Vegan cuisine on board Emirates

Emirates confirms the development of new plant-based cooking concepts designed to enhance authentic, wholemeal and seasonal ingredients, following a farm-to-table philosophy. The new dishes, currently being created by the company's teams of chefs, will debut on board in 2027 and will focus on recipes rooted in culinary traditions, without resorting to ultra-processed vegetable substitutes or imitations of meat.

Leading ingredients and global inspirations

Emirates' new culinary approach focuses on legumes, cereals, nuts, seeds and seasonal vegetables, chosen for their nutritional value, natural texture and richness of flavour. The inspirations come from cuisines historically oriented towards the plant-based world, such as Mediterranean mezze, Levantine cereal salads, Asian noodle bowls and African stews, reinterpreted in a contemporary key for the on-board experience.

An ever-growing vegan offer

Today, Emirates offers 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, an increase of 60% compared to 2024, serving around half a million vegan meals each year. The cities with the highest number of requests are London, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali and Singapore.

Plant-based options are available on request and for pre-order up to 24 hours before your flight, in all classes of travel. On the most popular routes, vegan dishes are already included in the main menu. The offer is also extended to Emirates Lounges.

Vegan cuisine in all classrooms

Emirates offers dedicated plant-based menus in Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class, also using fresh ingredients from Bustanica, the world's largest vertical hydroponic farm, built in a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering. From here come pesticide-free leafy green vegetables, such as lettuce, rocket, spinach and mixed salads.

• Economy Class: dishes such as pumpkin omelette with mushrooms and tomato, spinach cannelloni with basil sauce, and vegan desserts such as chocolate mousse or carrot cake with coconut cream.
• Premium Economy Class: Offerings such as kimchi fried rice with roasted pumpkin and oyster mushrooms, accompanied by coconut cake with pineapple and pistachios.
• Business Class: More elaborate recipes, including braised mushrooms in five-spice soy sauce with jasmine rice, and desserts such as coconut panna cotta or tofu and chocolate cheesecake.
• First Class: gourmet vegan cuisine with pumpkin and barley risotto, quinoa salad with grilled vegetables and fine desserts such as strawberry tart or sticky date pudding with salted caramel.

Emirates lounges in Dubai: plant-based focus

At Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates operates seven lounges in Terminal 3 (dedicated to First Class, Business Class and premium customers) where the vegan offer is particularly extensive. On offer: spicy kofta, turmeric dishes in coconut sauce, amaranth porridge for the à la carte breakfast and numerous salads. Emirates' most popular vegan dish remains the Emirates Green Burger, made with soy and flaxseed, served with dedicated sauce and pickled cucumbers.