Emirates shifts vegan menu to whole foods, moves away from processed substitutes

Emirates has announced that it is overhauling its approach to vegan dining by moving away from processed plant-based meat substitutes in favor of naturally plant-forward dishes centered on whole ingredients.

The Dubai-based carrier said it is developing new menu concepts that emphasize legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables rather than engineered meat replacements. The new dishes are expected to debut onboard in 2027.

With half a million vegan meals ordered onboard last year, this Veganuary – we are evolving our vegan cuisine philosophy and move towards a celebration of minimally processed, whole plant foods – highlighting real ingredients, authentic flavours and global culinary traditions.… pic.twitter.com/hpUAwtx5V5— Emirates (@emirates) January 20, 2026 From substitutes to celebration

Doxis Bekris, Emirates Vice President of Food & Beverage Design, outlined the philosophical shift behind the change.

“Our focus now is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables as the heroes of the plate,” Bekris said. “These ingredients offer natural depth of flavor, texture, and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives. Instead of replicating meat, we want to draw from cuisines that have always been plant-forward like Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and African stews.”

The airline said the approach aligns with growing consumer preferences for minimally processed foods and transparency about ingredients.

“It’s about transparency for our customers who want to know what they’re eating, as well as have confidence that it’s good for them and the planet,” Bekris said. “We want to shift from substitutes to a celebration of plants, where it’s not about what’s missing but instead what is gained in authenticity, flavor, and creativity.”

Current vegan offerings

Emirates currently serves approximately half a million vegan meals annually across its network of 140 destinations. The airline has 488 vegan recipes in rotation, representing a 60% increase from 2024.

London ranks as the top destination for vegan meal orders, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali, and Singapore. According to Emirates, some of the demand comes from non-vegan passengers who opt for plant-based options as lighter, easier-to-digest alternatives during flights.

Passengers can request vegan meals up to 24 hours before departure across all classes of travel. On high-demand routes, plant-based options are also included as part of standard menu selections.

Farm-to-cabin sourcing

Emirates incorporates fresh produce from Bustanica, described as the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm. The facility, which is a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering, supplies pesticide-free and chemical-free leafy greens including lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach directly to the airline’s catering operations.

Current vegan menu items vary by cabin class. Economy passengers can choose dishes such as pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms or spinach cannelloni with tomato basil sauce. Premium Economy offers options like kimchi fried rice with roasted pumpkin and oyster mushrooms.

Business Class features dishes including braised mushrooms with vegetables in five-spice soy sauce served with jasmine rice, while First Class passengers can select items like pumpkin and barley risotto with caramelized walnuts or quinoa salad with grilled vegetables.

Lounge options

Emirates’ seven lounges at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 also offer vegan selections. The most popular vegan dish in the lounges is the Emirates Green Burger, made with soy and flax seeds with signature sauce and pickled cucumbers.

The shift toward whole-food plant-based cuisine reflects broader industry trends as airlines balance sustainability goals with passenger expectations for healthier, transparent food options during air travel.

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