I had three flights home from Mykonos, Greece all in one day. It was a long day, but it only cost 30,000 United Airlines’ Mileage Plus Miles plus approximately $100 in taxes. Yes, I flew in coach. The first two flights were on Germanwings, a Lufthansa carrier, and the third was on United Airlines. What motivated me to accept this routing, was that the Germanwings flight flew directly from Mykonos to Cologne, without the need to position to and/or change flights in Athens.
The first two flights were on A319s – from Mykonos (JMK) to Cologne (CGN), and Cologne (CGN) to London Heathrow (LHR). We thought the timing would be good and we’d have 3 hours to hang out at Heathrow, but that was not to be the case, as we had an annoying 2 hour delay in Cologne when there was some sort of a luggage mishap and the airline pulled all of the checked suitcases out of the plane and went through the luggage one item at a time. (thankfully, we did not check our luggage!)
The United Airlines flight, from LHR to Newark (EWR) actually wasn’t terrible. The food was edible and the entertainment system worked (I watched Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, which I liked, and Lobster, which was extremely weird and disturbing).
As the plane was heading to the runway, I noticed this British Airways Concorde Jet!
We were first served this snack, and I was very happy that the wine and beer were complimentary.
Dinner is apparently no longer a choice of beef or chicken, but instead a choice of vegetarian, vegan or chicken. I chose the chicken and it was pretty good. If anything, the food on the flight was a bit heavy on the starches.
For dessert, we had toffee ice cream sundaes! Yum!
Before landing we were served one of those typical melted cheese and turkey bread things with an emphasis on the bread. I only had a bite or two.
Landing at Newark, we were treated to a spectacular sunset.
Although I was not seated in business class, the flight attendant was kind enough to give me an amenity kit from business class, so I could share it on the blog and give one away.
This amenity kit is a special Olympics special limited edition kit – as United is a sponsor of Team USA. According to United’s website:
To celebrate 35 years of flying Team USA all over the world, our new amenity kits celebrate the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The unique, collectable aircraft fuselage tins feature Team USA-inspired colors and designs, and contain themed socks and eye masks.
The metal kit designed to look like an aircraft fuselage:
The contents are pretty neat. The eye mask says TEAM USA and is a special design:
And here are the socks:
Toiletries by Cowshed (I admit I had not heard of Cowshed previously, but apparently it is a well-known toiletry company).
The kit contains the other usual assortment of items – a comb, a toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
GIVEAWAY:
I have one of these Team USA Collectors’ Edition amenity kits to giveaway.
To enter, please comment below about your favorite amenity or amenity kit from a flight.
For additional entries, you may:
(1) Tweet about this giveaway (with a link to this post) and a mention of Will Run For Mile’s Twitter Account,
(2) Like Will Run For Miles on Facebook, and comment on this post there, and/or
(3) follow on Instagram.
You may enter in each of these ways, once per day. This contest will end Saturday, July 16th at 9 p.m. EST, and a winner will be chosen at random. Only USA entrants please.
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Debra says
My favorite items from an amenity kit is the socks and mouthwash. Neither of these are a big deal but they make flying more pleasant.
Rob says
Seeing as I have only flown “steerage” I have only heard about these magical amenity kits. Perhaps someday I will see what they are in person! Sigh…
Kiwii says
My favorite amenity kit was the leather united Airlines ones from last year. I use it for my toiletries and it is awesome for travel!
Phoenix says
I don’t use amenity kits much, since I rarely fly business let alone first, but I will say moisturizer comes in handy on a long flight.
That kit, however is very nice, and I hope to win it! Thanks!
JRG says
I actually like the socks. I save them for the next flight. In many coach bathrooms, you have terrible paper towels – when trying to clean up, just take one of the amenity socks and use it like a washcloth. Then throw it away.
Fresh as a daisy! Almost…..
Brad says
I’ve only ever had one kit given to me but it was in Business class of a 747 on the way back from Australia. Bumped me up because I won the trip from Quantas. I slept in one of those fancy pods.
I think I still have the chap stick 12 years later, LOL
Brad says
I’ve only ever had one kit given to me but it was in Business class of a 747 on the way back from Australia. Bumped me up because I won the trip from Quantas. I slept in one of those fancy pods.
I think I still have the chap stick 12 years later, LOL
Joe C. says
As long as I have an eye mask, I’m good to go, everything else is second.
A team USA one would be great!
Silver Springer says
My favorite part of the amenity kit is the container as I reuse it to hold cords for electronics or adapters. Thanks!
Michelle B. says
I feel like a loser here but I haven’t flown much in years and have never flown anything but economy so I have never received one of these cool amenity kits. Honestly I had never heard of them….. But now I’m jealous, lol.
dot cahill says
Looks like a great souvenir!!
Ang says
My favorite is my Tumi from JAL. It’s really sturdy and made well. I actually use it a lot and bring it with me when I travel.
Cheryl says
My favority amenity kit is an Agnes B one from LAN. Not only was it the first kit I collected it ‘Agnes B’ was my grandmother’s name (and last name initial) so it reminds me of her. Not much to do with the amenity as much as the sentiment. 🙂
Will Run For Miles says
sorry Cheryl, but the deadline for this giveaway was last night. Nevertheless I enjoyed hearing your memories. I used to love Agnes B. cool French company.