As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, UAE airlines Emirates and Etihad are stepping up to enhance the travel experience for passengers by serving up traditional Ramadan dishes. Both airlines offer unique culinary delights that reflect the rich heritage of Arabic cuisine, ensuring that those observing Ramadan can break their fast with authentic and delicious meals. Whether in the air or at the airport, travelers will find an array of iftar options, making their journey both enjoyable and culturally fulfilling.
Emirates is catering to fasting passengers by providing thousands of meal boxes both onboard and at boarding gates, alongside an enticing selection of traditional Ramadan dishes in its lounges. At the Emirates Lounges located in Dubai International Airport (DXB), guests can enjoy a delightful assortment of Arabic sweets, dates, and aromatic coffee throughout the month of Ramadan.
Delicious Offerings at Emirates and Etihad
In their First and Business Class lounges, Emirates is offering an impressive lineup of traditional dishes that celebrate the flavors of Ramadan. Guests can indulge in:
- A selection of hot and cold Arabic mezze
- Lentil soup
- Arabic mixed grill with tahina
- Lamb mandi with dakous and coriander mint raita
- Chicken machboos served with cucumber yoghurt sauce
- Pistachio kunafa
- Halawet al jibn
- Esh bulbul with lotus
- Basboussa ashta
- Cheese kunafa
- Walnut kathayef
- Chocolate baklava
Emirates lounges in Cairo and Jeddah will also feature an array of captivating Ramadan dishes. To foster a respectful atmosphere for worship, these lounges include dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities.
Convenience for Passengers
For the convenience of fasting customers at selected Emirates Boarding Gates during iftar, complimentary iftar boxes are provided to help break the fast. These boxes typically include water, laban, bananas, and dates to ensure a refreshing and nourishing break. Emirates is committed to ensuring that Muslim passengers have an accurate understanding of imsak (the time to start fasting) and iftar timings, implementing an innovative tool that adjusts these times based on the geographic location of the flight.
Once the sun sets, the captain will notify passengers of the iftar time, allowing everyone to break their fast together. Across all cabin classes on select routes, customers will be treated to nutritionally balanced Ramadan meal boxes featuring light bites of hummus or moutabel served with Arabic bread, sweet almond chocolate, walnut baklawa, apricot balls, and traditional dates. The wraps, including chicken zaatar and mozzarella cheese or lamb shawarma accompanied by halloumi cheese, will come with laban for a refreshing finish. Of course, these boxed meals are served alongside Emirates’ regular hot meal service.
Etihad’s Celebration of Emirati Culture
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways is also embracing the spirit of Ramadan by bringing cherished Emirati traditions aboard its flights. The airline aims to create a sense of community among passengers, reflecting the cultural richness of the UAE. Turky Al Hammadi, Director of Product and Hospitality at Etihad Airways, emphasized, “Each year, Ramadan gifts us the opportunity to share beloved traditions and flavours inspired by the Emirati hospitality we embody, bringing a sense of community to our guests around the world.”
He added, “This Ramadan, we’ve aligned with the UAE’s Year of Community to reflect the importance of connection and togetherness.” etihad is committed to providing guests with an exclusive and thoughtful experience, ensuring their meals capture the essence of Ramadan and the warmth of Emirati hospitality.
Throughout the holy month, Etihad will offer passengers a culinary journey full of authentic Emirati flavors and beloved Ramadan dishes, meticulously crafted with fresh, regional ingredients. This approach underscores the airline’s dedication to premium and sustainable quality, enhancing the overall travel experience.