealing aside from Wilbur and Orville (which by the way are VS branded on the base )

I recall there was once a certain cola drink that they promoted on their flights. Not a roaring success sadly... :w

Good thought, but I do disagree on this one.

Cowshed used to do things in the amenity kits and they still have cowshed soap in the toilets but in terms of branding... you hit a VS flight, VS are going to want you to take their branded items home with you to promote their company.

OK, so why not a discount code for Virgin Trains (not for much longer clearly!) or Virgin America? Or an incentive to use Virgin Money?

My point is the kits could be used as a promotional tool, offering something of real value to the passenger while not costing VS anything (and potentially even raising revenue if companies that aren't a rival to the Virgin brand pay to have their products included).

Just feels like they're missing a trick here.