Emirates provides 300 vegan meal options on its flights due to 40% increase in demand for plant-based meals

 

Emirates has seen a 40% increase in demand for plant-based meals on its flights in January, according to Veganuary, the global movement that has been promoting the benefits of a vegan diet for over a decade. To meet this demand well into 2024, the airline is introducing a range of vegan dishes to be served on flights and in lounges, adding even more options to its vegan menu, with more than 300 plant-based recipes.

The Vegan meals of the Emirates in numbers

• In 2023, Emirates provided more than 300 vegan meal options rotating through 140 destinations, a significant increase from the 180 recipes provided during 2022.
• In 2023, Emirates provided a total of more than 450,000 plant-based meals during its flights, compared to the 280,000 plant-based meals provided in 2022.
• Consumption of vegan meals has increased by 40% year-on-year, following the growth in passenger numbers. However, in some regions, vegan meal consumption is outpacing passenger growth – for example, Africa saw a 4% increase, Southeast Asia a 5% increase and the Middle East a 34% increase.
• The largest increase in vegan meal consumption occurred in the Economy class.
• Significant increases were seen on Emirates flights to China, Japan and the Philippines.
• In addition, many Emirates cabin crew members follow a plant-based diet, with Emirates having introduced vegan meals for cabin crew members since 2018.

Η vegan cuisine of Emirates in all seats

In Economy Class, Emirates passengers can enjoy dishes such as chickpea crepes stuffed with carrot, peppers, mushrooms and canned tomato, pumpkin frittata, chicken tikka masala with tofu, chickpea stew and rice pilaf with baby spinach and parsley. Meals are accompanied by delicious desserts, such as coconut mousse with mango compote, juicy banana cake with chocolate chips or delicious chocolate pudding with cocoa.

In Premium Economy Class, passengers will have the opportunity to enjoy nutritious and delicious dishes, such as jackfruit with curry and basmati rice or stew with chestnut and pumpkin, while for dessert a light chocolate cheesecake with tofu or raspberry parfait with orange compote.

 

 

In the Distinguished Seat, a range of elegant and creatively curated dishes are offered, such as roasted cauliflower with wheat, caramelized pear and lovage pesto or hot Asian tofu and shiitake mushroom ragout with bean noodles. For those passengers who wish to enjoy a dessert, a tropical coconut and pineapple cake or chocolate cheesecake is offered, accompanied by a sweet dark chocolate powder and strawberry compote.

In First Class, passengers will enjoy great choices of Emirates’ vegan meals, such as creamy polenta cake with mushroom ragout and thyme, and sautéed spinach topped with a rich vegetable juice. Main meals provide an explosion of sophisticated flavours, as they include eggplant with curry, rice and turmeric potatoes with coconut and mint chutney. The desserts are characterised by flavour contrasts, including the bitter taste of rhubarb rhubarb with strawberry charlotte, whipped cream and raspberry tuille or the tempting hot chocolate marshmallow with salted caramel sauce and cashew whipped cream.

In 2024, Emirates is expected to add a range of new vegan main meals and snacks to its menu, such as fruit muffins and vegan pizza, as well as a range of delectable desserts, including chocolate pecan cake, pistachio blueberry cake and blueberry and tonka seed cake.

First Class passengers will be able to pre-order the vegan meals they wish to try during their flight and in the Emirates lounges. Plus, those who wish can request vegan meals on all Emirates flights and in all seat categories up to 24 hours before departure.

The best materials for vegan recipes from around the world

Emirates continues to elevate the in-flight dining experience, with high-quality products sourced from every corner of the globe. Among others, some of the products used in meal preparation are: vegetable proteins from Beyond Meat in California, soy proteins from Singapore and UAE-based Arlene, tofu Qian Ye from Japan, organic and vegan dark chocolate from Linnolat in France, vegan margarine from MeisterMarken in Germany, vegan curry from Pantai in Thailand and Koita almond milk from Italy. Emirates also uses fresh cabbage and lettuce from Bustanica, grown on the world’s largest hydroponic farm through the Emirates Flight Catering joint venture. Bustanica’s produce is grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemicals and First and Business Class passengers can enjoy fresh leafy vegetables in certain dishes, such as lettuce, rocket, greens and spinach.

The history of vegan meals in the Emirates

Emirates has been providing vegan meal options to its passengers since the 1990s. Initially, the provision of vegan meals was focused on specific routes, such as Addis Ababa, where vegan meals are required during certain periods such as fasting, as well as other areas that encourage vegan diets for religious reasons. In recent years, however, vegan meals have become very popular on routes to the US, Australia, some European and Asian destinations, and Emirates has seen a significant increase in interest in vegan meals over the last decade overall. A gourmet vegan menu has been included in 2022 in First and Business Class, providing even more options for Emirates passengers following a vegan lifestyle or simply looking for a healthy and light meal option during their journey.