Everything You Should Know Before You Use the Etihad First Class Apartment Shower
Showering on a plane? It's possible with having to fly on a private plane. Emirates and Etihad double deck Airbus A380 flights are equipped with a shower. There are two Shower Spas on Emirates available for all First Class passengers. Whereas the Etihad First Class Apartment shower is available only to First Class passengers. Because guests in the Residence have their own shower.
If you're just curious about what it's like to take a shower while flying or if you're booked in a First Class Apartment on Etihad, here's everything you should know before you use the Etihad First Class Apartment Shower.
1. Pick the Best Time
You should plan your shower time.
If your flight on the Etihad First Class apartment is full, with 9 other passengers possibly wanting to take a shower, choose an unpopular time. Such as when everyone else is sleeping.
On my flight from New York to Abu Dhabi, the best time was three hours before landing. Because it was early enough to avoid waiting or missing out on a shower. And it was before anyone was waking up for breakfast.
Pro-tip: Three hours before landing on long haul flights.
2. Toiletries
Leave your toiletries in your carry-on.
Individual sized shampoo, conditioner, body cleanser, and lotion from Omorovicza are provided.
Pro-tip: Unscrew the caps to release the air. then turn the bottles upside down.
3. Limited Space
Although larger than an RV or trailer shower, space is extremely limited in the Etihad First Class Apartment shower.
Both in the shower and in the bathroom.
There's a small shelf outside the shower to the right of the toilet. Just wide enough to place your brush, comb, and clean undergarments. You can hang your clothes on the hook on the back of the door.
Pro-Tip: Put your shoes and socks on in your apartment.
4. Five Minutes of Hot Water
You get five minutes of hot water.
But five minutes is long enough because the water heats up instantly. You won't come to close to using that much hot water if you take a military shower.
A military shower is where you turn the water on long enough to get your hair and body wet. Turn it off while you're lathering. Then turn the water on again to rinse off.
Note: The door has to be full closed to turn on the water.
Pro-tip: Turn off the water when you're washing your hair and body.
5. Fixed Shower Head
The shower head is fixed in the upper right corner of the shower.
You can't adjust the position nor intensity. However, the water pressure is perfect so having an adjustable shower head isn't necessary.
6. One Towel
A single towel to dry off is provided.
Whether this is standard or not I'm not sure. You might be able to ask for additional towels. But I didn't because the chef prepared my shower for me.
Yep, the chef made me a shower. The female flight attendants and butler were somewhere else on the plane when I decided to shower. The chef and another male Etihad employee were the only two crew members around. So the chef got the shower ready.
Pro-tip: If you use a wash cloth, pack one in your carry-on.
Conclusion
Your in-flight shower experience will be enhanced if you use these 6 tips before you use the Etihad First Class Apartment showers.
Choosing the right time to shower can mean the difference between getting a shower onboard and not. Toiletries and a towel are provided.
You get five minutes of hot water so maximize your time by taking a military shower. Because there isn't much room, only bring what you need into the bathroom. Save putting on your shoes and socks for your roomy apartment.
Stay tuned for my experience and review of the Etihad First Class Apartment shower.
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Hi Debra,
Good tips 😉 We flew Etihad coach from Bangkok to JFK, with a UAE layover. Brilliant airlines! Best I've flown. Not surprised you can rub a dub dub on flight when doing the first class bit LOL. Folks, do all you wish to do during low traffic times. This applies for everything on flights, especially those long haul jobs. I snack and use the rest room and take walks during times when almost all folks sleep. No waits. No traffic. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Haha - after reading your tips I wonder why you would bother. I find it kind of amusing that people will pay a fortune for a 'luxury' on a plane which they would take for granted at home or in a hotel room. What happens if you run out of hot water and you still have shampoo in your hair?
Wow, what will the airlines come up with next? I would have never guessed a shower on board a commercial airliner! It's pretty ingenious. I guess after paying the price for a First Class ticket they should have something special like this on long distance flights.
This seems like it is so far beyond my realm of consciousness. I saw a video of somebody playing in Emirates Air First Class. There was so many buttons and features but, he too, was fascinated with showering in flight. However, aren't these tickets like 20K USD? Oh the places I could go, no matter how smelly, for that kind of dough.
I never flew Etihad. Living in Dubai, taking a Etihad flight is quite inconvenient for an extra hour drive to the airport. Would love to try it out though one day in business or first!
Interesting tips! I have never had the luxury of showering on a plane! Sounds like there is quite an art to it though and you have to be quick! Helpful guide for those who plan to use it. I have such long hair it takes forever to wash out shampoo so I'm not sure if I could manage within 5 minutes!
Wow! The post really goes on to prove how you've mastered the art of traveling well for less. Little tips and tricks that only seasoned experience brings with it. Super!
I'd totally take a shower during a flight. Bathing is my first priority once I get off the plane, especially if it's longer than eight hours. Awesome idea for a post, especially the tip about the wash cloth.
Awesome, I would love to have a shower on a long haul flight. I don;t think it will happen any time soon I just don't see myself flying first class, although I would love to. This sounds wonderful and you provide some great tips!
I have never thought about the idea of taking a shower on a plane. But a chance to bath at 20000 feet....ohh yeah.
Definitely out of my budget but a useful feature for the minted business folks!
I usually travel business with my company and it's already too good.
Wow now that sounds like an interesting shower to try and use! Thank you for your tips.
I've never showered on a plane, but if I ever do, I'm glad to have all of these great tips, especially the one about the hot water only lasting for 5 minutes. I'd definitely have to take a military shower for sure.
Great tips.. I never flew Etihad but been on First Class multiple times with Air France, Delta and Singapore Airlines first class. I didn't really take advantage of the first class service, such as shower, etc because I was flying at night... I just slept during the flight... 🙁
Having a shower on air can really refresh you on long hail flights. I guess the 3 hours before landing time is a good time to shower as it will help you avoid the rush and keep you fresh when you land.
I cannot even IMAGINE a shower on a plane! But you have me intrigued and maybe one day (when I leave my kids at home) I will have this luxury! Love it!
The Etihad First Class Apartment Shower sounds so interesting. I flew to Paris earlier this year (and I'm going back in December) and it was only a nine hour flight so it wasn't that bad. I had a friend who flew to Sydney and it was a 23 hour flight so I know she would have loved to be able to shower.
I have never heard of a shower on a plane before. You have great tips, especially for making the most out of that five minutes of hot water.
Is it weird or bad that I've never heard of this shower before?
I have never seen a shower on a plane before!! This is great for those international flights and you are stuck on a plane for hours.
Is this real life?! Wow, I can't imagine taking a shower while on a plane but then again I am too poor to find out haha.
Wow this shower sounds like it would be amazing to have on a flight. I can't believe that they have such great accomadations on a flight.
I have never flown with Eitihad. Their first class sounds like a dream compared to my last long flight.
I've heard about this! In fact I've seen a video of a guy using one of those airplane showers and showcasing his private sleeping suite. That's some first class flying right there!
Well I've showered in my RV and it takes some maneuvering so I can imagine this is quite similar. Maybe one day I'll make a long journey in an airplane, sounds like an experience.
Thank you for sharing these tips. I have never been on a plane before, I didn't even know this was possible. How neat.
What a fancy flight. Most of the flight I go on do not serve meals much less have a shower. I would love to fly on this plane. Too coo.
Very good tips! I will make sure to keep these in mind. I've never tried flying with Emirates before.
Everyone whose flown with Eithad say its a great airline and didn't know you could shower on board but how cool
I can only dream of a shower on a plane. Too rich for my blood.
I haven't heard a shower on a plane, This is the first time that I heard this
I have never heard of showering in first class! I think I will just stick with showering before or after I am done flying. It is neat to see what they will come up with next though.
How cool! I have never taken a shower on an airplane before.
My hair is so long that I doubt I could get anything done in five minutes. Thanks for sharing about this though. Never even knew it was a thing.
Loving these tips. I've never showered on a plane but I'm sure these will come in handy soon.
great tips to turn it off! I've nvr experience to shower up on the air haha but probably a big hassle. my hair is too way long and thick. 5minutes won't even wet my hair I guess hehe It is a good idea for the business people
Well I didnt even know you could take a shower on a plane, hahaha I have flown quite a bit too. Never a private one. 🙂
Well, you do get all sorts of luxuries on First Class travel! I'd rather shower in the First Class/Business Class lounge though!
This is sounds interesting. I haven't try to have a shower on a plane
hahahah! well that's first class for you, regardless of the limited spacing they always want to include "exclusive" features. I actually wouldnt mind a shower on the plane especially if its a long one.
Although i'd imagine alot of couples would get "creative" with that feature lol
I flew Pearl Class on Etihad back in 2008 and it was magnificent! They didn't have showers then. I don't think I'd take advantage of this option because I am pretty slow in the shower, but it's great to know it's available if need be. Now that I've flown biz and1st class on several different airlines, I'd love to go back on Etihad and see how they measure up to my broader experience. Thx for the great post!
I don't know...LOL...the idea of showering on a plane, I have still not warmed up to at all
Very interesting post on a unique topic. We were wondering about shower shoes. Hopefully they are provided. It would be inconvenient to lug wet shower shoes around. And kinda gross to use a public shower with out them.
You have got some really smart tips out there...and an interesting read indeed!!
I always wonder how those people in 1st class live it up, but can't say I could ever commit that much cash towards the pleasure!
Think I'd prefer to save that money and put it towards more flights!
I had no idea that airlines had gone as far as to install showers! While I can see people using it, I've never been a first class traveler, so I am always in awe of what happens in those first class sections. Would be nice if one felt the need for sure 🙂
These are very comprehensive tips indeed but I don't know if I would go through the trouble..I'd just wait for landing and have a nice long hot shower in the hotel!
Great tips! Honestly, this is my first time to read apartment shower tips in blog post for Etihad Apartment. Amazing nonetheless.
That's really good to know! It's better to be prepared especially when it comes to these things!
Very informative post 🙂 I didn't even know that it's possible to take a shower on a plane 🙂