Emirates has announced plans to become the first airline to offer private en suite bathrooms in first-class suites. President Tim Clark confirmed the development during a video call at the 2026 Capa Airline Leader Summit in Berlin, stating he is working on installing bathrooms in first-class cabins.
Clark said he wanted the news to prompt others to explore how they can also provide such amenities. The UAE flag carrier currently offers first-class cabins on its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, with passengers enjoying fine dining, an onboard shower spa, and a lounge bar.
Emirates describes its first-class experience as a “private hotel room in the sky”, featuring temperature controls, mood lighting, and leather seating inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. If successful, the airline would become the first commercial carrier to install private bathrooms for every first-class passenger.
Elsewhere, Air New Zealand is set to launch bunk beds for economy passengers on ultra-long-haul flights between New York and Auckland. Bookings for the “Skynest” seats open on 18 May, with travel from November, offering a modern take on in-flight sleeping arrangements not limited to premium travellers.
