Emirates is one of the world’s best-known full-service airlines, and its approach to onboard dining reflects that reputation. From hearty multicourse meals in Economy to à la carte dining, caviar and champagne in First Class, Emirates designs menus to suit long haul travel, cultural preferences and special diets. This article walks you through the full spectrum of Emirates meal options, how and when to request special dietary meals, what to expect in each cabin, beverage and wine offerings, seasonal and route-specific touches, and practical tips to make the most of your in-flight dining experience. Key official information and company policy are referenced where relevant.
How Emirates structures its meal service
Emirates adapts meal service by route length, time of day and cabin class. On short hop flights you might receive a single light service, while on medium and long haul flights you will usually be offered a full multicourse meal service along with snack and beverage rounds. On many long haul services there are at least two meal services: a main meal shortly after departure and a lighter second service before arrival. Passengers in higher cabins can usually expect more choice, more frequent service and premium presentation.
Cabin-by-cabin breakdown
- First Class
First Class dining is designed to be a fine dining experience in the sky. On aircraft equipped for the First Class product, you can order from an à la carte menu when you wish, choose multicourse meals, enjoy hors d oeuvre and caviar on select routes, and pair your food with premium wines and spirits. Portions and presentation are often closer to what you would find in a high-end restaurant, and service is highly personalised. On selected A380 routes, First Class passengers can also access additional on-board luxuries that complement the meal experience.
- Business Class
Business Class features elevated multicourse meals, presented with a focus on regional flavours and premium ingredients. Passengers can expect appetizers, a choice of mains, desserts and a selection of cheeses and accompaniments on many routes. There is also an emphasis on pairing meals with a curated drink list including sparkling wines and signature cocktails. Service is attentive but less formal than First Class; portions are generous and plating is upgraded compared with Economy.
- Premium Economy
Where Premium Economy is available, the dining experience is designed to bridge Economy and Business. Meals are slightly more generous than Economy, with upgraded desserts and a stronger emphasis on regional and seasonal dishes. Premium Economy often receives dedicated meal presentation and separate serviceware to mark the class difference.
- Economy Class
Emirates offers a multicourse meal in Economy Class on most medium and long-haul services. You usually choose from two or more main course options and receive side items such as salad or fresh fruit, a bread roll, dessert and complementary beverages. The airline highlights regional flavours in Economy menus so that meals often reflect the origin or destination of the flight. Economy passengers also have access to soft drinks, fruit juices, tea and coffee, and on many services a selection of wines, beers and spirits are also complimentary.
Special and dietary meals
Emirates provides a broad range of special meals to accommodate religious requirements, medical needs and lifestyle choices. Available categories include but are not limited to vegetarian and vegan meals, gluten free, low lactose, diabetic, low fat, Jain, Hindu and kosher. Passengers are encouraged to request a special meal in advance through Manage Your Booking, typically up to 24 hours before departure. Some very short flights may have limitations on certain special meals. Where a special diet is essential for medical reasons it is advisable to request the meal as early as possible and to carry any required documentation if requested by authorities.
Important practical points about special meals
- Request timing. Request dietary meals at least 24 hours ahead using the airline s booking management tools to make sure the option is loaded onto your flight manifest.
- Cabin limitations. Some special meal types may not be offered in Economy on very short flights, so check the specific route.
- Halal status. Emirates states that the food it serves is halal certified across the network, which simplifies religious compliance for many travellers.
Vegan, vegetarian and plant-based choices
In recent years Emirates has expanded its plant-based offerings in response to growing passenger demand. Vegan dishes are increasingly available as either default menu options on some routes or as special meals ordered in advance. The airline has reported enhancements to its vegan recipes and the introduction of plant-based substitutions that aim to retain texture and flavour, and in some markets the airline now offers plant-based milk or other dairy alternatives. If you prefer a plant-based option, request a vegan meal ahead of travel to ensure consistency with your dietary needs.
Children and infant meals
Emirates offers child friendly meals that are designed to appeal to younger palates and are portioned and timed for family travel. Infant meals and baby food are also available and for many flights the carrier provides branded organic baby meal pouches by specific suppliers. If a child has specific dietary restrictions, you should order a special meal in advance. Otherwise the booking system often identifies children automatically and supplies an age-appropriate meal without further action.
Beverage service and wine list
Emirates curates a broad beverage menu. In First and Business cabins you will find an extensive selection of premium spirits, vintage and limited edition wines chosen to perform well in the cabin environment, and signature cocktails. In Economy the selection is smaller but still includes a variety of wines, beers and spirits on long haul flights, along with soft drinks and fruit juices. The wine selection emphasizes versatility to pair well with a wide range of dishes served onboard. If wine is important to your experience, check what is listed for your flight before you travel; Emirates provides details of wines carried on specific services and sometimes rotates special bottles on premium routes.
Seasonal menus and destination flavours
Emirates frequently updates menus to reflect seasonal produce and regional tastes. The airline highlights dishes that showcase the cuisine of the destination you are flying to or from. Special seasonal initiatives, promotions or collaborations with chefs or food suppliers occasionally influence the onboard menus and can introduce limited time dishes or desserts. These changes aim to keep repeat travellers engaged and to create a sense of place during travel.
How menus differ by route and aircraft
Not every aircraft in an airline fleet is configured identically and meal offerings can vary depending on aircraft type and specific route. For example, Emirates A380s and some widebody fleets can support a fuller First Class service and extra amenities that influence the dining experience. Shorter regional routes often have simplified catering due to turn times and logistics. Emirates posts sample menus for many routes and sometimes offers a route lookup tool where you can see the menu planned for your flight, which is handy if you want to preview choices.
Practical tips for passengers
- Preview the menu. If you want to know exactly what will be served, use Emirates menu preview tools or look for announcements from the airline about seasonal menus.
- Book special meals early. If you have strict dietary requirements, book the special meal in Manage Your Booking at least 24 hours before departure.
- Bring snacks for certainty. On tightly scheduled flights or if you are extremely particular, pack a light snack as a backup.
- Ask crew for alternatives. Flight attendants can often suggest the best available option onboard if a requested meal is unavailable for any reason.
- Hydrate and pace meals. Air travel affects taste and digestion. Drink water and choose lighter or familiar options if you are prone to air sickness or digestion issues.
Service timing and flexibility
On long haul flights Emirates typically serves the main meal within the first hour or two after departure. A second lighter service is commonly provided a few hours before landing. In premium cabins you can often request meals on demand or ask for additional snacks between services. Emirates emphasises flexibility in its premium classes and will generally accommodate timing requests where operationally possible.
Addressing common passenger questions
- Are meals included in the ticket price? Yes. On Emirates full service tickets, meals and complimentary non alcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol and premium drinks are included on many long haul flights as part of the service in Economy, Business and First depending on route and local regulations.
- Do I need to order a special meal if I am vegetarian? You can choose a vegetarian option from the onboard menu on many flights, but ordering a vegetarian special meal guarantees the dietary specification you need. For strict dietary adherence, it is safer to request the specific special meal code during booking.
- Is Emirates food halal? Emirates states that the food served onboard is halal certified across its network, which means passengers who follow halal dietary rules can generally eat the standard menu without requesting a separate halal meal. If you have additional religious requirements such as kosher, you should request the appropriate special meal.
- What if I have severe food allergies? For medical or severe allergy requirements, request a medical meal and consult the airline s guidance prior to travel. Airlines often have strict rules for allergy handling and may advise passengers to carry their own emergency medication. Always confirm the available options before travel.
Examples of typical meal components
- Long haul main meal. A plated main with protein such as chicken, beef, fish or a plant based main, accompanied by a starch, vegetable side, salad or fresh fruit, bread roll and dessert.
- Light or pre arrival meal. Sandwich or salad style option, soup or a hot lighter main with a small dessert.
- Snacks. In premium cabins there are midflight snack options including cheese plates, seasonal bites and patisserie style desserts. Economy may receive packaged snacks on some sectors between main services.
How Emirates sources and designs menus
Emirates has invested in in house and external culinary expertise and often showcases regional dishes to reflect its global network. The airline has also worked to source fresher produce and to expand options for plant based diners. Menu design balances taste retention at altitude, dietary constraints and logistical realities of airline catering. Advances in plant based product formulations and recipe development have meant more sophisticated vegan options are being rolled out on many routes.
Final thoughts
Emirates offers a layered dining programme built to serve millions of passengers across different classes, routes and cultural needs. The airline s strengths are breadth of choice, investment in premium cabin presentation, and support for dietary requirements. For regular travelers the best strategy is to preview the menu for your flight, order any necessary special meals at least 24 hours in advance, and plan for the small chance that the inflight offering may change due to operational constraints. Whether you are flying in Economy or First Class, a better dining experience is usually a combination of choosing the right options in advance and communicating politely with cabin crew during the flight.
If you would like, I can:
- Check the sample menu for a specific Emirates route and date and summarise the options for your flight.
- Help draft the exact special meal code to add to your booking.
- Suggest what to order by cabin class and typical route for the best culinary experience.