Skip to content

Good news for the first-class shower: Emirates plans to bring back all A380s by 2022

July 08, 2020
2 min read
Emirates A380 First Class_WP-54
Good news for the first-class shower: Emirates plans to bring back all A380s by 2022
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Hope is not lost for the Emirates A380, as the airline's President Tim Clark has optimistic plans to bring the airline's full fleet of superjumbos back into the sky by April 2022.

"As demand returns, and given the slot availability at prime hubs, there will be a place for it," Clark said. "I'm hoping by April 2022, all our A380s will be flying again."

Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!

The A380 has had a tough time since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in March — so much so that doubts have been cast over the future of the aircraft. Even Emirates, the world's largest operator of the A380, grounded all 115 aircraft.

Related: Every Airbus A380 in the world is grounded — except for one airline

Though some of Emirates premium perks have been reintroduced, its famed A380 onboard showers and business-class bars are still off-limits to passengers on the A380. However, there is more good news. Clark confirmed to The Times that the airline will restore the full product, quashing fears that it might never be possible to take a shower in the sky on an Emirates aircraft again. This, as other airlines around the world have opted to completely stop offering first class.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

As global travel restrictions start to ease, Emirates will resume A380 operations from July 15, including on several routes to the U.K. including Heathrow (LHR) from 15 July, followed by Birmingham (BHX), Gatwick (LGW), Glasgow (GLA) and Manchester (MAN) from 1 September.

The carrier is also poised to take delivery of its first new A380 installed with its premium economy seat. In June, Clark said that the carrier's first A380 with the new mid-tier product was "sitting in Toulouse waiting to go".

Featured image by DANIEL ROSS/THE POINTS GUY