EMIRATES: Am I the only travel blogger to not have a shower in the sky until now?

I feel like I am. Given it is 2023, and Emirates introduced showers in their First Class cabins on the A380 back in 2008, I feel I have left it a bit late!

I will be doing a full review of the flight between Christchurch, New Zealand and Sydney in First Class on Emirates. But I thought I would share with you my first impressions, excitement and amazement at the Shower Spa and the whole First Class experience of this under four-hour flight, while it’s fresh in my mind.

Booking the flight – points or cash?

I booked a Qantas Business Class fare from Sydney to Christchurch back during the double status promotion back in March. But I only booked one way, debating whether to pay cash money for the Emirates fly, or redeem points for the flights. My calculations would depend on the cash money price, compared to my need to earn some more Status Credits. Turned out I was set to earn sufficient status credits to re-qualify for 2024/5, so points it was. I only made the final decision on 18 August for travel on 6 September. The cost was AU$119 and 64,500 Qantas Frequent Flyer points, versus about AU$1,600 at discount first rate.

Was this a good use of points – probably not. But, you know, shower in the sky!

Anyway, here are my first impressions for what it’s worth . . .

Seat and Cabin

The Emirates First Class suite is a lot smaller than I was expecting. It’s quite narrow – not in a confining sense, but in a comparison to other First Class cabins I have experienced. That exposure is limited to Singapore Airlines suites, and Qantas First both on A380s. Both of those feel a lot more spacious, with Qantas feeling airy and open, and Singapore having a seat and a bed.

The seat itself is magically comfortable and luxurious. I found the controls a bit meta, rather than allowing the ability to control aspects of the seat finely. Or at least that’s the case for the in-arm controls.

Meal service

Being only a three-plus hour journey, I only had one meal, plus the usual pre-departure hot towel, drink (Krug), dates and Arabic coffee (offer declined).

The meal was fantastic, but the start, with the caviar service, is always the most impressive. I love caviar and am partial to Krug, especially when I don’t think I’m paying for it. It also helps to have a generous portion.

Shower Spa

But I have this out of order. In fact, with only about 5 people travelling in the Emirates First Class cabin designed for 14, I had the attention of the cabin staff. I requested my shower before my meal, and within moments of my request, I was told it would be ready in 5 minutes. No booking ahead here. Sure enough, it was, and I took my time enjoying what is surely an almost unique and luxurious pleasure of showering at 35,000 feet.

I had checked out of my Christchurch hotel at midday and been given a lift to the airport by The George’s uniform supplier! She was chatting with the person who checked me out and offered to drive me in that way that you only trust because it was the small-town hospitality of the South Island of New Zealand. She did have a black Mercedes but also needed to clear the passenger seat of clothing patterns to accommodate me.

We had a great chat, and it was much more personal than a Taxi or an Uber driver. But I digress.

So, by the time I boarded the aircraft, it was the other end of the day, when if at home, I would be contemplating a shower anyway.

Let’s cut to the chase. The shower spa is amazing. The bathroom itself is large, and the shower stall feels spacious. As it was my first time, the shower attendant explained the whole way it functioned. Thinks like the door needed to be closed for the water to flow, what to do if the seat belt sign came on, or I needed assistance.

There is just nothing like having hot water showering over you, to refresh the body, mind and spirit. That’s true if you are on the ground, but especially so when up in the air in the confines of an aircraft!

My shower concluded, I sat myself down to enjoy the meal and service, which were all stand-out.

2PAXfly Takeout

I felt incredibly indulged on my flight between Christchurch and Sydney in Emirates First Class. The Shower Spa was sensational, as was the service, attention to detail, and the First Class Suite itself. The only downside to my experience was that it was only three and a bit hours. I would love to have the experience of a 14-hour flight. in Emirates First Class.

That way, I might even recline my seat into a bed.

I’ll give you a full detailed flight review in the next few weeks.