10 Of The Coolest Airplane Amenities In The World

10 Of The Coolest Airplane Amenities In The World

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It’s amazing to think how far aviation has come in just a bit over a century. 120 years ago the Wright Brothers set a record by flying 852 feet in just under a minute, and today we have double decker planes that can fly virtually anywhere in the world nonstop with some really awesome amenities.

I thought it would be fun to make a post with some of the airplane amenities that I like the most. This list is by no means comprehensive, but I figured I’d share 10 of my favorite airplane amenities… or perhaps some of them are “gimmicks,” more accurately. These are features that some airlines have which aren’t necessarily the most practical, but sure are cool!

Here we go, in no particular order…

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites double bed

While there are a lot of amazing first class products nowadays, there’s something really special about having a double bed on a commercial plane. In Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380 Suites you can have exactly that. Of the six first class seats, two sets of them can be combined to form a double bed. How cool is that?!

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites double bed

Emirates A380 first class shower suite

I don’t usually get excited about taking a shower… except when flying on Emirates. Emirates Airbus A380 first class has two individual shower suites, so that passengers can take showers inflight. I’ve been fortunate to shower on the A380 many times, yet each time I still get giddy, as showering at 35,000 feet never gets old.

Emirates A380 first class shower suite

Emirates 777 first class virtual windows

Emirates’ new Boeing 777 first class features what I consider to be the world’s best first class product, as the cabin has six fully enclosed first class suites. In terms of amenities, I think the coolest and most ridiculous aspect of these seats must be that the two center suites have virtual windows.

That’s right, they don’t have real windows (since they’re in the middle of the cabin), but rather have virtual windows. I hate to say it, but I actually think I prefer virtual windows to real windows. Partly for the novelty, and partly because there are some other benefits to them (less glare, being able to make the suite 100% dark, etc.).

Emirates 777 first class virtual windows

Emirates 777 first class video room service

Admittedly Emirates is getting a lot of love here, but I guess Emirates just does amenities and gimmicks really well. In first class you should expect good service, but Emirates takes it to the next level when it comes to ordering stuff.

While most airplanes have call buttons at each seat, Emirates’ new Boeing 777 first class gives passengers the option to order room service via their tablet. Not only can you voice call the crew in the galley, but you can even video call the crew.

Emirates 777 first class room service

Qatar Airways A380 business class bar

Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380s have a gorgeous bar on the upper deck, available to business class and first class customers. Here you can enjoy cocktails, mocktails, wine, soft drinks, etc., all while mingling with fellow passengers.

For what it’s worth, Emirates also has a bar on its A380s, though I figured I should spread the love a bit, and mention Qatar Airways’ offering, in this case.

Qatar Airways A380 business class bar

Korean Air A380 business class lounge

While several airlines have onboard bars, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air takes a different approach with its Celestial Bar. There’s a big lounge area in the back of the Korean Air A380 business class cabin, which features quite a bit of seating and lots of bright lights. What’s odd is that you can’t order most drinks here, but rather just some signature cocktails, in partnership with Absolut.

Korean Air A380 business class lounge

American 777 first class swiveling seats

Okay, you’re probably surprised to see me include a US airline on the list, but there is one thing I love about the American 777 first class seats. One of the cool things is that you can swivel your seats 90 degrees, and then have them face the windows. There’s even a little desk that can be extended. If you’re going to need to work during your flight, this is a pretty unbeatable view!

American 777 first class swiveling seat

EVA Air Hello Kitty flights

I love when a company chooses a theme and sticks to it, and there’s no greater example of that in the airline industry than EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flights, operating select frequencies in some markets. No, it’s not just that these planes are painted in special Hello Kitty liveries, but quite literally everything about the experience is Hello Kitty themed, from the flight attendant uniforms, to the food, to the toilet paper.

EVA Air Hello Kitty service

ANA & JAL bidet toilets

Both All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airline (JAL) have bidet-style toilets on most of their long haul planes. This isn’t just in first and business class, but also in economy. Aside from Emirates A380 first class, this is as close as you’ll get to showering on a plane. 😉

All Nippon Airways bidet controls

Saudia 777 prayer room

I’m not sure I’d call this a “cool” amenity, per se, but it is a unique amenity that sets Saudia apart from other airlines. Some of Saudia’s Boeing 777s have a prayer room at the very back of the cabin. With airlines constantly trying to maximize how efficiently space is utilized, this is a not-insignificant investment from the airline.

Saudia 777 prayer room

Bottom line

The airline experience sure has come a long way, and nowadays there are some amenities that would have seemed inconceivable a few decades back. From bars, to showers, to double beds, to bidet-style toilets, that are some cool experiences that can be had in the air.

What’s your favorite airplane amenity?

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  1. St James Guest

    You mentioned Korean but went straight to the bar. What about the dedicated on board duty free shop at the back??

  2. iamhere Guest

    The bar on Korean Air is not odd. The alcohol brand is probabably paying for it.

    Hello Kitty or other themes is either a like or hate idea. If it is only the painting of the plane that's one thing but if it is on everything then it is too much.

    Your ending comment I disagree with. The airline industry has not come a long way in many aspects. The flying experience used to have...

    The bar on Korean Air is not odd. The alcohol brand is probabably paying for it.

    Hello Kitty or other themes is either a like or hate idea. If it is only the painting of the plane that's one thing but if it is on everything then it is too much.

    Your ending comment I disagree with. The airline industry has not come a long way in many aspects. The flying experience used to have a lot more luxury and airlines did not look for ways to cut corners and make as much profit as possible.

    Judging from the comments seems like you missed many but I guess this was another paid promotion anyway.

  3. Bill n DC Guest

    Yea for the AA Swivel Seat.
    Long May it swivel.
    Just put a July 24 DCA SYD in 1K for 141,000 miles on hold - where’s the AA 100K QR First to Doha.
    May do SQ Suites to FRA the LH home to IAD
    Last month’s AA flight dropped to 90,000 before departure plus bad engine turned nighttime flight into daytime. Win Win

    1. Bill n DC Guest

      Actually switched to fly SYD DOH DXB in QR 1st for 225,000 Avios. Then 102,000 EK for 1st to FRA with ‘new’ suites First for me, finally!
      Home via LH B747-8i 1K For 91,000 LH

      First Round the World in 2013. 265,000 AA miles DCA ORD SFO HKG SIN HKG JBN CPT LHR DFW DCA Back when swivel seats were new ;-)

      Next July RTW 550,000+. Yikes!

      Although lots more signup bonuses...

      Actually switched to fly SYD DOH DXB in QR 1st for 225,000 Avios. Then 102,000 EK for 1st to FRA with ‘new’ suites First for me, finally!
      Home via LH B747-8i 1K For 91,000 LH

      First Round the World in 2013. 265,000 AA miles DCA ORD SFO HKG SIN HKG JBN CPT LHR DFW DCA Back when swivel seats were new ;-)

      Next July RTW 550,000+. Yikes!

      Although lots more signup bonuses now days.

      Next visionary trip. ANA 1st to HND then CX 1st to HKG. then QR 1st on CX metal. Home via Etihad DreamLiner 2K

    2. Merry Chris Moss Guest

      Swivel seats weren't new in 2013. AA had them in 2001 at least. Could rotate 180 degrees to face the person behind you and the four seats in the middle could turn into an easy business discussion for four since the barriers went down.

  4. GringoLoco Gold

    How could you leave out Aerolineas Argentinas' business class faxing? SMH

  5. Jim Guest

    I think Qatar's quad QSuite setup is quite unique and great for families.

  6. Mick Guest

    Don’t forget the etihad a380 shower! And I might say rhe old sg a380 first class was a better double bed than the new a380.

    Great article btw. Lot of fun

  7. tda1986 Diamond

    Interesting to see the American 777 first class swiveling seats on the list. Your review of the seat was mostly negative, including the lack of privacy from the aisles. Presumably the swivel would be impossible if there were more of a barrier with the aisle. So the question is: Does the cool factor of the swivel outweigh the reduced privacy?

  8. D3kingg Guest

    So a Saudia prayer room on a 777 is a poor investment yet a business class lounge bar isn’t ? Way to discriminate when you accuse others of it quite often.

    1. snic Diamond

      He said it is a "not-insignificant investment". That does not imply a value judgment.

    2. tda1986 Diamond

      I'm guessing D3kingg never fared well on the reading comprehension portion of standardized tests.

    3. D3Kingg Guest

      @tda1986

      Nope. Aced the GMAT’s

      @snic

      Ok , He can sugar coat it all he wants in a polite way but doesn’t bring up the same issue with mention of onboard lounges.

    4. Fenspinbi Guest

      Lucky doesn't understand the reason for that prayer space, and how the loss of onboard space pales in comparison to the spiritual and psychological value for Muslims who would rather pray on time, as is prescribed (can't be delayed because it's merely inconvenient). I daresay the same regarding similar amenities on board El Al for observant Jews. It's missing the forest for the trees; many people can't help but take a reductionist view in mere...

      Lucky doesn't understand the reason for that prayer space, and how the loss of onboard space pales in comparison to the spiritual and psychological value for Muslims who would rather pray on time, as is prescribed (can't be delayed because it's merely inconvenient). I daresay the same regarding similar amenities on board El Al for observant Jews. It's missing the forest for the trees; many people can't help but take a reductionist view in mere dollars and cents. I flew Saudia on the way to Hajj, and most of the passengers on board were VERY appreciative for that space and the absence of alcohol, and I've always had a soft spot for the airline ever since, despite its other flaws.

      Conversely, onboard (or airport) bars have no value to me whatsoever, as I don't drink out of principle, and choose not to be in those spaces, so to each their own.

  9. Ethan Guest

    You DON'T want to use the bidet on airplane, unless you can forget how the "wand" where water comes out looks like.

  10. GroeneMichel Gold

    How could you miss the LH A380 urinal!

  11. Andrew Guest

    Middle seats in AA first class can spin to face each other for a nice couples dining experience!

  12. Kendall Guest

    The golden showers on Air India business class are another way to shower on a plane

    1. Henry Guest

      I must say I have a hard time to realize what it is until I do! Hahaha

    1. Peter Guest

      Squirtle or TMNTs?

      ANA HND to SFO/NYC/LHR starts the new Eevee jet next week. Like the EVA Hello Kitty, with on board, boarding pass, etc. type amenities.

  13. JK Guest

    I'd have to add Etihad's The Residence bed and private bathroom with shower. I know there are only 1 of them per aircraft but surely it's worth of a mention, especially now that it is back after such a long downtime.

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JK Guest

I'd have to add Etihad's The Residence bed and private bathroom with shower. I know there are only 1 of them per aircraft but surely it's worth of a mention, especially now that it is back after such a long downtime.

5
tda1986 Diamond

I'm guessing D3kingg never fared well on the reading comprehension portion of standardized tests.

3
tda1986 Diamond

Interesting to see the American 777 first class swiveling seats on the list. Your review of the seat was mostly negative, including the lack of privacy from the aisles. Presumably the swivel would be impossible if there were more of a barrier with the aisle. So the question is: Does the cool factor of the swivel outweigh the reduced privacy?

2
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