Amenities refresh in First
 

I haven’t seen reports, so I thought I’d note that certain amenities in first class have been updated:

• New pyjamas is the most evident. I like the fact that they feel lighter weight (as I prefer a cooler sleep), but I am not a fan of the very long neck. I also don’t like the removal of trouser pockets (in favour of pockets on the front of the top). Worth noting that on some routes they are still going through the old stock.
• Amenities trays in the bathrooms (the ones that hold the towels, as well as the shower amenities) and the “towels bin” are now plastic instead of wood. Good idea as the wood tended to generate mould and in some cases was really bad to look at.
• Soaps are also new fragrance-wise. Still Voya.

Kind of surprising that the wash bags / amenity kits have now been the same for a very long time. I don’t mind them, but a refresh would be nice (…as long as they don’t swap Bulgari products for Voya there too…).

Amenity bags are still hit and miss. Did 4 sectors last month in First - from London to Australia and back.

Got amenity bags only for 2 of the 4 sectors - on LHR-DXB and on MEL-DXB

What do you mean by "hit and miss"? That's a pretty broad and general statement that implies something beyond your personal experience. I have never been on an EK flight where I did not receive an amenity bag (this is in F) and it's always been proactive (almost always, already waiting for me at my seat; sometimes, brought to me after boarding). I'm not doubting that you didn't receive a bag on those 2 flights, but reacting to your statement.

Also, what actually happened on those two flights? Did they not proactively provide the bags and you didn't ask? Did they not provide them and you asked and they didn't have them?

In terms of the bags themselves, there have been some minor updates this year (for example, accent colors on the bags and perfume bottle design) but nothing major. Maybe, if it's not broken don't fix it...

I did 6 F flights MEL-EBB-LHR-MEL recently, and received an amenity kit each time. Even on the morning DXB-EBB flight!

I've done 8 sectors in F this past year in total, and got bags at my seat in 4 of them. Of the four that didn't have them I asked and got them on 2. The other 2 I didn't ask and wasn't offered.

I did 4 sectors in First last year and had bags at the seat in 3/4 if I recall correctly.

So you didn’t have to ask 50% of the time this year, and of the remaining times you got a bag every time you asked? And that’s hit and miss? Lol. Standards are high.

Anyway, I believe EK SOPs vary by time of flight and length of flight. Of my couple dozen sectors in F this year I’ve been offered bags or had bags at my seat the majority of times, probably because my typical flights are overnight and on the longer side (7+ hours). Every instance that wasn’t the case I asked and got one, and that’s fine by me.

The definition of hit and miss.

😂

i’ll have to defer to NYC1’s original question because I’m very confused. The bags were either at your seat or available when you asked. Where is the miss?

The facts are now clear(er) and I think most would not view this as EK first "amenity bags are still hit and miss" -- a broad statement that conveys a past and current recurring scenario where EK does not have amenity bags to be provided on a flight. You described situations where EK did not proactively provided the bag AND you did not ask for one.

Should EK provide bags proactively in F? Sure. If they don't, is that "amenity bags are hit and miss"? No.

Now, if you asked for a bag and the answer was "we don't have any" then that's a very different story but I doubt that would have been the case. I have never heard that on EK.

Amenity Kits are always available in F and now a days mostly offered pro actively and if not you will always receive one. Of course only on the flights 4 / 5 hours + that have the long haul offering including PJ, bedding etc loaded. Even in C class you receive again pro actively on europe day flights amenity kits, before this was only on night flights or longer flights 8 / 9 hours +

Reference the kits. Out of 24 sectors in the last 9 months I think I had to ask for one only twice. Really hope the Bvlgari is kept. Always just ask if they are not in your suite and the crew will get them.

I was told the new PJs started Dec 1. Initially on the LHR and LAX (I think). They are as well as a lot thinner also a lot larger size for size. I quite liked them.

Old Pjs on EK 409 MEL-DXB today.

Had the new PJs JFK-MXP the other day. Is it just me or do they seem to run bigger than the old style?
I was a medium in the old style, but medium in the new ones was huge on me.

Agreed re the packet placement on the top. Almost seems like a hoodie but I don’t understand the odd neck part

They feel bigger to me too. I preferred the old ones. Glad I have a stockpile of old ones at home that will last me a very good while. Gave the missus a smug look after years of her asking me why I keep them. It’s the small things.

It sounds very much like the J ones you get on flights >9 hours these days. Thinner material, larges sizes (the J version only comes in two variants) and a somewhat strange neck (almost a hoodie but not quite). Not sure yet when my next F flight will be: with the late DXB/CPT rotation (EK770/771) now being operated by a 4 class frame, the urge to splash the extra amount is less. Maybe March or otherwise only Sept when I might want to take the earlier flight.
I too have still some old but unused F PJ’s ‘in stock’ even in the old ‘sleeve’ packaging. My missus reaction is similar to yours….