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How Delta amenity kits changed across the decades, from shoehorns to spa-grade toiletries

How Delta amenity kits changed across the decades, from shoehorns to spa-grade toiletries

Independent7 days ago
The golden age of air travel is long gone, but the business-class amenity kit is one luxury introduced in that era between the 50s and 70s that is still with us.
Delta introduced it in 1978, at the tail end of the period, and has been keeping a photographic record of its evolution.
The fascinating pictures serve as time capsules that offer insights into aircraft etiquette of the day and reveal how amenity kits went from being merely practical to designer collectibles.
First, we step back in time, to an age long before AI pricing and online check-ins, when according to the amenity kits, fuzz-free clothing and being able to remove one's shoes with ease were the priorities for wealthy fliers.
1978
Delta's first amenity kits arrived in 1978, when the carrier was using Boeing 747s and Lockheed TriStars for long-haul travel.
One of the kits featured a white bag, Pepsodent toothpaste, a comb, hand lotion, a hand towel, and a large nail file.
Yes, doing your nails mid-flight was a top priority.
Another brown and beige offering featured Michaud shaving cream and hand and body lotion, along with a razor and eye mask.
Milestones for the carrier in the 70s included the introduction of the first transatlantic service from Atlanta to London, and audio in-flight entertainment.
1985
Notable inclusions of the 1985 amenity kit were a lint mitt for removing clothing fluff and dust and a shoehorn.
Bizarre? Not really, this was, after all, a time when people would don formal attire to fly business class, a concept alien to today's tracksuit-wearing one-percenters.
The goody bag also contained a toothbrush kit, shave cream, mouthwash and moisturizing lotion, along with a comb and a nail file.
By this time, Delta had introduced computer-generated boarding and automated advance seat selection.
1987
This picture shows a 1987 amenity kit, which includes a pair of blue Delta slippers, with the rest of the kit unchanged.
In this year, Western Airlines merged with Delta, making it the fourth-largest US carrier and the fifth-largest world carrier, with new hubs in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
It was also the year that Delta began trans-Pacific services to Tokyo.
1995
In 1995, the amenity kit took a step up, with Delta partnering with Essentiel Elements, known for its spa-grade toiletries.
The kit included an aromatherapy towelette by the firm, along with a 'disc case' for CDs (remember those?), and Rembrandt toothpaste and mouth rinse.
By that time, Delta had purchased Pan Am and introduced onboard recycling.
And in 1995, Delta introduced the airline industry's first seasonal menus and became the first US airline to ban smoking on all flights worldwide.
1996
In 1996, Delta's business-class customers were treated to an enticing bundle, with Essential Elements lotions and potions still in place.
In that year, a Delta plane carried the Olympic flame from Athens to Los Angeles for the 1996 Torch Relay to Atlanta.
Watershed moments, meanwhile, were customers being able to make reservations and purchase tickets via Delta's website, SkyLinks, and Delta becoming the first airline to offer in-seat power and live broadcast television programming.
2001
This tin of delights, which included L'Occitane creams, arrived in 2001.
This year also saw Delta install self-service airport kiosks, allowing customers to check-in and print boarding passes.
2006
The year 2006 saw the introduction of a vibrant red amenity kit with Lather products and playful inscriptions, such as "do not disturb, save me a snack" on a privacy notice.
And in 2006 Delta became the first major airline with in-seat, on-demand movies, games and live TV on a large portion of its domestic fleet.
Another first was the introduction of Delta flights to southern Africa, with a service to Johannesburg via Dakar, Senegal, launched.
2007
Lather products also featured in the blue and red 2007 amenity kit.
The look of the airline changed in this year, with the carrier adopting a new three-dimensional red widget logo and livery.
And an open skies agreement between the US and the European Union paved the way for services to Heathrow, which would launch the following year.
New for 2025
Delta is rolling out "collectible" new amenity kits by Missoni in the fall "designed to reflect the colors of the sky".
These will come in blue and cream and include "crew-length" socks; a breathable eye mask; an "upgraded" pen featuring "metal accents and Delta One branding"; Grown Alchemist skincare products in "elevated aluminum tubes"; a bamboo toothbrush; Marvis toothpaste; and earplugs.
Delta is also launching a new bedding set by Missoni.
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Ultimate Washington road trip: How a holiday to the capital region helped LEE BOYCE truly grasp US history and culture
Ultimate Washington road trip: How a holiday to the capital region helped LEE BOYCE truly grasp US history and culture

Daily Mail​

time39 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Ultimate Washington road trip: How a holiday to the capital region helped LEE BOYCE truly grasp US history and culture

In a day and half of my stay in Washington DC I saw so many historic and cultural artifacts in museums that it's hard to compute the shear vastness of it. The US does most things big and brash, and in the capital, museums are no different - but are delightfully free and navigable by foot, housed in architecturally impressive buildings. And on foot, you'll see the likes of the Capitol Building, White House and Washington Monument all baked in, so your sightseeing bucket list can receive a tick every 10 minutes. It was recently claimed UK travellers to the US was on the wane - but new reports now suggest it is strong as ever. Part of that is likely to be down to a strengthened pound against the dollar, making it a good - and crucially, cheaper - time to visit. But I wouldn't necessarily have Washington down as a must see US spot for Britons, like London is for Americans. I think we're more likely to head to New York, Florida, Boston, Las Vegas or Los Angeles, than America's capital. 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He was the man who suggested the music for the Star-Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key was his brother-in-law. Washington's crib: Mount Vernon houses George Washington's tomb - and is perfect for another afternoon of fun peppered in with history Virginia's scenic historic beauty At first glance in Virginia, I felt like I'd be transported to Beverly Hills. Every few seconds there were gasps from the tour bus, as we admired multi-million dollar homes from afar, surrounded by lush greenery. On our way to Mount Vernon, we stopped at Great Falls Park. The perfect spot for Instagram-worthy photographs, it is part of the Potomac River that flows through to Washington. George Washington surveyed the area in the 1750s and recognised the potential of the Potomac River as a transportation route - and later he helped fund canals to help bypass these falls. And onto Washington. 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Kamala Harris' former advisor left flustered after being asked simple question about economy
Kamala Harris' former advisor left flustered after being asked simple question about economy

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Kamala Harris' former advisor left flustered after being asked simple question about economy

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US man arrested for allegedly using dating apps to scam matches out of $2m
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US man arrested for allegedly using dating apps to scam matches out of $2m

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