American Airlines Will Introduce New Bedding, Amenity Kits, And Meals With New Business Class

In September American Airlines unveiled their new business class suites that would go into Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A321XLR aircraft. These won’t be flying until 2024. But at the same time they bring an elevated business class seat into the market, the airline also plans to introduce new inflight meal service, amenity kits, and bedding as well.

There was a recording of an internal employee question and answer session that was reviewed by View From The Wing, but I didn't hear much about it.

Two of the changes they are looking at are noted by the Vice President of Inflight.

• How flight attendant service flow works consider “zonal” service versus forward/aft service, similar how to British Airways with its large premium cabins deploys its crew.
• Changing meal service where they expect to “lean more into the club space [in the airport], going club to cabin.” He didn’t expand on what he meant here, though there’s a few possibilities.

  Inflight dining was cut back by United Airlines. With better food on the ground, they think customers don't need to eat much in the air. United ran out of food on my flight from Australia to San Francisco and there was only one bag of chips left in the train.

  It would be ideal if it meant 'dine anytime,' because passengers might have eaten on the ground. The Signature Suite is where I ate before my flight. Why don't you eat dinner at a later time? The crew was asked to hold dinner until mid-flight because a flight over 15 hours needs more than a meal.

New soft goods, specifically amenity kits and bedding, are being planned by American. Better inflight internet is being introduced. Panasonic connections that work poorly are present in American's domestic fleet.

That was offered by the Vice President of Customer Experience.

[W]e’re really thinking about our amenity kits differently and trying to reimagine this with a few things in mind: one, sustainability. two, diversity, how can we bring in more diverse suppliers for the amenity kits, and three what can we do from a local aspect and bring that into the amenity kit as well.

As they consider new amenity kits, diversity of suppliers and local aspects seem to be the least important things. A kit with key elements is called an amenities kit.

• Useful inflight items. A good kit ought to include toothpaste and toothbrush; comb; tissues; hand sanitizer; perhaps cologne; a pen (too many countries still require paper forms); mouth wash; moisturizer; chap stick; body lotion.
• Premium brand partnership. Singapore Airlines always stood out to me for large-sized amenities, not just small sample sizes. For years they offered Ferragamo, hard to pick a more premium name. I really liked Ferragamo Tuscan Soul. Full-sized premium items are great for my home guestroom bath.
• A useful premium bag as a takeaway. Not only is it a reminder of the flight, but it’s a cool giveaway that leads to telling stories about the flight and airline to loved ones at all, both spreading the word about the product and reinforcing positive emotions about the airline.

Four years ago, This Is Ground international bags were introduced in the US.

2019 American Airlines International First Class Amenity Kit