Emirates has been forced to scrap its first class cabin “shower attendants” on all UK-bound flights as they’re not technically crew, according to reports.
Dedicated shower attendants, who were not formally cabin crew and did not have the same training, had been a perk for first class passenger using the shower suites on Emirates A380 flights.
But UK Border Control has told the Dubai-based airline to remove these staffers from flights to British cities as it had a “restriction with entry of non-licensed crew”, One Mile at a Time reported.
This means Emirates Shower Spas will not be serviced by dedicated shower attendants on Emirates A380 flights to London, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester.
Shower attendants, who work full time on flights, tend to on-board shower facilities and ensure they are clean. According to One Mile, they don’t have the same training as cabin crew, are paid significantly less, and like passengers, they have to be seated when the seatbelt sign is on.
They also don’t have the same flying licences and special visas as members of the cabin and flight crew, which is understood to be the reason behind the UK’s decision.
Emirates used to have two shower attendants on ultra-long-haul flights but this has since reduced to one, according to the site.
RELATED: What it’s like to fly first class on Emirates A380s
They — along with the shower spas they service — have long been a perk for first class passengers on Emirates’ A380 aircraft.
Passengers book in their shower time — a maximum of 30 minutes — and get five minutes worth of water along with a range of bathroom products.
The floor of the shower room is heated and there are seats in case the plane hits turbulence.
Emirates and rival Etihad are the only airlines that offer in-flight showers.
