Significant increase in vegan meal consumption were noted on Emirates routes to China, Japan and Philippines.
This January marks the 10th annual ‘Veganuary’ challenge, in which people are encouraged to stick with a plant-based diet for a month. It’s no secret that amidst heightened health and sustainability awareness, the demand for vegan meals and plant-based food has been growing exponentially for decades now.
Emirates noted an impressive 40% increase in customer demand for plant-based meals. To meet this demand in 2024, the airline will introduce new vegan dishes onboard and in lounges later this year, adding to its ‘vegan vault’ of more than 300 curated plant-based recipes. Some of the products used are plant-based proteins from California’s Beyond Meat, soybean protein from Singapore and UAE-based Arlene, and Qian Ye pressed tofu from Japan, amongst many others. In 2023, Emirates had more than 300 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, up from 180 recipes in 2022.
In 2023, Emirates served over 450,000 plant-based meals on board, a significant uptick from the 280,000 meals from the previous year. Vegan meal consumption has grown 40% year on year in line with passenger volumes, but in some regions, consumption has exceeded passenger volume growth – such as Africa with an additional 4% increase, Southeast Asia with an additional 5% increase, and the Middle East showing a significant additional increase of 34%.
Significant increases were noted specifically on Emirates routes to China, Japan and Philippines, while the biggest increase in consumption of vegan meals occurred in Economy Class.
Emirates has big plans for 2024 to meet the rising demand for plant-based options on the in-flight menu. While passengers can pre-order vegan options on board or directly in First class and Emirates Lounges, the airlines’ meal curation strategy is to showcase vegan meals as premiere offerings instead of add-on options.
This is quite evident in the vegan dishes that the airline offers at the moment – from chickpea crepes in Economy to jackfruit curry in Premium Economy, and from roasted cauliflower in Business to creamy polenta cake in First class.
Fresh, locally grown produce from Bustanica – the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm – adds a sustainable touch. The joint venture investment through Emirates Flight Catering also ensures that passengers can enjoy farm-fresh kale and lettuce without pesticides or chemicals.
Emirates has been offering vegan options for passengers since the 1990s, initially focusing on specific routes dictated by cultural or religious requirements. In recent years, however, vegan dishes have become a global phenomenon, with notable increases in the US, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
Even the cabin crew has embraced the trend, with Emirates introducing vegan meals for its crew in 2018.
Image credit: Emirates
