American Airlines retro amenity kits

American Airlines is launching special amenity kits featuring the names and logos of airlines no longer in business, including TWA, Piedmont and Reno Air.

I can’t decide whether this is a “gotcha” aimed at nine airlines that American either absorbed or otherwise helped put out of business, or a way to honor what American describes as paying tribute its employees, many of whom worked at those grounded names.

The new amenity kits will be distributed to First Class and Business Class passengers on most transcontinental and international flights, and feature both the colors and logos of the airlines no longer flying

In addition to TWA, Piedmont and Reno Air, the retro amenity kits include PSA, AirCal, Allegheny, America West and US Airways.

But not Eastern, which was absorbed by Continental, which was in turn absorbed by United Airlines. FWIW, my original Eastern frequent flyer number became my Contnental OnePass frequent flyer number, which is now my UAL MileagePlus number.

And not Pan Am, which simply disappeared, along with Braniff and People Express.

And not Ozark, which grew up to be Delta.

How many more grounded names can you think of?

And do you remember when airlines served FREE meals?

American is rolling out the retro amenity kits on flights between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as between Miami and Los Angeles.

These retro kits contain a pair of contemporary socks and eye mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, and a trio of organic products by the company red flower, which does not capitalize its name.