I went onboard an Emirates A380 for the first time and was blown away by the first-class luxuries – and how you can shower in mid-air

Pete SymeJan 14, 2024, 20:41 IST

Business Insider's Pete Syme and an Emirates Airbus A380 at the Dubai Airshow.Pete Syme/Business Insider

Emirates' enormous Airbus A380 was on display at the Dubai Airshow.
The first-class suites are huge and offer access to a bar and a private shower spa.

The Airbus A380 is the biggest passenger jet ever built, with a maximum takeoff weight of 575 tonnes — about the same as 320 Ford 5-150 trucks.

An Emirates A380 seats about 480 passengers, compared to about 280 on the A350-900 and about 240 on a typical Boeing Dreamliner.

And let's face it, double-decker vehicles are intrinsically cool, whether it be a plane, a train, or a bus.

My first time setting foot on an A380 came at the Dubai Airshow, where I got to see every part of an Emirates jetliner, including the exclusive private shower spa.

That was a few days before I flew back to London on a Qatar A380 in economy, which was predictably underwhelming in comparison. I think your best bet is aiming for an economy seat on the upper deck – unless you're fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the business and first-class amenities.

Emirates' Airbus A380 was a big attraction at the Dubai Airshow, with anyone allowed onboard — provided you're willing to wait in line.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It was my first time onboard Airbus' mammoth double-decker jet. My second experience came a few days later, flying back to London with Qatar Airways.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I was pretty excited, but I wasn't sitting on the upper-deck so it didn't feel too dissimilar from other jets.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

And I couldn't help but marvel its enormous wings and flaps opened as we touched down at Heathrow.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Thankfully, I'd already seen the upper deck of an A380 in Dubai. I was amazed by all the features and luxuries.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It really looks like a leviathan when viewed from the ground.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Once onboard, everyone was pretty quick to rush through the 3/4/3 economy cabin.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The line slowed at the spiral staircase to the upper deck.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

You first encounter the horseshoe-shaped bar for business and first-class passengers.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's a lot of space in this area, with a big screen and seats by the windows.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Where passengers can enjoy cocktails, Champagne, and sweet treats.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Flying business class on Emirates from London to Dubai costs about $4,000, compared with about $600 in economy.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Business-class amenities include socks, an eye mask, fancy headphones, and a blanket.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There were also a couple of water bottles, cans of Pepsi and 7up, and a glass laid out in the holder.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's plenty of legroom, and a 23-inch screen — nearly 10 inches bigger than in economy.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Plus plug sockets, two USB sockets, one for an HDMI cable, and an adjustable air vent.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

If you're like me and prefer a window seat, it's important to note that the layout alternates which side the console is on. That could make your view pretty small.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The seats closer to the windows also feel more private as the console separates them from the aisle, plus there's easy access to a small storage compartment on the side.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The seats closer to the windows also feel more private as the console separates them from the aisle, plus there's easy access to a small storage compartment on the side.

The business class seats transform into a flat bed.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I was definitely impressed by business class, but first class was a real step up. The suites have electric doors ...

Pete Syme/Business Insider

...and a "Do Not Disturb" sign.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The suite itself is incredibly spacious, with more than enough room to stretch out.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's a small table underneath the 32-inch screens, where you'll find a pop-up vanity mirror...

Pete Syme/Business Insider

...which includes a towelette, face creams, and even pillow mist and sleep oil.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Plus a little basket of snacks, including chocolates and hydration tablets.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

First-class passengers also have a larger minibar, which pops up from underneath the window.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The seat is 23-inches wide, and you'll find buttons on the armrest to close the door or call flight attendants.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The size of the A380 comes into its own here, as there's even more stowage space hidden in the corner behind the seat.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Space is also maximized as the dining table folds away into the side console.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Past a food and drink station towards the front of the cabin is the spa, with its onboard shower — a feature only offered by Emirates and Etihad.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I was surprised by just how large the room was – bigger than the bathroom in my apartment.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's a long mirror and basin.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

A host of amenities like a shaving kit, nail file, and cotton buds are also available.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The tour ended going down the wider front staircase.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I think the best A380 experience is sitting on the upper deck. There are more amenities than on other jets, and if you have money to burn, upgrading from business to first is worth it.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I think the best A380 experience is sitting on the upper deck. There are more amenities than on other jets, and if you have money to burn, upgrading from business to first is worth it.

I was afraid social media may have ruined the high school reunion, but nothing compared to seeing my class 25 years later

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I went onboard an Emirates A380 for the first time and was blown away by the first-class luxuries &ndash; and how you can shower in mid-air

Emirates' Airbus A380 was a big attraction at the Dubai Airshow, with anyone allowed onboard — provided you're willing to wait in line.

It was my first time onboard Airbus' mammoth double-decker jet. My second experience came a few days later, flying back to London with Qatar Airways.

I was pretty excited, but I wasn't sitting on the upper-deck so it didn't feel too dissimilar from other jets.

And I couldn't help but marvel its enormous wings and flaps opened as we touched down at Heathrow.

Thankfully, I'd already seen the upper deck of an A380 in Dubai. I was amazed by all the features and luxuries.

It really looks like a leviathan when viewed from the ground.

Once onboard, everyone was pretty quick to rush through the 3/4/3 economy cabin.

The line slowed at the spiral staircase to the upper deck.

You first encounter the horseshoe-shaped bar for business and first-class passengers.

There's a lot of space in this area, with a big screen and seats by the windows.

Where passengers can enjoy cocktails, Champagne, and sweet treats.

Flying business class on Emirates from London to Dubai costs about $4,000, compared with about $600 in economy.

Business-class amenities include socks, an eye mask, fancy headphones, and a blanket.

There were also a couple of water bottles, cans of Pepsi and 7up, and a glass laid out in the holder.

There's plenty of legroom, and a 23-inch screen — nearly 10 inches bigger than in economy.

Plus plug sockets, two USB sockets, one for an HDMI cable, and an adjustable air vent.

If you're like me and prefer a window seat, it's important to note that the layout alternates which side the console is on. That could make your view pretty small.

The seats closer to the windows also feel more private as the console separates them from the aisle, plus there's easy access to a small storage compartment on the side.

The business class seats transform into a flat bed.

I was definitely impressed by business class, but first class was a real step up. The suites have electric doors ...

...and a "Do Not Disturb" sign.

The suite itself is incredibly spacious, with more than enough room to stretch out.

There's a small table underneath the 32-inch screens, where you'll find a pop-up vanity mirror...

...which includes a towelette, face creams, and even pillow mist and sleep oil.

Plus a little basket of snacks, including chocolates and hydration tablets.

First-class passengers also have a larger minibar, which pops up from underneath the window.

The seat is 23-inches wide, and you'll find buttons on the armrest to close the door or call flight attendants.

The size of the A380 comes into its own here, as there's even more stowage space hidden in the corner behind the seat.

Space is also maximized as the dining table folds away into the side console.

Past a food and drink station towards the front of the cabin is the spa, with its onboard shower — a feature only offered by Emirates and Etihad.

I was surprised by just how large the room was – bigger than the bathroom in my apartment.

There's a long mirror and basin.

A host of amenities like a shaving kit, nail file, and cotton buds are also available.

The tour ended going down the wider front staircase.

I think the best A380 experience is sitting on the upper deck. There are more amenities than on other jets, and if you have money to burn, upgrading from business to first is worth it.

I went onboard an Emirates A380 for the first time and was blown away by the first-class luxuries – and how you can shower in mid-air