The famous Emirates A380 onboard bar has re-opened, though I must say at first glance it looks more like a laboratory.
The Emirates A380 Laboratory Bar Re-Opens
Honestly, I saw the picture above and thought that Emirates was doing some COVID-19-related experiment. Maybe partnering with scientists to work on a vaccine or test.
But on second glance, I saw it was just the new bar service onboard. Indeed, Emirates finally re-opened its onboard bars last week. These are located only on the Airbus A380 on the upper deck behind business class. In times past, it was a social area where passengers could hang out and chat.
Now it will operate at zero capacity, meaning passengers will no longer be able to congregate in the bar (yeah, kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?). Instead, passengers can enter the bar to order drinks and then immediately take the drinks back to their seat. Snacks will be available as well and are now individually wrapped.
One Mile at a Time notes that with HEPA filters and passenger testing prior to boarding, the Emirates A380 bar is probably among the safest in the world in terms of indoor bars.
Anyway, if you are flying Emirates be sure to check out the lab, umm…bar. And for the life of me I can’t figure out why you would bother to go the bar to order a drink you are forced to consume in your seat when you can just as easily order it from a flight attendant. Perhaps Emirates should turn the area into a yoga zone…one passenger at at time, of course.
image: Emirates
I’m with you. The pictures really are a bit much. I suppose we should give them props for even trying, even if it does look like you’re ordering from some mad doctor.
Oh that’s not good l am used to that bar whenever I travel with A380 so sad but let me hope that it will resume soon good luck
Well I’d certainly check it out if that guy were the bartender.
LOL
“In times past, it was a social area where passengers could hang out and chat.”
In my experience it was a social area where the CREW could hang out and chat.
On my last Emirates A380 flight (from Dubai to Paris on March 15th), flight attendants took-over the bar and lounged around laughing, talking loudly, eating and drinking – as though it was their assigned break area. It wasn’t very professional. But then I’ve never been overly impressed by Emirates. Too many times I’ve been on the receiving end of that blank stare Emirates’ flight attendants are (in)famous for.
I totally agree with Kenneth, the Emirates staff are not very friendly and they are snobs. I am an ex employee of Emirates and I once flew Qatar airways in staff discounted travel the staff treated me with respect and humbleness thou they knew I was a staff travelling. That’s how Qatar trains thier staff in all category. It’s a shame and sad story about Emirates airlines they love to boast and keeping their pompous calibre. We seldom see good quality airline protocols and courtesies. My favourites are Qatar so far yet to experience Singapore as they boast the best.
I completely agree with your assessment of Qatar Airways, Husna. It is by far my preferred gulf carrier. I’ve flown them three times to South Africa; roundtrips from London, Paris and Montreal. That’s 12 sectors, and on each of them the cabin staff were exemplary. As a retired flight attendant – and F/A instructor – I can’t help observing and evaluating the performance of crewmembers on the aircraft I’m aboard, and I have the highest respect for the inflight standards and friendly onboard ambience maintained by Qatar Airways.
“Would you like a swab with your drink?” LOL
They could come out with some science themed cocktails to complete the illusion
It is amazing that this nonsense is still taken seriously world wide.
Considering that there is zero evidence the virus is transmitted by landing on food or drink, what in the world is the point of all the plastic wrap? It seems it’s purely window dressing; some sort of expected societal norm during a health crisis which serves only to calm irrational fears and nothing more. I’ll wait until the show is over and common sense has made a return to the premium cabin.