Emirates brings back first class showers, bar and other amenities
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, airlines cut back many onboard services. One of those casualties was the Emirates first class shower. Is there anything more exciting than the race to beat the 5-minute timer onboard the luxurious A380 spa? I think not. Well, if you're headed to Dubai anytime soon, you won't have to do without this perk because Emirates reinstated its onboard shower and bar on Oct. 15.
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While that's great news all around, it's important to note that these services will look slightly different during the pandemic.
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Emirates onboard shower in the age of covid
Emirates closed down its onboard showers in May but resumed operations last week. This service is available to Emirates first-class passengers on flights of 2.5 hours or longer. On flight times under 3 hours and 30 minutes, you have to request a reservation, while on longer flights, the service will be offered to you proactively.
Shower suites won't be stocked with amenities (loofah, comb, shower cap, etc.) until requested. This is likely in order to reduce the number of people coming into contact with these items.
Emirates brings back the onboard bar
You may not be able to drink at your local bar anytime soon, but you can soon do so onboard Emirates' A380. The airline recently brought back the onboard bar accessible to both business and first-class passengers. The caveat? You can't lounge or crowd next to your friends to take the obligatory behind-the-bar photo.
Instead, passengers can grab drinks and individually-wrapped snacks from the bar and enjoy them at their seats. That's not hugely surprising since keeping a 6-foot distance in such a small space (with crew on board) would be challenging. While the onboard bar isn't going to provide the same experience as before, it's a small step toward normalcy (at least for those who can travel in premium cabins).
Related: The ultimate guide to Emirates first class
Premium services make a comeback
What's an onboard bar and shower without a proper tucking in? Emirates has brought back turndown service to make sleeping in a premium cabin more comfortable. In addition, drink and snack service has gotten a boost, with items being once again available for self-service in the galley.
Emirates first-class passengers get their fancy drink menu back along with nuts before meal service.
Bottom line
Emirates bringing back so many of its premium cabin services is a positive step in ensuring both the comfort and safety of passengers. The pandemic has seen a huge drop in air travel demand and premium cabins, in particular, aren't what they used to be. Binging back aspects of the onboard experience that passengers found appealing may drum up demand for premium travel.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees