Emirates is responding to the growing demand for plant-based catering with a multimillion-dollar investment into new vegan menus in time for World Vegan Day on November 1.
The airline began to offer vegan food in the 1990s, mostly for travellers from Addis Ababa who abstained from animal products due to their Ethiopian Orthodox faith. The choice was also popular on the Indian subcontinent.
Since then, it has seen an increase in demand for vegan meals on US, Australian, European and UK routes, as well as on services from Beirut, Cairo and Taiwan.
It has now introduced a menu of gourmet vegan dishes in first and business class, and its economy menus have a refreshed selection of plant-based produce.
Fruit and vegetables are sourced from UAE-based suppliers and the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm, a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering, called Bustanica.
