By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Emirates will commence its signature Ramadan service for customers during the holy month, expected to begin on May 17th. Emirates’ Ramadan service consists of specially crafted iftar meals on board, relevant programming on its ice inflight entertainment system, and the distribution of dates and water on the ground for those breaking their fast.
Emirates provides iftar boxes with a nutritional meal for customers breaking their fast on board. The boxes have been redesigned this year by local homeware specialists Silsal Design House. The designs are inspired by the Middle East, its people, places and culture. Silsal has also created bespoke Emirates Arabic Coffee Cups available at the Emirates Official Stores.
The iftar boxes provide a nutritious meal for customers to break their fast and includes couscous salad & grilled chicken or moudardara & roasted chicken, sandwiches, spinach fatayer or tomato and onion fatayer, assorted sweets, dates, laban and water. The boxes have been designed for customers to take away if they wish. The menus will be refreshed mid-Ramadan.
These special meals will be available to passengers across all cabin classes on select Emirates flights that coincide with iftar times. This includes flights to and from the Gulf region as well as flights catering to Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina during the month of Ramadan. During the holy month, cold meals will be served in lieu of a hot one on all flights to Jeddah and Medina, including Umrah day flights.
Emirates utilises a unique tool to calculate the correct timings for imsak (the time to commence fasting) and iftar while in-flight. It calculates the exact Ramadan timings using the aircraft’s longitude, latitude and altitude; ensuring the greatest level of accuracy possible while on board. When the sun sets, passengers will be informed of the iftar time by the captain. This tool was developed to supplement the Ramadan timetable, available on every flight.
Date boxes, symbolic of Ramadan, and water will also be provided at boarding gates allowing customers to break their fast prior to boarding, or while boarding at Emirates’ hub in Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 and other selected Emirates destinations. Emirates lounges in the airport provide dedicated prayer rooms and will also be serving Arabic coffee, dates and sweets.
Emirates’ award-winning ice system features special religious programming including A’aelat Ramadan Kareem, Fa Esalo ahil il thekir and Al Baqeyat Al Salehat, as well as Ramadan entertainment such as Bou Tbei, As-hab Al Hemam and Hayat Thaneya. The special Ramadan programmes are part of the diverse content available on board with up to 3,500 channels of on demand entertainment including 238 Arabic channels featuring movies, TV, music and audio.
Eid festivities kick off on board
For the first time, Emirates is extending its special service to celebrate Eid with customers on board. Those looking to do some shopping in time for Eid can enjoy a 20% discount for onboard duty free purchases over US $95 from 11 to 15 June.
From 14 to 17 June, customers can look forward to sweet treats on select flights. In Economy Class, customers will be served Eid cookies, while in First and Business Class, customers will receive a box of chocolates. In addition, First Class customers can enjoy a special Eid edition of the Lakrids candy. Lakrids Crispy Rose flavoured liquorice will be offered on all regions during Ramadan and Eid.
As a global airline, Emirates has been delighting customers’ palates with regionally-inspired cuisine, and special seasonal menus for widely celebrated events like Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, and Ramadan. Its signature Ramadan service with special iftar meals has been a mainstay for over 20 years and illustrates the airline’s commitment to providing customers a comfortable journey throughout the holy month.
