Emirates Elevates In-Flight Dining with New Gourmet Menu
Emirates continues to raise the bar for in-flight dining, introducing 18 new gourmet dishes to its business class menu this summer. These culinary creations are the result of a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Jean-Michel Lorain of Moët & Chandon and Emirates’ Vice President of Culinary Design, Doxis Bekris. Each of the 18 dishes is paired with an exclusive champagne, offering passengers a truly luxurious dining experience at 40,000 feet.
The new menu, which includes a variety of appetizers and main courses, will be available on select routes starting May 2025. The development of these dishes took over a year, reflecting Emirates’ commitment to delivering exceptional quality. The airline, known for its world-class service, serves an impressive 149 meals per minute onboard, totaling more than 77 million meals annually.
Among the highlights of the new menu is a dish of poached scallops with green melon, blanched kumquats, lemon jelly, and toasted almonds, perfectly complemented by Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016. Another standout is the roasted duck, served with braised eggplant, chickpeas, couscous, ras-el-hanout spices, and cherry tomatoes, paired with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial. For poultry lovers, the sliced roasted turkey with sage-infused chicken jus, mashed potatoes, braised fennel, and almonds is accompanied by Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016.
Seafood enthusiasts will delight in the Chilean sea bass, served with artichoke purée, lemongrass sauce, and sugar snap peas, paired with Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial. Vegetarian options are equally impressive, such as the coconut-braised lentils served with steamed basmati rice, spiced cauliflower, green peas, and naan, which pairs beautifully with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial.
Creating these dishes required meticulous planning and innovation. Over the course of a year, a team of chefs from France and Dubai worked together to adapt high-end restaurant cuisine to the unique challenges of in-flight dining. Factors such as altitude, which affects taste perception, and the need for pre-flight preparation were carefully considered to ensure the dishes retain their flavor and quality onboard.
This new menu underscores Emirates’ dedication to enhancing the passenger experience through culinary excellence. By combining the expertise of a Michelin-starred chef with the airline’s commitment to innovation, Emirates continues to set the standard for luxury in the skies. Passengers can look forward to savoring these exquisite dishes and champagne pairings, making their journey as memorable as the destination.
