Hitting the market in 2008, the Kaelis Business class coat hanger was a game changer for the industry. At the time, most boarding passes were still on paper and the crew spent a lot of time writing down which coat belonged to which passenger and sorting them out. This was a time-consuming process and on busy flights there was an increased risk of mix-ups happening.
Described as “simple yet effective” the patented hanger prioritises both function and style. It’s made of plastic and can feature an airline’s signature branding with different finishes available, giving it a refined, customised look.
Streamlined service
Integrated with a seat identifier, the coat hanger has two or three ‘wheels’, which enable crew to quickly input a passenger’s seat number before hanging up the jacket. This minimises onboard confusion and makes it easier to locate belongings when needed. It also ensures belongings are securely managed throughout the flight. Quicker jacket retrieval time reduces delays during boarding and disembarkation.
Fernanda Veiga, Chief Relations Officer, Kaelis, says: “Our coat hanger makes life easier by streamlining onboard systems, helping the crew keep coats organised and ensuring a smoother service.
“We started with a two-wheel model, but as demand grew, we developed a three-wheel version to accommodate wide-body planes. We’ve also introduced different finishes, even a stylish wood-like material, to fit the aesthetics of different cabins and airline preferences.”
Winning design
Over the years, the coat hanger has been used onboard by more than 25 airlines, including Air Europa, Air France, Delta, JetBlue and others.
It has also won two Onboard Hospitality awards. In 2017 the Delta Business class coat hanger (two-wheel model) was Highly Commended in the Best Onboard Service Equipment – Passenger category. In 2020, the Air France three-wheel version came out on top in the Best Onboard Service Equipment (for crew) award.
Enduring appeal
So what’s the secret to the product standing the test of time so well?
“This isn’t just a coat hanger – it’s a game changer,” explains Veiga. “It just works really well. Airlines love it because it makes the crew’s job easier and passengers notice the seamless service. It has been created with the inflight experience in mind and has been in demand for more than 15 years due to its smart design and reliability.”
