Which companies (and on which planes) have passenger bars, and the rules for going there
Recently, aboard Qatar's Doha-bound 777/300, the one with Qsuite, the best business cabin on board [...]
Virgin Atlantic
Star Alliance
SkyTeam
Oneworld
Recently, aboard Qatar's 777/300 towards Doha, The one with on board Qsuite, the world's best business class cabin, my seat neighbors stopped a flight attendant to ask if there was a bar on board where they could chat with friends.
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A question I never expected from Qsuite travelers and especially from 4 lucky ones who had snagged seats that, when the bulkheads were opened, became a real small private studio. The flight attendant apologized for the lack of such an "option" on board, but explained to the passengers how to turn their seats into a bar and everyone regained their smiles.
In a world, the world of air travel, where cm are more precious than in the Galleria in Milan's Piazza del Duomo, there are some companies that pamper their guests with optional extras such as showers, seats that become beds, and more. Among the various options that some airlines offer is precisely the bar. Of course, we are talking about amenities found only on large aircraft, mainly the A380s, but there are also those who have sacrificed space on smaller airplanes to create a space where passengers can socialize.
So here is a list of the few companies that allow passengers to have a drink in a lounge at 30,000 feet altitude.
Virgin Atlantic, the only one not using the A380
I start with the only company that has installed a social space on board a single-deck aircraft: I am talking about the lofts installed on board the entire fleet of the British company Virgin Atlantic: A350,A330/900neo and B787.
Depending on which model you fly in, you will have a different version of the bar. The most spacious is aboard the flagship the A350/1000: here is a large sofa and a couple of small couches where passengers can gather to drink and chat.
On older aircraft, such as B787s and A330/300s, there is a kind of counter where, during the flight, an attendant prepares cocktails for guests at the in-flight bar.
Even the new A330/900neo aircraft, which are entering service these months, there is a version of the loft, which is significantly smaller than that of the A350, but it is still a perfect space for not spending the entire flight sitting in the seat.
Access to these areas is allowed only to upper class passengers, as VS business is called.
Korean Air, the lounge on board A380s
Among the few carriers in the world still flying A380s is Korean Air. The Seoul-based airline offers a dedicated lounge for its most exclusive passengers, those flying first or business class-
As per tradition, this space is positioned at the tail end of the upper deck of the made-in-Europe giant. Korean's offerings are different than those of all other carriers, starting with the very clean and light design compared to the usual, matching cabin fittings.
Qantas A380 lounge
Qantas' A380s do not have their days numbered, or rather, compared to those of other airlines they should still be flying for a long time. Lucky, then, passengers on the upper deck of the giants with the kangaroo on the tail rudder will be able to continue to enjoy the lounge located at the front of the A380's upper deck.
Qantas' choice was to place this social space at the front, where other carriers have placed restrooms (and Emirates also placed showers). Spaces, then, where passengers would be unlikely to be placed, and in doing so the Australian carrier gave up nothing in terms of passenger seating, but placed two small sofas and a window/bar around the stairs leading to the main floor.
Qatar's bar
Qatar's lounge with attached bar will not be available for much longer. Or rather: Qatar wouldn't have even brought them back into service if it hadn't found itself without available planes. So the lounge for business class and first class passengers is also back.
Here during the flight, passengers can enjoy sweet and savory snacks and choose from the wine list what they prefer. The choice, however, is business class, even if traveling in first class.
Emirates bar
The most famous of all is that of Emirates, partly because it is the most numerous of all with over 90 planes with this option installed.
The bar is accessible to all business class and first class passengers throughout the flight. It stars in millions and millions of shots each year, as passengers are often invited to stand in the center of the bar for a souvenir photo.
Etihad will also return shortly
As of June 2023, Etihad's bar will also return to the air, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates will resume flying from Abu Dhabi to London with its A380, the one offering the iconic first-class passenger residence.
