Here’s a policy that many people don’t realize exists, so I figure it’s worth covering, minor as it may be…
The amenities airlines usually do & don’t let you take home
When you travel in first or business class, it’s common to be offered all kinds of amenities. I know there’s sometimes confusion about which of the amenities are for onboard use, and which can be taken home.
As a general rule of thumb, bedding and headphones have to stay on the plane, while amenity kits and pajamas can be taken off the plane. That’s logical enough, because amenity kits and pajamas wouldn’t be reused between passengers, while bedding and headphones absolutely are.
What’s interesting is that airlines typically don’t specifically announce what can and can’t be taken, as they just assume people know. I’ve certainly seen some people cram all the bedding into their bags while deplaning, and I’m sure they get away with it. I’ve also seen someone ask a flight attendant if they can take the headphones with them (and politely being told no).
The one airline that lets you take pillows home
As far as I know, there’s one airline that lets certain passengers take specific pillows off the plane with them. If you’re flying Qatar Airways business class, you’ll typically find that the bedding includes at least two sets of pillows, and one of those pillows has a quote on it.
That pillow with a quote can be taken off the plane, as a memory and gift. It’s odd, because the airline doesn’t publicly promote this, but it is the official policy (at least last I heard), and if you ask a crew member, they’ll tell you that you can take them. In the interest of being thorough, let me mention that the other pillow and the blanket can’t be taken.
Now, I’m sort of convinced that they make the quotes on the pillows so cringe that you don’t actually want to take them with you, but that’s a different story. 😉 It’s funny, because I find Qatar Airways to be such an elegant airline, yet these pillows have strong “Live, Laugh, Love” vibes. I dunno, if you have a tween or teen daughter, maybe it makes for a good gift?
Anyway, if you find yourself flying Qatar Airways business class and want an extra pillow, now you know…
Bottom line
Qatar Airways is the only airline I know of that lets passengers take some of the bedding with them. Specifically, the pillow with the quote can be taken off the plane, in what’s certainly an unconventional policy. The other bedding isn’t supposed to be removed from the plane. While the airline doesn’t announce this policy, it is the official rule.
Have you ever taken a pillow off a Qatar Airways plane (or another airline, for that matter)?