Emirates Introduces Farm-to-Fork Vegan Dining in Business & First Class

As global travelers place increasing importance on nutrition, wellbeing, and clean eating, Emirates is taking a decisive step toward a more authentic, plant-forward future. By Veganuary, the airline confirmed that entirely new vegan dining concepts are in development — focused on real, whole, farm-to-fork ingredients rather than heavily engineered meat substitutes.

The new plant-based dishes, currently being developed by Emirates’ culinary teams, are expected to debut onboard in 2027, reinforcing the airline’s reputation for innovation in premium inflight dining.

A Shift from Substitutes to Real Ingredients

According to Doxis Bekris, Emirates’ Vice President of Food & Beverage Design, the philosophy behind the new menu is simple: celebrate plants as they are.

Instead of replicating meat textures with ultra-processed alternatives, Emirates’ chefs are building menus around legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables. Inspiration comes from cuisines that have always been naturally plant-forward — Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and rich African stews.

This approach not only delivers deeper, more authentic flavors, but also aligns with sustainability goals and the growing demand from premium travelers for transparency and health-conscious dining.

Growing Demand for Vegan Cuisine at 35,000 Feet

Emirates currently serves around half a million vegan meals each year, with demand steadily rising alongside passenger growth. The airline now has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations — a 60% increase compared to 2024.

Interestingly, many vegan meals are ordered by non-vegan travelers, particularly in premium cabins, where lighter and easier-to-digest dining options are often preferred on long-haul flights.

Top destinations for vegan meal requests include:

• London
• Sydney
• Bangkok
• Melbourne
• Frankfurt
• Manchester
• Mumbai
• Bali
• Singapore

Vegan meals can be pre-ordered up to 24 hours before departure on all Emirates flights and across all classes, while high-demand routes often feature plant-based dishes directly on the main menu.

Vegan Excellence Across Every Cabin

Emirates’ commitment to plant-based dining extends across Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class, ensuring that vegan travelers don’t compromise on quality — regardless of cabin.

• Economy Class features comforting dishes such as pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms, spinach cannelloni with tomato basil sauce, and indulgent desserts like vegan chocolate mousse cake or carrot cake with coconut cream.
• Premium Economy passengers can enjoy elevated options like kimchi fried rice with roasted pumpkin and oyster mushrooms, finished with coconut cake, pineapple compote, and pistachios.
• Business Class offers refined dishes including braised mushrooms in five-spice soy sauce with jasmine rice, alongside desserts like coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse or chocolate tofu cheesecake.
• First Class showcases gourmet vegan creations such as pumpkin and barley risotto with caramelised walnuts and vegan cheese, quinoa salad with grilled vegetables and red pepper coulis, and decadent desserts like strawberry tart with vanilla custard or sticky date pudding with salted caramel.

From Farm to Flight: Bustanica’s Role

Supporting its farm-to-fork philosophy, Emirates sources fresh leafy greens from Bustanica, the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm based in Dubai. Operated in partnership with Emirates Flight Catering, Bustanica delivers pesticide-free lettuce, arugula, spinach, and salad greens directly to Emirates’ kitchens — ensuring freshness and sustainability from harvest to cabin.

Crafted Vegan Dining in Emirates Lounges

Premium travelers flying through Dubai International Airport (DXB) can also enjoy thoughtfully curated vegan cuisine in Emirates’ seven lounges across Terminal 3.

From baharat-spiced kofta in coconut gravy to à la carte breakfasts like warm amaranth porridge with fresh fruit and nuts, plant-based travelers are well catered for. One standout favorite remains the Emirates Green Burger, a soya and flaxseed patty served with signature sauce and pickles.

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