How many times have you found yourself on a long-haul flight, whether in business class or economy (which I fondly call ‘cargo class’), dreaming of a refreshing shower just before touchdown at destination? And those minute hot towelettes never seem to be big enough to even wipe your brow. Yet if you have US$14,000/€8,997 at hand, make sure you pack your personal towel onboard because that is exactly what you’ll be doing on Emirate’s brand new Dubai-New York route aboard its palatial Airbus A380.

Last Friday marked its maiden voyage across the Atlantic, and the 800-capacity flight was packed down to its last leather seat (credit crunch anyone?). Aside from being kitted out with a bar (perfect for grabbing a midnight snack) and sky lounge, there are 14 private suites that come complete with fresh flowers, a mini-bar, a 23” wide screen tv, and a divan-bed of course. The real treat, however, has got to be the plane’s two shower spas that are fitted with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a sign outside their doors which reads ‘Permitted Entry for Up to 2 People Only’ (which in my mind is as good enough as saying ‘Welcome to the Mile High Club’).

As the plane begins its descent into JFK and the Manhattan skyline comes into view, passengers are reminded to fasten their seatbelts. And as you sit back into your (very comfortable) seat, you may choose to watch the landing from three different angles on the screen in front of you: from the tail, from the cockpit or from the underside of the plane. With you showered and rested, it’s now time to hit the streets of the city that most definitely never sleeps.

Image courtesy of La Repubblica