Airline to offer in-flight showers on Dubai-NZ route

A few passengers on some flights to New Zealand will get an opportunity to join the "mile-high club" - the mile-high shower, that is.

Passengers travelling to and from New Zealand on Emirates new Airbus 380 planes will be offered the first in-flight showers to be made available on a commercial aircraft.

But only first-class passengers will be allowed in the cubicles and they will have just five minutes each under the water jets.

The shower areas will have heated flooring, leather seating and display screens inside the showers showing flight progress and live pictures from the aircraft's tail. Lights will warn bathers how much time they have left in the shower.

The innovation was announced as Emirates tries to beat rival Singapore Airlines, which offered private cabins and double beds when it started flying A380 planes last year.

Emirates took delivery on Monday of the first of its 58 superjumbos.

- NZPA