14 Sep Long Haul Flights: Airlines With First Class In-Flight Shower

Bigwig airlines have often competed, providing long-distance, non-stop flights. Currently, Qatar Airlines boasts flying the longest flight in the world, from Doha to Auckland. The long-awaited comeback of Singapore to New York flights means that passengers will have to spend long hours in a plane.

Flying for such a long time in an enclosed tube with recirculated air of other passengers on-board may cause fatigue. That’s why most first-class airlines offer travelers the chance to get clean while on board. Long haul flights have never been this convenient as the luxury of in-flight showers are now available for first-class passengers. Take note of these airlines next time you’re planning to take a long flight.

Etihad and Emirates are the only two major airlines that offer showers on their planes. Both flight companies have their headquarters in the United Arab Emirates. First class passengers can experience the spa-like experience on the Airbus A380 plane. Emirates long-haul flights have 14 first-class seats with two showers, while Etihad has only one shower spa to cater to its nine first-class passengers. The other shower is lodged inside their luxury “Residence” suite that features three spacious rooms.

Emirates First-Class, In-Flight Showers

Emirates was the first commercial long-haul airline to introduce in-flight shower spas. As mentioned earlier, their Airbus A380 has two showers used by 14 first class passengers. The showers also double up as lavatories, and travelers can relieve themselves when the showers are unoccupied. You are limited to only one shower per flight and the maximum amount of time when using the room is twenty minutes, including five minutes of hot water (although the time may be extended if there are less First Class passengers). The airline maintains a high level of hygiene as the showers are thoroughly cleaned after every use.

In case the First Class is full, it would be best if you made an early reservation to ensure you don’t miss on the stand-alone spa experience. Apart from the in-flight shower, Emirates First Class tickets also offer lucrative perks and amenities. These include luxury baths and spa products, hair dryers, soft towels, and Bulgari’s woody floral fragrance.

Here’s the topping on the cake: When you are done showering and return to your seat, the flight attendant will be waiting to serve you a plate of fresh fruits and honey. Afterward, you can recline your seat, relax, and enjoy the rest of the flight.

Etihad First Class In-Flight Showers

Etihad Airbus A380 is the only airline, besides Emirates, that offers in-flight shower spas. The plane also has two showers. The only difference is that the second shower is exclusively for use in the ultra-luxurious, three-room “Residence” suite. The remaining nine First Class passengers use the other shower spa. Because of that, it is recommended that you book your spot in advance so that you don’t miss your chance to freshen up on-board.

Luxury is the centerfold of the Etihad First Class experience. The showers are stocked with fluffy towels, a strong hair dryer, and high-quality shower products. The Airline has partnered with Le Labo to provide toiletries. Passengers also get five minutes taking a hot shower, and there is a meter to countdown the time. The flight comes with ingenious water-supply technology. Passengers need first to ensure that they close and latch the bathroom door. Failure to do so means the water will not flow.

The showerhead is perched on the ceiling. You might want to position yourself strategically to avoid being blasted with a cold shower when you enter the shower. The water heats up quickly to let you enjoy a refreshing and revitalizing shower. When you are done, passengers can choose to put on the soft pajamas offered by Etihad Airlines or change into their clothes before returning to their spacious seats.

Redeeming Points for Emirates First Class Flight

While first class tickets can get pricey, passengers can leverage the Emirates Skywards Program to fly on luxury first class Emirates flights. The program combines two types of miles, namely Skyward and Tier. The former offers redeemable points through flights, promotions and offers, and partner flights, while the latter caters only to Emirates flights. With partner flights, Emirates gets you points when you fly using Alaska Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL), Korean Air, and Qantas Airlines.

Apart from Emirate’s own mileage points, travelers can also afford the airline’s first class long-haul flights with in-flight showers using partner flights, such as American Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), or Korean Air.

Among these, American Airlines is the best bet to get a one-way, long-haul Etihad flight. The ANA Mileage Club only offers points for round-trip tickets at quite reasonable prices. For instance, 195,000 ANA points give you a round trip aboard Etihad’s first class flight from New York City to Abu Dhabi.