The president of the luxurious Dubai carrier has plans to further upgrade the passenger experience (Image: Getty)
Emirates is continuing to live up to its reputation as one of the world’s most luxurious airlines after issuing a statement on reports it could introduce opulent en-suite bathrooms on board its aircraft. The Dubai-based carrier – already famed for its first-class shower spas – addressed speculation that future cabins on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 could feature fully private, hotel-style bathroom facilities, following comments from president Sir Tim Clark.
“I’m working on en-suite bathrooms in first-class suites,” Sir Tim said, speaking at the 2026 Capa Airline Leader Summit in Berlin on Thursday (April 23).
“I want everyone to hear that so everyone rushes out the door to find out how they can get bathrooms in first-class suites.”
Sir Tim, who has been with Emirates since its founding in 1985 and became president in 2003, explained the airline is “constantly refining the product” to avoid “going stale”.
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Currently, first-class cabins are available on all of Emirates’ Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, but are not en-suites (Image: Emirates)
Currently, first-class cabins are available on all of Emirates’ Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. On the Airbus A380, passengers in first class can use two shower spas, an onboard lounge and bar, and luxury amenities, while cabins feature sliding doors. The experience is generally considered ideal for its balance of privacy and space for socialising.
The Boeing 777 offering is a more private flight experience, with individual cabins that are fully enclosed and feature floor-to-ceiling suites. While its entertainment and tech offerings are more extensive, the cabins are slightly smaller. Middle seat cabins feature virtual windows, but the shower spas are not on this aircraft.
Currently, no commercial airline features private en-suite bathrooms for every first-class passenger.
Etihad Airways – the UAE’s other flag carrier alongside Emirates – offers a luxurious experience with The Residence, which includes a private bathroom and shower. Introduced in 2014, The Residence is available on select Airbus A380 flights, where first class is also offered. It boasts a three-room suite featuring a living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom, often described as “an apartment in the sky”.
First-class passengers on Emirates Airbus A380s can use two shower spas, while cabins feature sliding doors (Image: Emirates)
Emirates’ latest plans are a far cry from those of budget airlines, which are currently looking to launch standing-only seats, creating an extra 20% of capacity per flight. The Skyrider standing seats were first revealed in 2018 by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors, with the expectation that they would be used only on flights under two hours.
A spokesperson for Aviointeriors said in 2018: “The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat. It allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin. Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction of mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft.
“Its main feature is the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger position allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort.”
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has backed “standing berths” since 2012 and suggested fares could be as low as £1.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
