When most people think of airplane bathrooms, it’s probably not a nice imagine that comes to mind. Airlines have largely shrunk bathrooms on newer aircraft significantly, and at times they’re also not very well maintained.
That’s not true across the board, though. In premium cabins, we’ve seen airlines introduce some pretty amazing amenities in recent years, and that even includes awesome bathrooms.
In this post I wanted to share what I consider to be the airlines with the best first class bathrooms (somewhat overlapping with my list of the world’s best first class airlines). Unsurprisingly, a few options on this list involve the Airbus A380, which is the aircraft that has ushered in the most bathroom innovation. That’s because the front of the upper deck has a bit of extra space that can’t be utilized for seats, making room for some cool amenities.
With that in mind, below are my five favorite airplane bathrooms, roughly ranked…
In this post:
1. Emirates A380 first class
Emirates A380 first class is one of my all-around favorite first class products, and a large part of that is the amazing A380 first class shower suites.
Emirates’ A380s have two first class shower suites at the front of the upper deck, equipped with heated floors, enough amenities to start a toiletry resale business, and most importantly, a shower. As a first class passenger you can schedule a shower at the beginning of your flight, and while there’s no time limit to how long you can use the shower spa, you’re limited to five minutes of water. Fortunately you can turn the water on and off without the clock “running,” so that’s more than enough water for a nice shower.
Of all the excitement I’ve experienced in the air, I don’t think anything compares to the first time I took a shower on Emirates. The airline even has shower spa attendants, who make sure the shower spas are well maintained throughout the flight.
2. Singapore Airlines A380 Suites
Singapore Airlines A380 Suites is an incredible first class product, with only six seats in the cabin. While you won’t find a shower on Singapore Airlines’ A380s, you will find some of the most spacious bathrooms in the sky. One of the lavatories has a huge vanity, and is probably the size of 10 typical Boeing 737 MAX bathrooms. Airplane bathrooms don’t get much more luxurious than this!
3. Qatar Airways A380 first class
Qatar Airways A380 first class has two very nice lavatories at the front of the upper deck. While there aren’t any special amenities, you’ll find that they’re incredibly spacious, and nicely decorated.
4. All Nippon Airways 777 first class
As you can see, so far all of the lavatories on the list are on Airbus A380s, so let’s take a look at a different aircraft type. I’m a huge fan of All Nippon Airways 777 first class.
While the first class lavatory at first might not appear to be so special, many will appreciate that ANA has a bidet function for its toilets, which you won’t find on many airlines. I also appreciate how there’s a “plank” of sorts that you can extend on the ground, for situations where you want to change into pajamas without touching the regular floor of the bathroom.
On top of that, ANA does an amazing job with keeping its lavatories clean between each use, down to folding the toilet paper into perfect triangles.
5. Lufthansa 747-8 first class
I have a soft spot for Lufthansa 747-8 first class, probably at least partly because the Boeing 747-8 is my favorite plane as an avgeek. While not quite as over the top as some of the other options, Lufthansa’s 747-8 lavatories are spacious, have a bench you can extend out over the toilet, and most importantly, have a window. It’s so nice to be able to look out the window while in the lavatory.
Coming soon: more fun airplane bathrooms
While I consider the above to be the current best lavatories in service, I’d note that in the coming months we’ll see two awesome new lavatories introduced, as we see certain planes reactivated.
First of all, Lufthansa will be bringing back its A380s in the summer of 2023. These planes have two huge lavatories at the front of the upper deck, each equipped with a bench, and most excitingly, a urinal!
Furthermore, Etihad will be bringing back its A380s as of the summer of 2023. Aside from Emirates, Etihad is the only one other airline to have a shower suite in first class. While it’s not quite as extravagant as what you’ll find on Emirates, I think most people won’t be complaining about any opportunity to shower on a plane. 😉
Bottom line
There are some pretty incredible airplane bathrooms out there. While nothing can compete with Emirates’ amazing shower suites, there are plenty of other impressive ones out there as well, including everything from vanities, to bidets (and soon urinals!).
What’s your favorite bathroom on a commercial aircraft?
Easier to join the mile high club in these five
No Cathay Pacific First Class? Seems just as nice as ANA at least from my memory
@jason thanks for the heads up on cost cutting.
Do ana and jal offer bidets (washlets) in all classes?
They are in business class also. Just not all the bathrooms.
Don’t know what’s going on in Y/PY, but Biz and F are all equipped with bidet for both NH and JL.
John and Brandon,
ANA's bathroom is slightly better than JAL's as new 77Ws feature pedal trash can.
However ANA is now more like "Another Friendly Sky" - Japanese United. They did a pack of cost cut actions during the pandemic. Champagne downgraded from Krug 2004 to NV, no more partnership with Okuda Tooru on Japan origin catering, three months and two directions' menu printed in one book and poorly maintained F product...... ANA is no longer that magical.
The ANA F bathroom is immaculate, but it is a little uncomfortable to have the attendant go right in after you to clean it. I was thinking "uh you might want to give it a few minutes to air out? i'm the only person in the F cabin so there's plenty of time".
Bathrooms? Really? On an airplane? Why? Nobody wants to take a bath on an airplane.
I used to think the same way, but I can see a reason now (note, I've never flown Emirates first class so I've never actually taken a shower on a flight, but there are definitely flights where I wish I could have).
First, arrivals lounges aren't always the most convenient. Sometimes you're transiting onto another long flight, with only an hour to connect. You're not going to have time to stop in a lounge and...
I used to think the same way, but I can see a reason now (note, I've never flown Emirates first class so I've never actually taken a shower on a flight, but there are definitely flights where I wish I could have).
First, arrivals lounges aren't always the most convenient. Sometimes you're transiting onto another long flight, with only an hour to connect. You're not going to have time to stop in a lounge and shower. And if you've been traveling for 12 hours and have another 10 hours to go, having a quick shower can do wonders to help you feel refreshed and energized.
Secondly, and I think this is the biggie: a lot of Emirates' destinations are to airports without the best amenities. Lots of airports don't have showers in lounges. What's more, for many of them, for international flights, you need to be at the airport 4-5 hours before the flight. And the air conditioning isn't always the best. There have been times when, after driving 2 hours in dusty, polluted streets to get to the airport, and then spending 5 hours sweating in a hot terminal with minimal A/C, I walk onto my 10 hour flight already feeling exhausted, sticky, and dirty. In those moments, I've definitely wished that I could have taken a shower and slipped into some pajamas before settling into my flight.
I think most US and Western European frequent fliers, used to a quick taxi to their local airport, arriving with just an hour or 2 before their flight, just enough time for a quick meal in the lounge before hopping onto their flight, don't appreciate what an ordeal it can be, in other countries and other airports, sometimes just to get on that flight. Or conversely, the ordeal once you get off that flight and make your way to your home or hotel. In those cases, being able to take a quick shower on the flight itself can be really helpful.
The term 'Bathrooms' is an American expression to avoid having to actually say lavatory or the like, so not to upset the sensitivities of the delicate or faint of heart. The British well-bred use the espression 'powder room' .
Australians use a range of descriptions which are more likely to get right to the point of the function of the space. Lavatory ir right at the top of the politeness index!
Hi Ben, the tag on Qatar Airways bathroom pics are labelled as SQ bathrooms.
Ben I think its unfair that you only post about ANA on this, when JAL has the exact same function on their plane also for first class, AND business class. Also remember they have a step for the passengers in first class to change into their pajamas. Maybe adjust your info on ANA? :)
Best economy bathroom - downstairs on the A340-600.
Agreed! Came here to post this. Not luxury but definitely unique.
I agree - much better to have one line for multiple toilets. Wish other planes had similar.
Really love these kind of posts. Top 5 [insert obscure airline amenity that only avgeeks care about]
BA in First on the a380 was clean. I liked that they have eau de toilette in the lavatories on Emirates and RJ .
The A380 was the airplane to go over the top on everything so it is not a surprise that you will find some of the only showers on commercial airlines. Given the environmental movement, I doubt if most airlines could get by with the size of even the lavs on new airliners. Arrival lounges work for the rest.