Fiji Airways Implements New Sustainability Measures by Eliminating Amenity Kits in Business Class, Get the Details Here

Published on September 23, 2025

As part of its sustainability drive, Fiji Airways, together with all other companies in Fiji business, has replaced traditional business class amenity kits with re-usable individually wrapped trays stocked with essential items for each passenger. This policy has also been adopted by Fiji’s flagship carrier and announced by management of Fiji Airways as a decision ‘bending towards practicality, environmental conservation and customer satisfaction’.

Fiji Airways fully understands that its unconventional policy regarding business class amenities will be viewed with reproach by the traveling public. However, the new policy and amenity kit system will improve Fiji Airways’ profitability by reinforcing controlled use of these resources and minimizing waste.

Why Fiji Airways Made the Change: A Focus on Waste Reduction

The decision to eliminate amenity kits comes after careful observation by the airline’s management team. Outgoing CEO Andre Viljoen explained that, over time, it became apparent that many passengers either left their amenity kits unopened or used only a small portion of the items included. This resulted in unnecessary waste, both in terms of products and the environmental impact of disposable packaging.

The airline had been seeking ways to maintain a high level of service while reducing its carbon footprint and minimizing waste. The move to a tray-based distribution system for business class essentials is a more efficient way to provide passengers with the items they need without contributing to unnecessary landfill. Items such as moisturizers, eye shades, socks, and lip balm will now be offered individually, allowing travelers to choose only what they desire.

Fiji Airways believes this move aligns with its sustainability goals, while also optimizing the way it spends resources. Instead of spending on large pre-packed kits, the airline can redirect that funding into other areas of the travel experience, such as better food, comfort, or in-flight entertainment options. This change reflects a broader trend in the airline industry to reassess what truly enhances the customer experience, with an emphasis on quality over quantity.

Balancing Expectations with Sustainability: Redefining Luxury

For years, amenity kits have been seen as a staple of premium travel, especially in business class. Airlines around the world often collaborate with luxury brands to offer stylish, branded kits, which serve as both practical items and subtle reminders of the airline’s brand. These kits are often designed to impress, with many passengers keeping them as souvenirs from their journey.

However, the reality is that many of these kits are discarded after the flight, contributing to the growing environmental concerns surrounding waste in the aviation industry. Fiji Airways has decided to challenge the status quo by rethinking how luxury can be defined. Instead of offering pre-packed kits, which may not be fully utilized, the airline is focusing on a more tailored, sustainable approach that prioritizes efficiency and practicality.

For Fiji Airways, luxury is no longer just about providing branded extras; it’s about offering passengers a thoughtful, sustainable service that reflects a modern definition of comfort. By providing passengers with the ability to choose exactly what they need, the airline is making the business class experience more personalized while reducing its environmental footprint.

How Passengers Are Reacting to the Change

While the change to amenity kit distribution is a bold move towards sustainability, it’s clear that not all passengers are happy with the adjustment. Business class travelers often expect a certain level of service, and amenity kits have become part of that expectation. For some, the kits represent the luxury and convenience that come with flying in a premium cabin.

For passengers who collect amenity kits or enjoy the convenience of having a ready-made set of travel essentials, this shift may be seen as a downgrade. The kits, often filled with products like high-quality lotions, toothbrushes, and earplugs, have been a signature offering for many airlines seeking to elevate the business class experience.

However, for frequent flyers and sustainability-conscious travelers, the move may be welcomed as a step in the right direction. As the global focus on reducing waste intensifies, many passengers are beginning to appreciate efforts to decrease environmental impact, even if it means altering long-standing traditions in air travel. For those who value sustainability, this change demonstrates that Fiji Airways is taking a proactive approach in reducing its ecological footprint.

Comparing Fiji Airways to Other Premium Airlines

Fiji Airways’ decision to remove amenity kits in favor of a more sustainable, flexible distribution system sets it apart from other island-based carriers like Air Tahiti Nui, Air Mauritius, and Air Seychelles. Many of these airlines still offer traditional amenity kits to business class passengers, often branded in collaboration with luxury designers or high-end beauty brands. This approach appeals to passengers who enjoy receiving high-end items as part of their in-flight experience, positioning these carriers as aspirational brands in the competitive world of international air travel.

While other airlines continue to invest in luxury kits as part of their business class offering, Fiji Airways is opting to prioritize operational efficiency and sustainability over unnecessary indulgence. The shift may appeal to passengers who value a more pragmatic approach to luxury—where comfort and sustainability go hand in hand.

The Future of Premium Travel: Sustainability in the Spotlight

The airline industry is increasingly under pressure to improve its environmental practices, with sustainability becoming an integral part of the travel experience. Fiji Airways’ decision to remove amenity kits from business class is a reflection of a broader movement towards responsible travel, where sustainability and customer service are balanced to deliver a more thoughtful experience.

As travelers become more environmentally conscious, airlines will continue to innovate and find ways to reduce waste without sacrificing quality. While Fiji Airways is one of the first to take such a step, it’s likely that other carriers may follow suit, adopting similar practices in their own pursuit of sustainability.

This change, while initially surprising to some, could be the start of a wider industry shift. The future of premium travel may no longer be about offering an abundance of luxury products but about providing high-quality, personalized services with a focus on reducing environmental impact. As more airlines consider their role in the climate crisis, expect to see more sustainable changes in business class offerings around the world.

A Smart, Sustainable Shift for Fiji Airways

The removal of amenity kits from business class by Fiji Airways does not come without some criticism. While it is indeed forward thinking and environmentally conscious, it is also a move that does away with the traditional luxuries associated with business class air travel. Rather than eliminating these kits as a means of self-imposing excess flexible, waste-reducing business processes, the airline offers an example of the economic, and more importantly, the psychological, waste of excess amenity kits impacts. Forward still offers amenity kits, but they do not charge, which is a more socially conscious policy and mitigates the psychological waste that impacts all of us.

For the greater good, avoid garish waste, the guidelines for the kits provided do seem to emphasize that sustainability still supports comfort, sense, and modern safety parameters of the traveler. Indeed the fact that Fiji Airways is willing to move the mile not to do so, and not lightly, is commendable. This is also flexible and conscious of the most informs the airline, and aligns with the business strategies of all of us.