Emirates has made significant strides in catering to the plant-based diets of its passengers, serving over 400,000 vegan meals annually. The airline not only meets the needs of its growing vegan clientele but also sees an increasing number of non-vegan passengers opting for these lighter, easier-to-digest meal choices during their flights. With a commitment to offering diverse options, Emirates has crafted an impressive repertoire that includes more than 300 uniquely designed vegan dishes.
Expanding Vegan Offerings
As part of its ongoing efforts to highlight the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, particularly during the Veganuary initiative, Emirates chefs have been experimenting with innovative ingredients. For instance, they have tested a remarkable solid egg substitute made entirely from legumes, incorporating it into dishes like spicy shakshuka. The airline has also started using a premade vegan pastry sheet to create savory vegan cannelloni, enhancing its culinary offerings to delight plant-based eaters on board.
Diverse Menu of Plant-Based Products
With a selection exceeding 300 vegan recipes, Emirates ensures its passengers enjoy a variety of plant-based options on flights to 140 destinations worldwide. The airline sources high-quality ingredients from various global suppliers, including:
- Plant-based proteins from Beyond Meat in California
- Soybean protein from the UAE and Singapore brand Arlene
- Pressed tofu from Japan’s Qian Ye
- Organic dark vegan chocolate from Linnolat in France
- Vegan margarine from Meister Marken in Germany
- Vegan curry paste from Pantai in Thailand
- Almond milk from Italy’s Koita
Moreover, Emirates integrates sustainability into its offerings, utilizing fresh produce sourced from Bustanica, the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm. This facility, a collaboration with Emirates Flight Catering, provides pesticide-free leafy greens like lettuce and spinach directly to Emirates’ catering operations.
Options for Every Taste
In an effort to enhance the passenger experience, Emirates recently introduced individual servings of vegan milk for coffee and tea in Economy and Premium Economy classes, with over 30,000 customers opting for this choice each month. The airline’s commitment to providing great vegan meals extends beyond the traditional menu; even children can indulge in flavorful options like vegan pizza, sweet and sour vegetable casserole, and vegan chocolate pudding.
Available for both pre-order and on-request during the flight, Emirates’ vegan meals cater to a wide array of taste preferences. Passengers can make their selections up to 24 hours before departure, and on popular routes, some dishes are included in the main menu. This flexibility ensures that everyone can savor the airline’s extensive vegan cuisine.
Culinary Excellence Across Classes
Serving over 400,000 plant-based meals each year, Emirates showcases its commitment to culinary excellence across all travel classes. In Economy class, patrons can enjoy dishes like crêpes filled with sautéed vegetables or curried vegetable puffs. Premium Economy offers sumptuous options such as braised mushrooms in five-spice soy sauce and desserts like raspberry tonka mousse cake.
Business class elevates the dining experience with creatively curated dishes, including Thai red curry tofu with aromatic gravy, while First class delights with exquisite dishes like creamy polenta cake and sophisticated desserts that balance flavors like rhubarb and chocolate.
Emirates continues to impress with its extensive offerings in vegan meals, creating a dining experience that caters to a diverse array of dietary preferences. By serving more than 400,000 plant-based meals annually, the airline not only enhances passenger satisfaction but also contributes positively to the growing demand for vegan cuisine in the aviation sector.