@Wegmans: Do you not read the writeup? Do you just look at the pretty pictures and go oooohh and ahhhh?

transzoo

i think i read that the showers would cost somewhere int he 10,000's. frickin' rich arabs...

dedalus987

Unless that flight attendant is about 6'2", it looks like there's no way that I would be able to shower in that. (Not that I will ever be able to afford the opportunity.)

I think that I would feel like one of those canned cheeseburgers in that shower, anyhow.

Mooby

Rolling my eyes about veils for flight attendants.

Curves

But can more than one person go in there at a time?

Wegmans

Extra fuel for an extra 1,000 lbs of water? Why would they do that? Airbus lists max take off wt at 560 tons. It doesn't matter if that's fuel, water, people or whatever. It takes the same amount of fuel to move it.

yelraf

@Curves: Veils? It's a friggin scarf attached to a hat. It's a fashion statement more than a religious statement.

Samifumi

Considering many of the people using this will be paying with oil money, I don't think "environmental conscience" will be playing a big part.

notfred

@Gunadz: I second that. 14 people using the same shower in the course of a flight? (Assuming all 14 want to shower on a plane.) And if you can't get your freak on in the shower stall (with someone else - that's another thing, what if the person before you just waxed one off onto the shower door or something,) then really, what's the point? Is a first class passenger really that dirty that he/she HAS to shower on the plane? If they are going to anywhere but the U.S. or Japan, a shower isn't exactly required anyways.

Hectorvex

I'm just curious as to how long it'll take this thing to become as disgusting as most aircraft lavs.

Gunadz

@Curves: don't you think you are being condescending?
the veil is not really covering them, how is it essentially different from a neck scarf?

if nothing else, i think it is a good attempt at modernizing their tradition.

mister_s

@Everyone: No one wants to get into a discussion about women's rights in the Muslim world. Is this a symbol of oppression? Who knows.

It's not on the same level as female circumcision (probably the most f**ked up practice going on abroad) or even a burqa. And yes, UAE is better than most. Still, making women cover themselves is paternalistic at best and misogynistic at worst.

Colonel Panic

@Mooby: She does look rather man-ish. Maybe she(?) is over 6'2"

Geisrud

@Curves: I don't know if you have been flying much lately, but I wouldn't feel bad if every flight attendant, male or female, was wearing a veil.

Those pissed off scowls, those "I wan't you to die in a fire" looks they have for anyone who asks them for something. Not to mention that I don't the airlines are trying too hard to find people easy on the eyes anymore.

zenpoet

@mister_s: I dont mean to be condescending, I actually feel pity for women in the middle east, even in a relatively progressive country like the UAE. I know how hard it is for a woman to earn a living in a so called "free and equal society", I cant even imagine the hurdles muslim women face.

Curves

i call shotgun!!

malcs

Is she wearing a turban? Get an Air Marshall! Shoot her! I scared.

Just kidding.

I'd hit that.

Colonel Panic

-_- ... this turned out to be a women discussion, anyways am living in UAE and iam arab and no one is forced to wear anything in here any woman can wear whatever she wants, and its not only arab muslim women who wear that uniform, any flight attendant woman do no matter whats her religion.

zixyon

if the plane crashes at least you will be clean...

WD40

@Curves: so do i. but what the woman is wearing is a scarf. i see no reason or benefit of rolling your eyes for that!

Being overcritical isn't going to help.

mister_s

Limited space and only 5 minutes of water. I don't think many people are going to be getting their freak on in there.

Scott

It's one of those 5 minutes Navy showers. As expected.

jabber

@frigg: I'd rather rather be on a plane with clean people in first-class than with unclean people in coach.

Has anyone tested the drainage system to see whether it's snake-proof?

Colonel Panic

Showers exist on business jets so its not too surprising to see it on a high end airliner. They are paying for that extra fuel so I suppose people will use it!

Chese

As a weight issue, the 1,000 pounds is probably offset by the number of passengers displaced by the extra space afforded to first class.

Perhaps a design that wouldn't displace others would use body fluids produced in-flight by other travelers to clean the bodies of first class passengers?

frigg

@chamychan: Let's get our terminology right - at least by Middle East standards.

The people flying Emirates Air are not rich. At least not by UAE standards. Even the ones in first-class. They're middle class by UAE standards. They are rich by US FY2008 with a depressed dollar, record annual trade deficit, and record levels of both national and consumer debt.

Who's rich by UAE standards? Here's a hint: they don't fly on commercial airlines.

Colonel Panic

@Gunadz:
@Hectorvex:

Well I have flown first class a couple of times with British Airways here are my thoughts. In the First class cabin there is an attend for every two passengers. They are attentive, make your bed and serve you when you please. I am assuming that after every shower use, the shower will be sanitized and left in good condition. Everytime I fly FIRST with BA the bathrooms are in perfect order, I have never and I mean never seen so much as a piece of paper towel on the floor. When you pay upwards of $19k you get $19k worth of service. I fly JFK - CPT in First. Check BA.com

Flight: Departing John F Kennedy (New York), 31 Jul 2008
Total price (US Dollars, USD, $) $19,431.77
Check your flight itinerary details

zimstyles

mister_S:

"so-called free and equal society?"

I don't think the UAE even pretends that it is free and equal.

meropealcyone

@Scott:

no actually you can still get your freak on...

just shower after you're done.

chamychan

@yelraf: Sure that's the max weight but it's not like every flight weighs that much. They only put in as much fuel as they need to move the weight. Extra water = extra fuel

BarkoNorwang

rich people are not gonna say to themselves in the middle of showering that oops i only have 2 mins left, better hurry up... they are most likely covered in latter at the end of that pitiful 5 mins, oh that is a scene i want to behold haha
raging first-class passenger pinned down by air marshals

chamychan

@mister_s:
It is a loophole. The folks who designed the uniform weren't thinking, "hey, let's give the attendants scarves. And you know what would be really cool? Get this: we'll hook the scarves from a turban. That is HOT!!: The whole reason for that 'scarf' is that the woman is expected to wear a veil. Curves is right: it's a fucking veil.

Slartibartfast

@Ramonskito: I don't think you need to worry about that since many body parts and bodies will be without clothing anyway. The force of the crash will always strip clothing away from some bodies.

Noobs-R-Us

I'm sorry, but even with 1st class passengers, that room will be scankier than a $2 hooker in a Tijuana whore house after so many people use it.

No thanks.

Noobs-R-Us

While you people have been busy throwing a fit over the status of women in the Middle East, I've been thinking about how awkward it would be if the plane crashed and they recovered some naked body from the shower.

Ramonskito

Man, no mile high club inthe shower = fail :(

it was one of those things I always wanted to try

Fused7

If that girl is the one I'm trying to shower with, I think we could fit.

Lupison

@Everyone, my apologies to Kit (the author), I had no intention of starting a holy war, really. The comment was a knee jerk reaction to a picture that struck an emotional cord in me, thats all.
Thank goodness no one else at Giz comments from the heart and says controversial stuff......imagine the flame wars. ;)

Curves

For treating women like a donkey that is...

Noobs-R-Us

I guess the only people on this thread defending the veil are middle eastern men who think women are property like a donkey. Call it for what it is, a veil trying to be disguised as a scarf so that the westerners don't think you're disgustingly uncivilized.

Noobs-R-Us

Forget the second picture, can someone please tell me what religion/organization requires the wearing of the cute linen pants, thin white t-shirt, and well-moisturized skin in the first picture! Because that's something I can get behind!

92BuickLeSabre

Crap, that was meant to be a general comment directed at everyone, not just Curves. Oops.

shoeless

@Curves: I've flown Emirates several times and have not seen any of their flight attendants wear veils over their face.

shoeless

Wow, so much hate to islamic practices....full of ourselves much?

I'm not islamic, but I defend ANYONE'S right to believe what they want to believe. It's not any other country or culture's responsibility to cast judgement on another.

If you don't agree with another person's practices, then don't practice them, but you can't judge or condemn the other person because they do.

That said....even at my scientifically determined ideal weight I would not be able to squeeze myself into such a tiny shower. It would still feel like showering in the sink, albeit a slightly larger sink.

TendoMentis

@zixyon: are you from UAE?, can i be your friend? I want to know someone when I visit the UAE.. hehe ^_^

EL_RIEL

@92BuickLeSabre: looks like crissy moran or kyla cole.

and if you know who they are, they are definitely an organization worth getting "behind"!

Parapraxis

@Slartibartfast: i do agree that raising it up to the hat does make it closer to a veil. but it is not covering anything. so technically it is not a veil. such things ( as covering the face with a veil ) have been a part of their culture for so long that they become traditional "ornaments"( in this case a way of dressing ). if they modify it to not cover the face( the original intent ) and maintain it iconic for the middle east, i consider it good( solely from the dress point of view, plz don't extend it to the actual condition of the women there ). why should they be expected to loose their identity\culture completely in order to be accepted by us?( again only limited to the dress )
besides i don't think the underlying intend of the design was chauvinism, since she is also wearing a skirt. for all you know the designer might have been a woman.

mister_s

Oh now this is just morbidly obese.

bobx3

I just bathe myself in sweat whilst on a plane...doesn't seem to bother the other passengers in coach, as it just makes me fit in with them even more!

Chromeo

@Mooby: On a related note, peeing in that shower would end up as a self-inflicted golden shower.

I guess this about uses up the number of times that I will type "golden shower" today and hopefully in this lifetime.

Mooby

Dammit! I had put a fake tag in as "[feigning innocence]" at the end of my post, and it didn't show up.

I don't really want a golden shower. Really.

Mooby

For as much as it costs, and as lavish as they want to make this experience, I would expect a golden shower on such a flight.

Mooby

normal airplane crapper rooms are smaller....and ppl still join the mile high club in them ;)...

urbanturban666

@Wegmans: Ooooh you got "first" but you didn't read the article. Let me guess, you're American, I can smell my own kind.

Chester_Copperpot

@zenpoet: That's what happens when you have terrible things like equal opportunity employment and age discrimination come into play in the hiring of flight attendants. The days of the young, sexy stewardess are gone. Instead we have old bitchy hags fighting with people to turn off their phones.

Hey airline managers, here's a clue, when a young sexy woman asks anyone to do anything with a smile -- people do it. If a young, sexy stewardess asks me to jump out of the plane to lighten the load, I'd do it just to impress her. If an old bag asks me, I'd be like, fuck that, I'm throwing your wrinkly ass out.

GeekyNerdGuy

Dont forget that to get anything on needs two (admittedly small) people, that means 10minutes of precious precious water. Should be enough time....

broadsword

Muslims are like Baptists -- they're only offended by scantily clad women if there are two or more present. (Muslims/Baptists, not scantily clad women.)

GeekyNerdGuy

Wow, when did Giz get all religious, lol.

@Curves, that knee jerk reactions is what's wrong with people today. Instead of thinking before talking/writting. First of all that is hardly even remotely connected to the islamic veil. At most it would be an ornament, as someone said, to show some cultural aspect. Have you seen the other flight attendants from other airlines. Lufthansa has those yellow, or whatever scarves, the italians have their flag colors in their uniforms.
Secondly, did you not notice the short-short skirt and the oh not so subtle cut on the side. I'm sure that would be very much appreciated by the islamic people.

Lastly, just wanted to rant about who the hell are we to say what they should and shouldn't wear. When did we become the default culture/dress etiquette for the world. And Curves, how do you know that the women in ME are being oppressed and told what to wear. In Turkey the government doesn't allow veiled women to enter public buildings or attend universities, and yet more and more of them decide to wear the veil anyway. And I'm talking middle class here not the rural in-the-middle-of-nowhere village. How about here in US and EU, are the women here being oppressed as well?
Lets just respect other people's beliefs and maybe they will moderate them instead of antagonize them and put them on the defensive, which would make anyone even more nationalistic/patriotic.

As for the topic, wish I had 20K burning my pocket.

Lorenc

@dedalus987: wtf? anyways...looks like its for small short people o.o. What is the height limit? 5'5? lol

jonbaird77

... and the rest of cheaptickets.com passangers get a bag full of Costco fresh baby wipes to clean themselves in the regular can...

... Hurray!

aec007

I have a few problems with the whole concept of first-class only flights like these:

1) You don't get to give the poor folk a condescending stare as they walk past into coach

2) Everyone is the same, so you don't feel anything special about your new status... you didn't get to skip ahead in line, or get treated better

3) There isn't gonna be anything holding god back from crashing the plane (no babies, expecting mothers, nuns, etc)...

hardatk

@aec007: I only use Summer's Eve body wipes to freshen up!

GeekyNerdGuy

1100 lbs of water = 131 gallons.

While added water weight does increase fuel consumption, 1100 lbs is not going to impact it very much.

Along those same lines, airlines had a thought to have passengers pay by their weight. I'd agree to this, but if they want to treat us as freight, then we want freight prices. Last I checked, it cost about $250 to ship 200 lbs just about anywhere.

thebear91

@Lorenc: I think you should wear mittens. That way I wouldn't have to read your prattle.

zenpoet

@Hectorvex: If you're a businessman and need to look decent for the meeting and might not have enough time to stop by the hotel to freshen up, this might be enough to get by.

bluemonq

@hardatk:
with regards to number two you can jump the line and go to the first class check in line.

@bluemonq:
Most modern airlines have an arrivals lounge where they will sort out your clothes feed you and you can take a shower.

zimstyles

It seems like an easy way to increase shower time would be to allow unlimited showering with re-heated, re-circulated water (from your own shower--not other people's. It would be sort of like taking a bath. Would start with clean water, you could then use unlimited recirculated water to lather up.. or do whatever, then pull a lever and switch to clean water to rinse at the end.

srw

If you've ever joined the mile-high club, you would know that squeezing two people into a normal coach lavatory (and then satisfactorily squeezing one person into another) is on the difficult side. The size of that "shower spa", though, is huge - and you get to shower the sex off of you when you are done!

Once again, here's to the Arab world leading the way in sexual freedom!

JacquesAss

@thebear91: That's a great idea! But on second thought, the extra money we pay is for our baggage, service, food (ok, pretzels) and (relatively) comfortable seats... I mean, to be truly treated as freight would mean: no food/drink, we'd all be stuffed in boxes/crates and stored in a non-climate-controlled interior, sitting on a hard steel floor, strapped down so we don't shift too much... ouch.

Ok... I'm just giving you a hard time... I do like your idea, especially since many airlines are now charging fees based on excessive luggage weight. It would be added incentive for everyone to shed a couple pounds at least.

@ the general public:Doesn't anyone think it's freaking amazing that we have such convenient travel capabilities in the first place? I know this is a bleeding edge tech blog, but let's be serious... the fact that most of us can afford to FLY to another part of the WORLD is amazing in and of itself! Sure luxury would be nice, but let's get real... it's a handful of hours in a steel tube… how comfortable can it possibly get? Is the money really worth it? (I know, in some cases it is)... if you had 20k burning a hole in your pocket, wouldn't you rather spend it on something better?

Kaveh

You know what gets me? People talking about things they have no clue about.
As an American living in the UAE and working for Emirates I have pretty good knowledge of the subjects at hand. First off, the women in this country have better lives than most women living in the US. Most don't have to work if they don't want to. These ladies spend their days in the salons, the cafe with their friends, or at the malls buying clothes most of us would have to save months for. Most of them have nannies to help look after their children. Yes they wear an Abaya, but most the Abaya does not cover their faces. It will cover their hair down to their ankles. I think they look rather nice as most are very elaborate with decorations. I'm not saying I agree with it but the idea is saving what's underneath for your family and friends to see only. When these ladies come to a party they take it off and are dressed to the nine and when they leave they slip it back on. It's not hurting anyone. Here in the UAE the government pays for both its women and men to be educated. Women hold good jobs and are promoted to very high levels. I commend the leaders of this country for having an open mind and for taking advanced steps to improve the quality of life for both men and women. When you compare it to say that of Saudi it is worlds apart. The people in this country are good people. They are peaceable, friendly and well educated. They still have areas for improvements but this is a young country that's doing more for its people than our government in the US is doing for us. And to all the oil money comments, go inform yourself about places like Dubai. The oil has pretty much dried up here. This economy is one of the last bull markets left in the world and it's not fueled by oil.

The next subject of the head scarf. OMG people get off your high horse. It's a scarf for decoration only. Our female crew love wearing it. Most of them choose to fly for Emirates just to wear that famous hat. If it was a veil they would not take it off when they are on board as that is what they do. The main goal is to give people a feel of modern Arabia and to bring back the glam and class that flying used to have. It works. When we walk thru an airport the attention these ladies get is amazing. Sometimes they have to fight off people wanting to take photos with them. Go back and look at photos of cabin crew from the golden age of flying. They wore hats and scarves. Since most of our crew's average age is 25 and are selected very carefully and must maintain a certain image and weight they are very different crew than the ones you poor guys have to deal with in other countries. Maybe you that have not flown this amazing airline with get lucky one day and experience Emirates and our beautiful crew that come from over 120 different countries.

As for the bathrooms on board Emirates... I was talking to an American the other day who had flown Emirates and he could not stop talking about how clean the 8 economy lavatories were on board. How impressed he was that the crew checked them and cleaned them every 20 min. As for the A380, the airline has hired two Spa Attendants for each aircraft and their only job is to clean and ready the spa after every use. People this airline has not won over 300 awards for excellence for nothing. Stop comparing Emirates to the crap airlines that fill your skies and please try to understand something before you talk about it. You will look a lot less ignorant.

ifly2Dubai

I have to agree about Emirates... In the last month I have flown Emirates RT BKK-DUBAI-NYC and also RT HKG to BKK. To be honest their service, politeness and physical appearance, as well as things like the food and bev service and the quality of their aircraft( new planes, awesome entertainment system even in economy, etc.) blow away my home hub carrier Cathay Pacific (which is pretty good in itself). Funny thing is, on the NYC flight, i had to connect on Delta. Talk about wanting to vomit! Not only did they cancel 2 flights in a 24 hour period (I was delayed by them a full 24 hours missing my emirates connection, and they refused to accept any responsibility whatsoever) but when you fly with them you are treated to ragged old hags with severe attitudes! I guess this must be the result of unionization or something... never put the old dogs out of their misery! Flying an american airline after living abroad for an extended period can really cause one to feel a bit of shame (not to mention anger frustration and a bunch of other unpleasant emotions).

dhart001