Emirates Unveils a 300-Recipe "Vegan Vault" to Meet Soaring Demand for Plant-Based Cuisine

Emirates is set to expand its culinary offerings with a plethora of new vegan dishes both onboard and in its lounges in response to a remarkable 40% increase in customer demand for plant-based meals. This surge, coinciding with the global vegan movement, has prompted the airline to augment its existing "vegan vault" - a repository of over 300 carefully curated plant-based recipes.

Growing vegan trend

As the world embraces Veganuary, an initiative championing the benefits of a vegan diet for the past decade, Emirates has observed a substantial 40% rise in the appetite for plant-based meals among its passengers. Addressing this escalating demand in 2024, the airline plans to introduce a diverse range of new vegan dishes, enhancing its extensive repertoire of plant-based recipes.

Emirates vegan milestones

In 2023, Emirates showcased over 300 vegan recipes across 140 destinations, significantly increasing from the 180 recipes featured in 2022. The airline served more than 450,000 plant-based meals onboard in 2023, reflecting a substantial upswing from the 280,000 meals served in 2022. Notably, vegan meal consumption grew by 40% year on year, with certain regions, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, reporting additional increases of 4%, 5%, and an impressive 34%, respectively. The most notable surge occurred in the economy class.

Global adoption of veganism

Vegan meal consumption notably surged on routes to China, Japan, and the Philippines.

Concurrently, many Emirates Cabin Crew members have embraced a plant-based diet since the introduction of vegan meals for the crew in 2018.

Vegan culinary experience in every class

Emirates ensures a delightful vegan dining experience across all classes. In Economy Class, passengers can savor delectable options like a chickpea crepe, a textured pumpkin frittata, tofu tikka masala, or a hearty chickpea kale stew. Premium Economy and Business Class offerings include jackfruit curry, squash chestnut stew, roasted cauliflower with ancient grains, and a warming ragout of Asian tofu.

First Class passengers are treated to elevated vegan cuisines such as creamy polenta cake, aubergine curry, and decadent desserts like rhubarb-strawberry Charlotte and warm chocolate fondant. Emirates plans to introduce new vegan main courses, snacks, and desserts later in the year.

World-class vegan ingredients

Emirates sources high-quality vegan products from around the world, including Beyond Meat from California, soybean protein from Singapore, and Qian Ye pressed tofu from Japan. The airline also incorporates locally grown kale and lettuce from the world's largest hydroponic vertical farm, Bustanica, ensuring fresh, pesticide-free produce.

A rich history of vegan cuisine

Emirates has been serving vegan meals since the 1990s, initially focusing on specific routes with cultural dietary requirements. Over the years, vegan dishes have gained popularity on various international routes. In 2022, Emirates introduced a gourmet vegan menu in First and Business Class, expanding options for passengers adhering to a vegan lifestyle or seeking healthier meal choices while traveling. Customers can pre-order vegan meals and find them available in all classes and Emirates Lounges up to 24 hours before departure.