Supreet Kaur
03-Sep-2026
From the cabin to your home, airlines are finding new ways to stay with travellers long after they land.
The evolving dream of flying has come a long way. Starting with the first-ever hot air balloon in France, moving to the idea of fixed-wing aircraft in 1799, then to gliders, and finally to the first successful powered aeroplane in the early 20th century, people turned the dream of flight into reality. As time evolved, so did people's dreams and expectations. People began thinking beyond simply flying through the air, and today, airlines have surpassed those expectations with unique experiences both inside and outside the aircraft, making sure you can travel with ease.
Think of it like this: a travel experience and a goodie, how does that sound? Interesting, right? Airlines are no longer just about offering comfortable travel; they also have some of the coolest things to offer their customers while they travel with them, many of which you can take back home. They make sure you remember them even after the trip, bringing you things that are sometimes cute to keep and sometimes practical to use. Check it out:
1. Air India
Validation is human nature, and this airline is validating our first trip with them through certificates. Air India’s First Flight Certificates come under its Cloud Chasers programme, which is focused on kids. The programme includes activity kits, kids’ entertainment and games, and a child-oriented version of the Maharaja mascot, all designed for children travelling with them, along with the First Flight Certificate for those travelling with Air India for the first time.
2. Indigo
As the name suggests, IndiGo is rooted in the history and heritage of India. They stand by their name by offering the IndiGoStretch jacquard overlay to their Business Class passengers, which they can take back home, accompanied by a booklet and a custom-designed reusable fabric bag that embodies the airline’s philosophy of warmth, functionality, and understated style. They also won the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Award 2026 for their onboard hospitality.
3. Virgin atlantic
(Image credits - Virgin Atlantic Instagram)
First introduced in 2002 as Wilbur and Orville, Virgin Atlantic serves the salt-and-pepper plane-shaped shakers on its meal trays. However, they were too fascinating to be ignored, and people started taking them. Observing this behaviour among its customers, the airline decided to embrace it by turning them into collectibles with the tagline “Pinched from Virgin Atlantic.” Later, in 2017, they introduced limited editions for the festive season, which further increased the hype among customers.
4. Lufthansa
Lufthansa always stands out when it comes to its customers' experiences. They started this routine in 1959 and continue to date. From games and typewriters to their upcycling collection in 2019, they do it all. Their latest launch was a rubber duck in 2024, inspired by the 2004 Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, featuring a shower suite with the little thought of keeping a plastic duck aside. That gained so much popularity, as they say, little things matter more. That's what happened here, and the pearl-white rubber duck with a golden beak was unveiled.
5. KLM
(Image credits - KLM )
KLM, the Royal Dutch airline, introduces its KLM Houses, which are Delft Blue miniature houses. Every year, they introduce a new house to celebrate their founding. This year, it was KLM’s 106th birthday, and they launched Villa Rameau because of its rich history in America.
6. Cathay
Offering a nostalgic tribute to the early days, Cathay introduced retro cameras that highlight moments throughout Cathay’s eight-decade history. They have more than eight options of classic cameras available on their website, along with a variety of tote bags and designer pin sets.
7. SWISS
SWISS is not just taking its passengers safely to their destinations but is also trying to ensure a safer future for the upcoming generation by introducing its pilot programme, the first-ever aircraft upcycling endeavour, where they recycle old aircraft parts and training materials and use them to create new items. This allows the components to be reused in innovative ways. Through this initiative, they launched a collection called the SWISS Recraft Collection, created to honour the historic character of the iconic Airbus A321.
8. Etihad
(Image credits - Etihad)
By paying for a ticket, you not only get a comfortable stay, where they offer Giorgio Armani loungewear and slippers to their First Class passengers and Etihad-branded loungewear for their Business Class passengers travelling on a nine hour long flight, which you can definitely take home, but they also give you reward points called miles. On collecting them, you can actually buy products from their e-mart or stores. So, a ticket gets you a comfortable stay, a loungewear set and so many gifts of your own choice.
9. Emirates
Emirates understands the sports craze, and for that, they brought the Emirates Signature Series collection of signed football jerseys from some of its most storied club partnerships, including Real Madrid, AC Milan and Arsenal. Each jersey is elegantly presented in a custom-designed box and accompanied by both a certificate of authenticity and a security hologram. Moreover, they also understand evolving technology, and for that, they offer the Hydra Active moisturising PJs to their First Class passengers, made with microcapsule fabric that releases moisturising ingredients as you move. You can also take them home, rewash and reuse them.
Cover Credits: Unsplash
