When I was a kid I’d fly and I’d always get wing pins from the airline. If I was bored I’d ask for a deck of cards. I still have several of the decks I received on flights when I was young. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to bring a deck with me, but the airline always had one to give. That era’s over… or is it?
Learning that Cathay Pacific and a few other airlines offer free diapers on board made me wonder, is the era of extra amenities on request really over and are there things we should be asking for, on a “secret menu” if you will that you have to be ‘in the know’ to request?
I asked American, Delta, and United about amenities they stock on planes and learned that wing pins are still a thing.
Delta pilots and flight attendants “may choose to distribute “wing pins” and fleet cards (information sheets with details on the aircraft) to customers. Availability may vary from flight to flight.” United also has wing pins available.
According to American “Aspirin and Acetaminophen are located in the Flight Attendant Service Kit and may be distributed upon customer request. There are also children’s wings, Junior Aviator Log books and 1st Flight Certificates.” United tells me that they have aspirin that can be provided by a flight attendant upon request as well.
I learned — had not realized — that Delta offers coach passengers eye shades and ear plugs (not just blankets) for international.
So even in the era of basic economy, with so much cut from air travel, there are still free things on board. You may just have to ask for some of them. Sadly American, Delta, and United no longer have playing cards.
At least as of two years ago, jetBlue offered eye shades and earplugs at every seat on their redeye transcon service.
Some of the non-US airlines continue to offer amenities. ANA offers postcards and pens for instance. Swiss offers kids a stuffed plane, and if you ask nicely, to adults too.
AS does not provide any medication. Was surprised to learn that when I asked if they had aspirin or another pain reliever, was told they are legally not allowed to pass out medication. I was passenger in F and did not expect this answer.
There really was something cool about getting playing card. Really a bygone era with phones, etc., but I really loved getting those and the wings as a kid!
Many years ago (early 1980s), Delta used to have these very small plastic model L-1011s that they’d hand out on L-10 flights (small enough to fit into a kids hand). Used to do a few trips a year from LGA to MGM connecting through ATL and LGA to ATL was often an L-10. Of course, I don’t have any of them anymore, but would love to find one on eBay. So far, no luck.
The last time I flew on ANA (in first) when I asked for some postcards I was also given a deck of playing cards, a keychain and an inflatable toy plane.
I used to love the decks of cards. Those and the wings went with the “specialness” of flying, back when I flew once every 4 years, not 6+ tims per year LOL.
Anyway, Delta was giving these out for the asking a year or so ago. Not sure if they still do.
https://yourmileagemayvary.net/2018/03/30/delta-airlines-is-giving-these-out-i-love-them-for-it/
@Pat – 2 weeks ago, I flew AS in F with a cold, and the flight attendant offered me aspirin (“All I have is aspirin, but let me know if you need it”). I’m not sure if it was their own personal stash, but I was definitely offered aspirin.
When my kids were younger, I used to ask flight attendants if they had wings. I quickly got United, Continental, JetBlue and a few others. Around 10 years ago, I asked an American flight attendant if they had any and got “Oh honey, I think only airlines that make money give those out.”
Post cards were commonly found in the seat pocket; writing kits were available on request and included aerogrammes ( those light weight thin blue paper letters). Haven’t received or sent one for 20 years but they used to be very common/popular.
EVA keeps toothbrushes and earplugs in their lavs… China Airlines gave me a deck of cards…so fly to Asia on one of these…
…And when our railroads operated their own fleet of elegant trains, their first class lounge cars actually had a writing table, with beautiful colored postcards, as well with that train’s name embossed on stationery and envelopes. Other souvenirs included colorful menus for every meal, cocktail coasters, stirrers, and napkins. Advertising posters were works of art imploring the railroad’s brand, e.g., “Santa Fe, All the Way.” Too bad the heavy gauge Syracuse china and silverware were so difficult to secret out of the diner…
I flew United economy between Guam and Japan. I asked for eye shades and ear plugs so I can sleep better. The FA said they are not available for economy passengers!
Last year on a BA flight to Mauritius from JNB, there was an open box of BA playing cards near the coach lav and I grabbed a couple packs for friends and family. That was the first time I had seen playing cards on an airplane since my childhood. This flight is flown by Comair, which operates as BA in southern Africa. I doubt that “regular BA” distributes playing cards, but next time I fly them, I’ll ask.
Icelandair gives kids a whole bag of stuff, including an activity book, a paper plane, and a cool matching card game — I was impressed
@ Pat: years ago when I was a restaurant manager, we also were not supposed to dispense aspirin. Liability issues, IIRC.
Kids can get a free item on ANA and EVA flights from the FA.
Echoing Pat and Andi here: aspirins may be stocked, but I’d be shocked if FAs were handing these out to passengers. The legal liabilities are too high.