I tend to only review business class and first class kits, but Turkish Airlines provides its premium economy “Comfort Class†passengers a substantial offering worthy of a detailed inspection, and I offer my critique below in this installment of Amenity Kit Reviews. Also, a special thanks goes out to Inflight Feed for sending this kit my way. For a better description of each category and the 7-point scale for scoring, please review my introductory post.
Turkish Airlines' Comfort Class Amenity Kit
Bag/Container: Formia manufactured this brown/beige zipper bag that features a single interior compartment, along with a separate zippered side pouch exteriorly lined with a suede-like treatment. A dual-sided Turkish Airlines logo tag compliments the case. Reusability in my mind is just average given its overall smallish size, but for a premium economy amenity it certainly impresses. For that reason alone, I’ve scored it a half-point higher from where I’d rank it if it were a business class kit. Score: 5.5 out of 7
Turkish Airlines' Comfort Class Amenity Bag Designed by Formia
Skin Care: Turkish partnered with Bogner to provide the lip balm and body lotion for this kit. The lip balm is effective and nearly “tasteless,†though I do detect a hint of almond. And the slightly masculine-smelling body lotion is gel-like, but absorbs fairly rapidly and is less greasy than the Crabtree & Evelyn Jojoba Oil hand cream found in Turkish’s business class kit. Score: 4 out of 7
Oral Care: The same medium-bristled plastic toothbrush with case as in the business class kit appears again here, though the Colgate toothpaste (regular flavor) got a downgrade in size for premium economy passengers – it’s a teeny tiny tube. In any event, they’re basic airline-issue oral care items for an amenity kit and get the job done. Score: 4 out of 7
Comfort Items: Identical to the business class kit are standard one-size-fits-all elastic eyeshades and socks with rubber grippers on the base (which I like as they reduce slippage on cabin carpeting). I found “Do not disturb†and “wake me for meal†stickers inside the side pouch after taking the pictures above. Other items include a folding comb/brush, shoehorn and deformed earplugs (they never regained a normal shape after “breathing†for a while) with an accompanying plastic case. As this is a premium economy kit, Turkish absolutely excels here even though these are the same items found in their business class offering. Score: 6 out of 7
Intangibles: This amenity kit beats a lot of business class kits that I’ve reviewed, and it’s definitely a unique and elite offering to provide premium economy passengers. It truly sets Turkish apart from other airlines. Score: 7 out of 7
Total score & comments:
From the impressive case to the significant amount of comfort items, Turkish Airlines sets the bar for premium economy amenities with its Comfort Class kit. Final score: 5.03 out of 7.00.
– Follow Darren Booth on Twitter, @FrequentlyFlyin, for more airline, hotel and travel industry news, reviews and opinions.
Read more:
Amenity Kit Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class – Tablet Case
Not much different from their amenity kits offered in coach (color of the pouch is beige with the same items inside)
@PAB: Interesting… I didn’t know they provided one in standard economy. Good to know, thanks!
They do! On both day/night flights.
Although what they give out is not consistent. If you are interested, I can post/email you a picture of the 3 different kits i have received recently
@PAB: Another reader will be sending me the economy kit after having read this post and your initial comment. If you have the time, however, I’d love to see a pic of the three different kits you received.
While unusual to any ‘kit’ for the back and class, something is better than nothing – I guess. As SLC, I’d trade the shoehorn (unit cost about $0.03?) for a one-swish container of mouthwash (unit cost about $0.06?), but that might break their budget. The most costly item in the lot, by far, seems to be the ho-hum bag itself. Frankly, I think it is a waste for those of us that sometimes fly in the arse end; when we do, we are generally well prepared with our own, specialized ‘kit’ of essentials. If Turkish wished to do their Economy Plus pax a favor, they’d make bottled water easier to find and even push it. Just my two cents…
@Cook: I wonder if anyone actually uses the shoehorn (I never do!). And yes, I’d much rather see a swish of mouthwash in EVERY amenity kit. I travel with my own makeshift kit (as it sounds like you do) and never use the ones I collect onboard. But for the non-prepared, they are certainly a handy and welcome amenity.