Fiji Airways has quietly taken a bold step in business class by eliminating traditional amenity kits. The airline argues that many kits go unused or discarded, and that offering items individually makes more sense. Is this a reasonable change or just cost-cutting?

Fiji Airways Drops Business Class Amenity Kits To Reduce Waste, Save Money

Under its new service model, Fiji Airways will no longer place amenity kits at each seat or hand them out by default. Instead, flight attendants will pass through the cabin with a tray of individual items—such as moisturizer, socks, or eye masks—that passengers can select a la carte. This allows travelers to take only what they want, while cutting down on the number of unused kits that end up in storage or trash bins.

This move stands out because most airlines continue to view amenity kits as a core part of the premium experience. A handful of carriers, like Singapore Airlines in the past, have opted for an on-request system, but it is rare for a carrier to fully eliminate kits in business class. Fiji Airways, which is pursuing U.S. growth as a oneworld member, clearly wants to reframe the soft-product experience in a way that balances comfort with sustainability.

Outgoing CEO Andre Viljoen explained:

“We’ve been measuring for years now how many people take the amenity kit home and actually value it and the number that are left behind. We started waking up that we are wasting money.”

At least he admits cost was a concern and did not try to gaslight this change as simply being environmentally-friendly.

My View: Amenity Kits Are Like Passport Stamps—Fun, But Outmoded

I’ve flown enough business and first class to have boxes full of amenity kits (which has become somewhat of a burden…). I used to collect them like passport stamps—something fun to show off or reuse for storing other items. But over time, I noticed how many of them just piled up in closets, or worse, ended up unused and eventually discarded. The amount of packaging and fabric, even when the contents are decent, is a lot of waste. For the last year or so, I have rarely taken an amenity kit with me.

I think Fiji Airways is onto something with the a la carte tray. It gives passengers what they actually need, when they need it, without creating unnecessary waste by those who might just need, say, a toothbrush or eyeshade. Still, I would suggest one refinement: offer the full kit, but only on request. That would reduce waste while still giving passengers who value the bag, or simply want the whole set, the chance to receive it.

> Read More: Help! I’m An Airline Packrat…

CONCLUSION

Fiji Airways is one of the first carriers to remove amenity kits entirely from business class. It is a bold move that will no doubt polarize passengers. Some will appreciate the waste reduction, while others will feel something is missing from the premium experience. Personally, I see the value in trimming excess, but I would prefer a system where kits remain available on demand. That seems like a fair compromise between luxury and sustainability.

Does this by Fiji Airways move matter? Will other carriers follow?

image: Fiji Airways // Hat Tip: One Mile At A Time