Guide To Emirates’ A380 First Class Shower Spa

Guide To Emirates’ A380 First Class Shower Spa

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Aviation has come a long way over the years, and airlines have introduced some pretty unbelievable premium cabin amenities. However, in my millions of miles of flying, I’d argue that nothing can compare with the excitement of showering on an Emirates Airbus A380.

No matter how many times I shower on an Emirates A380, I can’t help but giggle each time, because there’s just something so unbelievably incredible about flying 35,000 feet above the ground in a million pound metal tube at 500 miles per hour and showering.

Over the years I’ve taken dozens of Emirates A380 first class flights, and no matter how often I fly this product, it never gets old. So I wanted to write a guide about everything you could possibly want to know about the Emirates A380 shower spa.

Guide to the Emirates shower in A380 first class

Emirates exclusively has showers onboard its Airbus A380s that feature first class (Emirates also has some A380s without first class, so those planes don’t have shower suites). Showers aren’t available onboard Emirates’ 777s, including those featuring the new first class, so this is one reason people may choose to seek out the A380 over the 777.

There are two shower suites on each Airbus A380 featuring a first class cabin, and they’re located at the very front of the upper deck. When you go to the front of the 14-seat first class cabin, you’ll see them right there, on each side of the staircase.

Emirates A380 first class cabin
Emirates A380 staircase
Emirates A380 shower spa door

In terms of space allocation, these shower suites aren’t quite as excessive as they may seem at first glance. Due to the curvature of the A380, there couldn’t be seats there, so instead Emirates decided to use this space creatively. Just as a point of comparison, Qantas’ A380s have a small business class lounge in this space.

These aren’t just dinky showers, but actually shower suites that are probably larger than the average bathroom in a NYC apartment. It’s just unbelievable.

Emirates A380 first class shower suite

Reserving the Emirates A380 shower suite

Emirates first class passengers can shower once per flight. You can typically spend 30 minutes in the shower room (though in theory I suppose you could spend longer if it’s not otherwise booked), though you only get five minutes of running water. More on that later.

Typically either before takeoff or immediately after, a flight attendant or the shower attendant will stop by your seat to see if you’d like to reserve a shower.

Indeed, Emirates has a full-time shower attendant onboard, who isn’t a flight attendant. In terms of uniforms, you can tell the shower attendant apart from the rest of the crew because they wear pants, while the rest of the female crew wear skirts. They also wear red vests during the flight.

Is it necessary to reserve the shower suite in advance? It depends on a few factors:

  • How full the first class cabin is — availability will be different if there are just two passengers vs. 14 passengers
  • How long the flight is — shower availability will be different on a Los Angeles to Dubai flight than a Dubai to Jeddah flight
  • When you want to shower — the most popular time to shower is within two hours of landing, so that you can freshen up before arrival

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to make an appointment as soon as possible if you’re on a short flight or if you want to shower close to landing. You can always reserve a spot for closer to landing, and then if you later decide you want to shower earlier, it’ll probably be available.

Otherwise you can usually just play it by ear. If you’re on a 15-hour flight, you can always indicate the general timeline with which you’d like to shower, and the crew will do their best to accommodate.

Emirates A380 shower suite layout & amenities

The Emirates A380 shower spas are a really good size, and shouldn’t feel claustrophobic at all. The shower spa has a toilet, sink with vanity mirror, and enclosed shower.

Emirates shower spa A380
Emirates shower spa A380

Like any civilized airplane bathroom, there are customizable heated floors, so you can adjust the temperature. 😉

Emirates shower spa heated floors

There’s a tray in the back of the shower spa with all kinds of toiletries, ranging from dental kits, to shaving kits, to cotton swabs. There are also toiletries from VOYA, with the choice of tranquil or revitalizing scents.

Emirates shower spa amenities

There’s also hand soap from VOYA, as well as some fragrances from BVLGARI.

Emirates shower spa amenities

There’s a TV screen in the shower spa with the map feature, so you can keep track of the progress of your flight.

Emirates shower spa map feature

Immediately underneath the screen is a compartment that contains a hair dryer.

Emirates shower spa hair dryer

Exclusively on the Airbus A380, first class passengers are also given a tote bag, which is specifically intended so that you can transport stuff to and from the shower suite. Emirates really thinks of everything.

Emirates A380 first class tote bag

How to use the Emirates A380 shower suite

The process of actually using the shower spa is pretty straightforward. At the designated time, the crew will come by your suite to collect you and bring you to the shower spa. The crew will then ask if you’re familiar with the shower, and you’ll generally then get a short briefing. For example, you’re reminded that there’s an oxygen mask in the shower in the event of an emergency.

As far as actually operating the shower goes, the shower has a door that opens and closes, so that it can be fully enclosed.

Emirates A380 shower suite door
Emirates A380 shower suite interior
Emirates A380 shower suite interior

The shower has a timer that shows how much of your five minute water allotment is remaining. For half the shower you should be in the green zone, then the other half of the shower time is split between yellow and red. When your shower gets into the red zone, it will automatically turn off as a warning, and you’ll have to push the button to turn it back on.

Emirates A380 shower suite water indicator

The good news is that you can turn the shower on and off as often as you want. So you can wet yourself, then apply shampoo and body wash, then wash yourself off, and then stand under hot water for a minute giggling. I’m usually pretty slow in the shower, but it’s enough water even for me.

Emirates A380 shower suite on & off button

The Emirates shower has good water pressure, much better than you’d expect on a plane, in my opinion.

One common thing that confuses people is that you have to close the shower door before the shower will work. A lot of people want to “test out” the water first, and then are convinced their shower isn’t working. But the shower only works when the shower door is latched closed.

Emirates A380 shower suite door latch

Emirates A380 shower suite FAQs

I think the above covers most of the basics of the shower suite, though let me address some of the other questions that people may have.

What happens in the event of turbulence?

In the event that the plane encounters turbulence while you’re in the shower, you’ll be advised to sit down on the bench in the shower. There’s not a seatbelt, and there’s no need to return to your seat.

Why was I given fruit after my shower?

As a standard offering, Emirates places a small fruit plate at your seat after a shower, and also offers you green tea, if you’d like. This is intended to further create a spa-like experience.

Emirates post-shower fruit plate

Hmmm, did the bar display just change?

The first class self-service bar is located at the front of the upper deck, just opposite the two shower suites (this is different from the main bar, located in the back of business class).

Emirates first class bar A380

However, you’ll notice that on long haul flights, a few hours before landing (when most passengers want to shower), the shower attendant takes down the bar and instead sets up a relaxing water display. Over the top, eh?

Emirates first class water feature A380

Can you join the mile high club in the shower spa?

Funny enough, there’s a sign above the shower suite indicating that the maximum occupancy of the Emirates A380 shower is two. The intent there is in case a second passenger requires “assistance.” Of course I suppose it depends how you define assistance. 😉

In all honesty, no, generally it’s not appropriate. Is there a chance you could get away with it? Yes. Is there a chance you could get an angry purser that’s not happy if they find out? Yes. Is there a chance if you have an awesome purser and ask nicely they may allow it? Who knows…

Emirates shower suite maximum occupancy sign

Should you tip the shower attendants?

Just like you don’t tip flight attendants, you also don’t need to tip shower attendants.

Can you use the shower spa as a bathroom as well?

Yes, when the shower suites aren’t in use, they absolutely can be used as bathrooms as well. Emirates has three bathrooms in A380 first class, including the two shower suites at the front of the cabin, plus there’s a smaller bathroom behind the cabin.

Emirates A380 first class bathroom

As long as someone hasn’t reserved the shower suite, it is the standard bathroom to be used as well (minus the shower water). The shower attendant also constantly refreshes the suite, making sure that the towel “pyramid” is perfect, and replacing the cover on toilet seats after each use.

Emirates shower suite towels

Is there a difference between the two shower suites?

This is truly exceptionally minor, but since we’re all about the details here, there is a bit of a difference between the two shower suites, with the one on the left (when facing forward) being slightly nicer. The left shower suite has a bench that curves all the way around.

Left Emirates A380 shower suite

Meanwhile the right shower suite has some sort of equipment in a compartment in front of it, and doesn’t have that same curving bench.

Right Emirates A380 shower suite

Why do some shower suites look different?

You’ll notice that the above pictures all show the Emirates shower suites with light colored finishes, plus art depicting the Dubai skyline. However, some A380s have a different design, with much darker tones, and a ghaf tree motif. Why is this?

Well, Emirates is in the process of updating its cabin finishes to be a bit less blingy. The lighter colored shower suites are on the original A380s, while the darker colored shower suites are on the newest delivery A380s, plus the A380s that have been reconfigured recently, to add premium economy.

Updated Emirates A380 shower suite

Doesn’t Etihad also have a shower suite on A380s?

It’s worth mentioning that there’s one other airline offering inflight showers. Specifically, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad also has an onboard shower in its A380 first class. While this is also a great experience, it’s not in the same league as Emirates — there’s only one shower suite, there’s no dedicated shower attendant, and the shower is also much smaller. So while it’s still a treat, it’s not as exciting as what you’ll find on Emirates.

Etihad A380 shower suite

Bottom line

I don’t typically consider myself to be a shower enthusiast, though the exception is when flying Emirates A380 first class. If you haven’t yet showered on a plane, add it to your bucket list. Even if you’re otherwise jaded by premium cabin travel nowadays, I think you may still find yourself giggling when you take that first shower on a plane.

If you’ve used the Emirates A380 first class shower, what was your experience like?

Conversations (9)
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  1. Kieran Guest

    Lucky mentions the MHC. But it doesn’t require 2 guest. I have several male friends who brag about IT in the shower! And there seems to be a small community of men with those bragging rights!

  2. iamhere Guest

    I wonder how clean the water is in that shower. Some people say they would not use the bidet spray on the Japanese airlines for this reason...

  3. AdrienH Guest

    Just did the BKK-HKG-BKK, business class on the way out and then back in First ... and couldn't agree more ... the shower is, with the caviar, the highlight of the A380 First experience. So spacious and that heated floor was just awesome. I was lucky as on such a short flight (<3h) they could accommodate 4 out of 14 pax. Loved it. Also they had just re-opened the Emirates lounge in HKG and that was also impeccable.

  4. Quentin Heim Guest

    Great summary. It’s an amazing benefit on a 16-hour flight: enjoy excellent wines with dinner; sleep for hours; then shower and feel completely refreshed before landing.

  5. Joe Guest

    This statement about the tote bag (pasted below) is not correct. You get the tote bag in 777 First as well.

    "Exclusively on the Airbus A380, first class passengers are also given a tote bag, which is specifically intended so that you can transport stuff to and from the shower suite. Emirates really thinks of everything."

  6. ugoren Member

    Thanks for the great review, this is probably as close as I'll ever get to this shower.

  7. Ivan Guest

    Cathay Pacific to present Halo First Class on monday.

  8. TravelinWilly Diamond

    One great feature is that the hot water comes gushing out immediately - no waiting for it to turn warm or hot. LOVE that part of it.

    1. Joe Guest

      True, but "gushing" is a bit of an overstatement...

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Kieran Guest

Lucky mentions the MHC. But it doesn’t require 2 guest. I have several male friends who brag about IT in the shower! And there seems to be a small community of men with those bragging rights!

0
iamhere Guest

I wonder how clean the water is in that shower. Some people say they would not use the bidet spray on the Japanese airlines for this reason...

0
Joe Guest

True, but "gushing" is a bit of an overstatement...

0
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