Trip Reports - Emirates Airlines A380 in-flight shower

This is an Emirates Airlines photo trip report detailing the shower suite on the A380 in first class.

Please see my other reports for the flight details.

The shower room is reserved for 30 minutes per passenger. The FA came around and asked each of us if and when we would like the room. You are given 5 minutes of water to use. It was quite fun doing this at 35,000 feet and the room is spacious and kept very clean by an attendant. It was an extremely pleasant experience. I believe only two of us actually took showers out of about 10 passengers.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1668.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1681.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1691.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_17022.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1741.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1769.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1749.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1774.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1784.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1796.jpg

Thanks for reading!:D

Here are the links to my previous trip reports:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1001682-emirates-airlines-a380-suites-lhr-dxb-photo-report.html#post12493581

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1001735-emirates-airlines-a380-suites-dxb-bkk-continuation-previous.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1001687-emirates-airlines-a380-flight-shower.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1006676-ana-business-class-ord-nrt-photo-report.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1000233-virgin-atlantic-upper-class-photo-report-jfk-lhr.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/999211-air-canada-executive-class-narita-toronto-picture-report.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/987066-fun-first-class-sq-1-sfo-hkg.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/987084-continued-fun-first-sq-1-hkg-sin.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/987094-sq-report-business-class-male-maldives.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/937454-jal-new-suite-f-pics.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/937745-jal-skysleeper-older-f-pics.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/970756-cx-catering-smashes-others-short-haul-f.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/972520-cx-catering-report-short-haul-f-hkg-tpe.html

I always wondered what it would look like - thanks for the photos!

AKS120

I always wondered what it would look like - thanks for the photos!

AKS120

Wow! Mostly impressive. I am never see it before inside the shower by upper deck on A380. Thank you so much for showing me more photos opportunity.

I always wanted to see more pics of the shower area in Emirates A380 .. thank you ^

Wow, very cool.

I wonder how they keep all those towels rolled and stacked up so perfectly!

wow, 5 minutes of water? In my travels I've noticed I need at least 8 minutes, and that's rushing.

Geeeeez, that bathroom is nicer than mine at home!! ;)

Cool report - thanks! ^

Brilliant! Still seems like a bit of a gimmick though, but a very well executed one.

Nice Report! Thanks ^

Great photos. Thank you for posting.

Now, if you hit turbulence, I assume you have something to hold onto?

AWESOME trip report all the way around the photos were superb to see what product they offer thanks for doing this for us FTers. ^:D

Five minutes is pretty short, but manageable if you go quickly (perhaps would need to turn off the water while soaping up). I was thinking it would suck if you ran out of time before finishing, but having the timer/gauge makes this much easier to pull off, I'm sure. Awesome pictures!

wow, 5 minutes of water? In my travels I've noticed I need at least 8 minutes, and that's rushing.

Hey thats what we use to call a Navy Shower:D.

Cool stuff! Thanks for sharing!

great pics thanks for sharing. I believe EK is the only airline offering this service... any airlines have plans to follow suit?

Maybe LH on their A380s?

Definitely cool! I wonder how much this shower costs Emirates? I remember watching the Week in the life of American Airlines on CNBC and the captain saying that it costs ~$30 to make one cup of coffee, because they have to use the on-board generators and it takes a lot more power to make water hot at altitude. Considering that you're probably using about a gallon of water per minute when showering (on the conservative side), how much does that cost the airline? I'm sure they more than make up for it with the cost of tickets in F, so I am not worried about them losing money.

Maybe LH on their A380s?

Yes, could be.

pretty sweet photos. thank you for sharing!

Brilliant! Still seems like a bit of a gimmick though, but a very well executed one.

That's what I thought so too, but I've used it 3 times now, and let me tell you, walking off the plane already refreshed and ready to go is an amazing feeling.

And 5 minutes really is plenty. Love the moving map in there to watch while you're getting ready.

pretty sweet photos. thank you for sharing!

I agreed with you. I think it was fabulous time to see more photos inside the shower room.

I was hoping to see some pics of the FFox all soaped up but alas.
Still a good photo report though.
If you go in with your travel companion can you have 10 mins?

:D:D:D

Now that is seriously impressive.

Cheers Larry.

Hey thats what we use to call a Navy Shower:D.

was gonna say... if u'd been to navy boot camp, 5 min. is a looong time.

was gonna say... if u'd been to navy boot camp, 5 min. is a looong time.

Give me 50 pushups now!

Cool!
I would love to grab a shower in the air, incl after a 12+hr flight

Thanks for posting the pictures.

I doubt I would ever want to use the shower inflight though ?

Now, if you hit turbulence, I assume you have something to hold onto?

Actually, that's a question I've had for a long time as well.... What happens if you do hit turbulence while you're all wet and sudsy? :eek:

Also, can you turn the shower on and off, or once it starts, it's five minutes from that point on?

Thanks so much OP, I appreciate the great photos and information!!!

Actually, that's a question I've had for a long time as well.... What happens if you do hit turbulence while you're all wet and sudsy? :eek:

Also, can you turn the shower on and off, or once it starts, it's five minutes from that point on?

Thanks so much OP, I appreciate the great photos and information!!!

Well from what I read, it is a 2 person shower, so there's always something to grab on your SO :p

On the 5th photo, you can see a metal bar handle thing to grab onto

Well from what I read, it is a 2 person shower, so there's always something to grab on your SO :p

On the 5th photo, you can see a metal bar handle thing to grab onto

It's not a 2-person shower. There is not enough space.

It's also not a shower for anyone taller than 6 feet 1 or 2 inches.

Actually, that's a question I've had for a long time as well.... What happens if you do hit turbulence while you're all wet and sudsy? :eek:

Also, can you turn the shower on and off, or once it starts, it's five minutes from that point on?

Thanks so much OP, I appreciate the great photos and information!!!

There is a light that tells you to return to your seat.
Now, having said that, I would think it would take a while to rinse off, dry off, and put clothes back on, so I don't know how quickly this could happen.

There is also a light to tell you to put your oxygen mask on (the green one with O2 below). I am guessing this means return to your seat as well, since the picture shows the man running away from the shower to get the mask?

There is also a button (on the bottom) to summon the FA as well.

I am guessing that if turbulence got problematic they would likely start knocking on the door.

This is what I'm referring to:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/IMG_1744.jpg
You can turn the water on and off and the timer stops when you do, as in this picture of the button:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq207/flyingfox2/Emirates%20F%20Suites%20LHR-DXB/img_1749.jpg

5 minutes is actually not bad time-wise, even though it sounds a tad short.
As I mentioned, not many people fancied a shower on either of my flights. But then again, the average age of the people in the F cabin was around 60, so maybe they are not really interested?

What, no window? :p That's pretty cool though.

Thanks for the pics. Neat. Would they allow longer showers if there were only 2 of you using it?

Thanks for the pics. Neat. Would they allow longer showers if there were only 2 of you using it?

hmm, now if ur really resourceful, bring an empty milk gallon jug on board, and fill it up in the sink... and use that as extra water...i'm sure the sink will have hot water. Also bring in a cup to fill the jug...

the shower time is a bit short, u got to factor in the weight of the water that stays on the plane the whole flight, 5 minutes = 5 gallons = 40 pounds or so. 10 pax = 400 pounds of water = extra fuel consumed. Maybe if they let you purchase blocks of water beforehand? or is it limited by the tank...what if ur the only F pax? then can you get 50 minutes or do they just fill the tank up based on what they need?

Thanks for the pics. Neat. Would they allow longer showers if there were only 2 of you using it?

I thought about asking but I didn't. They did not offer any water time beyond 5 minutes.
5 minutes is actually fine time-wise, unless you've got long hair to wash (?). The shower is smallish and is really only designed for you to get in, wash, and get out.
I am sure they have to load enough water for the number of F passengers, even though most people may pass it up.
As I said earlier, most people were older on both flights (ages in the 50-60 range at least), so maybe they just couldn't be bothered to shower on the plane?

What, no window? :p That's pretty cool though.

I wish they'd had a window in there - now that would be very nice!:D

The good thing is your view is out into the room, rather than staring at a wall.

I thought about asking but I didn't. They did not offer any water time beyond 5 minutes.
5 minutes is actually fine time-wise, unless you've got long hair to wash (?). The shower is smallish and is really only designed for you to get in, wash, and get out.
I am sure they have to load enough water for the number of F passengers, even though most people may pass it up.
As I said earlier, most people were older on both flights (ages in the 50-60 range at least), so maybe they just couldn't be bothered to shower on the plane?

:) I'm not sure I'd ask either. Thanks again for the report and pics.

Will have to try.

Awesome pictures! Thank you.

Very nice clear pictures Flyingfox. ^

Is it easy to get the temperature control set to your liking? Takes me more than 5 minutes faffing about with some hotel room showers to get the temperature right. :D

Nice TR Flyingfox ^ :)

To answer some of questions asked :

They do allow more than 2 people but only if one is disabled & needs their helper.

Longer shower times are allowed ... It all depends on the crew ... Quite a few FTrs (myself included) have done 2 showers long-haul + enjoyed a longer shower time :)

I like the TV in front of the John :D

In the unlikely event of turbulence, there's a metal-bar inside the shower next to the seat.

Cheers ^

I am sure they have to load enough water for the number of F passengers, even though most people may pass it up.
As I said earlier, most people were older on both flights (ages in the 50-60 range at least), so maybe they just couldn't be bothered to shower on the plane?

Or they knew that the plane really only carries 2 gallons of water - and has a recycling system... don't be last in the shower queue! ;)

Hey thats what we use to call a Navy Shower:D.

5 minutes in a shower was 4 1/2 minutes more than what we got after playing in the sandboxes at Parris Island.

Hmm, I wonder if the honeymoon couple could get a full hour and 10 minutes of water together... Or perhaps they'd prefer two 30 minute sessions with some rest time in between :D Seems like plenty of room in there if you're sufficently motivated ^

If you go in with your travel companion can you have 10 mins?

:D:D:D

10 mins is definitely not enough if two people are allowed to be in there together.
:D:D:D

10 mins is definitely not enough if two people are allowed to be in there together.
:D:D:D

.................................:D

Absolutely fantastic !

Thanks for sharing.

Very cool! Thanks!!!

Maybe LH on their A380s?

Yes, could be.

Definitely not. LH is even contemplating now to use the current sloped business class in the A380 and not go fully flat.

Any way to get the photos working again? I just found this thread and would love to see the pictures....

I thought about asking but I didn't. They did not offer any water time beyond 5 minutes.
5 minutes is actually fine time-wise, unless you've got long hair to wash (?). The shower is smallish and is really only designed for you to get in, wash, and get out.

Same idea as the ensuite shower on Deutsche Bahn. You turn on the water, get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water, rinse.

DB didn't heat the water very much so I doubt I used even 5 minutes' worth of water - and my hair was pretty long at the time. Just curious but how much do they heat the water on the plane? Can you get a good hot shower?

Same idea as the ensuite shower on Deutsche Bahn. You turn on the water, get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water, rinse.

DB didn't heat the water very much so I doubt I used even 5 minutes' worth of water - and my hair was pretty long at the time. Just curious but how much do they heat the water on the plane? Can you get a good hot shower?

The water gets hot. I had to turn the dial toward "cold" because it got too hot, prior to stepping in.
You can turn the water on and off if you want, but I left it on for the entire 5 minutes and didn't run out of time.
But I have short hair!:D

looks luxury and great ! thanks for sharing !

That looks quite luxurious! I have been a bit disappointed by how some other airlines have fitted out their A380s, most notably Air France, where F class looks just like that found on its 777s. I want over-the-top luxury when I'm looking at airline eye-candy!

And five minutes is more than enough to soap up, shampoo and rinse. Shaving probably wouldn't be possible, but there's always the sink for that.