Plant-powered plates: Emirates shifts vegan cuisine towards minimally processed, whole foods - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Global consumers increasingly prioritise nutrition, health and wellbeing, Emirates is refining its approach to vegan cuisine with a renewed focus on minimally processed, whole foods. This Veganuary, the airline confirms that new plant-based concepts are in development, celebrating authentic, farm-to-fork ingredients rather than engineered meat substitutes. The new vegan dishes are scheduled to be introduced onboard in 2027.

A dedicated Emirates culinary team is currently developing recipes that draw on traditional, plant-forward cuisines, emphasising flavour, texture and nutritional value. The aim is to create vibrant, culturally rooted dishes that rely on natural ingredients instead of highly processed alternatives.

Doxis Bekris, Emirates Vice President of Food & Beverage Design, explains the philosophy behind the shift:

“Our focus is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and seasonal vegetables as the heroes of the plate. These ingredients provide natural depth of flavour, texture and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives. Rather than replicating meat, we are inspired by cuisines that have always been plant-forward, such as Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls and African stews. This approach feels genuine and culturally rich.”

While acknowledging the availability of innovative lab-based alternatives, Bekris notes that whole foods align more closely with Emirates’ sustainability objectives and evolving guest expectations. “It’s about transparency and trust. Our customers want to know what they are eating and feel confident that it is good for both their health and the planet. We are shifting from substitutes to a celebration of plants, focusing not on what is missing, but on what is gained in authenticity, flavour and creativity.”

Growing demand for vegan meals

Emirates currently has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across its global network of 140 destinations, marking a 60 percent increase compared with 2024. The airline now serves around half a million vegan meals each year, reflecting sustained growth in demand.

In 2025, the destinations with the highest number of vegan meal orders were London, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali and Singapore. Emirates attributes part of this demand to non-vegan customers choosing plant-based options as a lighter, easily digestible alternative when flying.

Vegan meals can be requested on all Emirates flights and in all travel classes up to 24 hours before departure. On high-demand routes, plant-based dishes are also included directly on the main menu. Vegan options are additionally available in Emirates Lounges worldwide.

Vegan cuisine across every class

Emirates offers vegan meals in every cabin class, complemented by products such as plant-based milk. Supporting its farm-to-fork philosophy, the airline sources fresh leafy greens from Bustanica, the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm and a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering. The facility supplies pesticide- and chemical-free produce directly to Emirates’ catering operations.

In Economy Class, vegan options include pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms and tomato concassé, spinach cannelloni with tomato basil sauce, and desserts such as vegan chocolate mousse cake or carrot cake with coconut cream.

Premium Economy customers can enjoy dishes such as kimchi fried rice with roasted pumpkin and sautéed oyster mushrooms, followed by coconut cake with pineapple compote and pistachios.

In Business Class, plant-based dishes include braised mushrooms in five-spice soy sauce with jasmine rice and pak choi, alongside desserts such as coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse or chocolate tofu cheesecake.

First Class features elevated vegan cuisine, including pumpkin and barley risotto with rocket and caramelised walnuts, quinoa salad with grilled vegetables and red pepper coulis, and desserts ranging from strawberry tart with vanilla custard to sticky date pudding with salted caramel sauce and vegan cream cheese.

Plant-based dining in Emirates’ Dubai lounges

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates operates seven lounges in Terminal 3, offering an extensive selection of vegan dishes. Options range from spiced kofta in coconut gravy at buffet stations to à la carte breakfast dishes such as warm amaranth porridge with fruit and nuts in the First Class Lounge.

Among the most popular vegan items is the Emirates Green Burger, made with soya and flaxseed, served with signature sauce and pickled cucumbers. Together, the onboard and lounge offerings underline Emirates’ commitment to high-quality, plant-forward dining across every stage of the customer journey.

Image Credit: © Emirates Airlines