As global consumers increasingly prioritize health, nutrition, and wellbeing through a return to minimally processed, natural foods, Emirates is charting a new course in plant-based dining.

In celebration of Veganuary, the airline has confirmed that new culinary concepts are in development, highlighting whole, farm-to-fork ingredients and authentic cooking traditions. The refreshed plant-based menu will debut onboard in 2027.

Unlike the growing trend of using engineered meat substitutes, Emirates’ latest initiative focuses on real ingredients that deliver honest flavor, texture, and nourishment. The project is led by a team of chefs dedicated to creating dishes that are vibrant, satisfying, and rooted in global culinary heritage.

“Our focus now is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables as the central elements of every dish,” said Doxis Bekris, Emirates’ Vice President of Food & Beverage Design. “These ingredients naturally offer depth, variety, and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives.

We’re drawing inspiration from culinary traditions that have always embraced plant-forward dining—Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and African stews. It’s a genuine, culturally rich approach.”

Bekris added that while lab-based protein substitutes have their place, Emirates is steering toward “real food” that aligns with its long-term sustainability goals and customers’ growing demand for transparency. “Our guests want to know what they’re eating—and to feel confident it’s both good for them and good for the planet. This shift isn’t about what’s missing from the plate, but about what’s gained in authenticity, creativity, and flavor,” he said.

Expanding vegan offerings in the sky

Emirates currently serves over half a million vegan meals annually, with a diverse menu of 488 plant-based recipes offered across 140 destinations worldwide. This marks a 60% increase in vegan recipes since 2024, demonstrating the airline’s continuing dedication to sustainability and choice.

Interest in vegan cuisine continues to rise alongside passenger traffic. In 2025, the routes with the highest demand for vegan options were London, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali, and Singapore. Emirates attributes some of the demand to non-vegan travelers who select plant-based meals inflight, viewing them as lighter and easier to digest.

Vegan meals can be pre-ordered up to 24 hours before departure on all flights and across all classes of travel. On several high-demand routes, plant-based dishes have also been integrated directly into the main menu. Similar offerings are available throughout Emirates’ lounges, ensuring a consistent experience from the terminal to the skies.

Culinary excellence across every cabin

Reflecting its commitment to high-quality dining experiences, Emirates offers vegan options in every cabin, complemented by plant-based beverages including vegan milk.

The airline supports its “farm-to-fork” philosophy through Bustanica, the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm and a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering. The facility supplies fresh, chemical-free leafy greens—such as lettuce, arugula, spinach, and mixed salad varieties—directly to Emirates’ kitchens.

• Economy Class: Meals include pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms and tomato concassé or spinach cannelloni with tomato basil sauce, followed by desserts like vegan chocolate mousse cake or carrot cake with coconut cream.

• Premium Economy: Highlights include kimchi fried rice with roasted pumpkin and oyster mushrooms, paired with coconut cake topped with pineapple compote and pistachios.

• Business Class: Passengers can enjoy braised mushrooms in five-spice soy sauce with jasmine rice and pak choi, along with desserts such as coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse or vegan chocolate tofu cheesecake.

• First Class: The elevated menu features pumpkin and barley risotto with rocket and caramelized walnuts and quinoa salad with grilled aubergine, courgette, and red pepper coulis. Desserts include strawberry tart with vanilla custard and pistachios or sticky date pudding with salted caramel sauce and vegan cream cheese.

Thoughtfully crafted vegan lounges in Dubai

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates operates seven premium lounges in Terminal 3—three each for First and Business Class travelers, along with a shared Emirates Lounge accessible to all premium customers. Each features an extensive range of vegan options, from Baharat- and turmeric-spiced kofta in coconut gravy to à la carte breakfast offerings like warm amaranth porridge with green apples, grapes, raspberries, and walnuts in the First Class Lounge.

A standout favorite among frequent travelers is the Emirates Green Burger, crafted from soya and flax seeds and served with a signature sauce and pickled cucumbers—an example of how the airline elevates vegan dining with flavor, balance, and innovation.

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA