Part of flying first or business class is the bragging rights you get just sitting up front…and enjoying meals created by celebrity chefs, beauty products from famous fashion brands, and snuggling up on a lie-flat bed under designer sheets, of course.
But airlines know that souvenirs can be a big part of the travel experience, not to mention handy tools for engendering brand loyalty. That’s why several international airlines offer their premium passengers and elites unique items to remember their flights by. Here are some of the coolest, cutest pieces of airline swag, and how you can score them on your next flight.
KLM Delft Houses
The national airlines of the Netherlands decided to create its first miniature Delft Blue House as a souvenir for passengers to take home with them in 1952. Every few years, the airline would come out with another batch of the adorable ceramic houses. Each model was based on an actual historical building from around the Netherlands (and one found on Curaçao) with a few unnumbered special editions thrown in, such as the Royal Palace in Amsterdam and the Hall of Knights in The Hague. The airline started filling them with Bols Genever in the 1980s (before that they contained a liqueur or gin). In 1994, the airline decided to produce 15 new houses at once for its 75th anniversary, and since then it has released a new house every year to commemorate each anniversary. With the airline’s centennial approaching, frequent fliers are eagerly awaiting the 100th edition. The only thing you have to do to snag one is fly the airline’s international World Business Class. Flight attendants hand them out toward the end of the flight. And don’t worry – if they don’t have one you like, you can always take one anyway and then exchange it at a dedicated desk in the airline’s flagship lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol.
Virgin Atlantic Salt and Pepper Shakers
Back in 2011, Virgin Atlantic’s chief accountant was complaining to founder Richard Branson that Upper Class passengers were stealing the airline’s salt and pepper shakers, costing the airline $3 million per year! Who could blame them? Cheekily named Wilbur and Orville, they are very cute little chrome propeller planes. Rather than removing them from meal service altogether as the accountant suggested, though, Branson piloted the airline in another direction. He had the phrase “Pinched from Virgin Atlantic” engraved across their bottoms…and built an entire social media campaign around them. You can’t buy marketing goodwill like that, though apparently you can steal it. Now, nicking your salt and pepper pots is practically de rigueur when flying up front on the airline.
American Airlines Concierge Key Tags
American Airlines’ Concierge Key is an invitation-only elite-status program for high-profile passengers and those who spend a lot with the airline. American does not release figures, but most estimates put this number at around $75,000 per year. Its benefits include personal assistants to help with check-in and security at the airline’s hubs, Admirals Club membership, access to the airline’s swanky Flagship Lounges, and high upgrade priority, among other perks. Concierge Key members are also gifted special items each year, with recent reports showing off bespoke luggage tags created out of metal repurposed from one of the airline’s decommissioned MD-80s, the last of which was retired earlier this month. Now that’s a piece of airline history you know no one else will be able to get their hands on.
Lufthansa Rubber Duckies
While Lufthansa is generally known for impeccable operations and some of the best first-class service in the world, the airline also has a quirky edge. Back in 2004, when it was preparing to open its uber-luxe First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport, complete with spa-style bathrooms, the airline decided to place Lufthansa-branded rubber duckies on the side of every tub. It was a way of infusing some fun back into the travel experience. Since then, the airline has created special edition ducks for the World Cups in 2006 and 2010, as well as for the opening of a new spa in the lounge in 2009. There have also been special Christmas and Wedding ducks. There’s even a gallery of all the little quackers. Not flying Lufthansa first class yourself? You can always check eBay since many end up for sale on there.
Finnair Platinum Lumo TUMI Bags
There’s elite status, and then there’s super-elite status. Finnair’s recently introduced Platinum Lumo level is the latter. In order to achieve it, you must earn 450,000 tier points in a year, 350,000 of which must be earned on Finnair flights. Alternatively, you could travel on 150 Oneworld airline flights, at least 100 of which must be on Finnair, again, all in a year. If you manage that, though, you might just find a gorgeous new TUMI V3 carry-on case show up on your doorstep as a thank-you bonus. Sure, you could just buy one for around $400-$700 normally, but it wouldn’t have the Finnair branding that marks you out as one of the airline’s top fliers.
Korean Air Luggage Tags
Flying Korean Air first class sometime soon? If so, be sure you budget time to stop by the airline’s KAL First Class Lounge at Seoul Incheon. Not only can you peruse the buffet, catch up on work, and hang out in a relaxation pod, but you can also take advantage of a special service the airline offers its first-class guests. You can request a personalized gold-hued metal luggage tag with an Airbus A380 emblazoned on one side, and your name and Korean Air Skypass number on the bag. Not only are they stylish, but they’ll let everyone in the airport know that you’re flying first class as you wheel your bag on by.
