Emirates Ramadan programme includes iftar boxes, lounge menus and onboard prayer support
Emirates has introduced a comprehensive Emirates Ramadan programme to mark the Holy Month, delivering iftar boxes at boarding gates, specialised meal services onboard, expanded lounge dining and dedicated religious content across its network.
Firstly, complimentary iftar boxes are distributed at select Emirates boarding gates during iftar time. The boxes contain water, laban, a banana and dates to support fasting customers. As a result, customers can break their fast before departure in line with sunset timings.
Additionally, Ramadan meal boxes are served onboard across all cabin classes on select destinations. These nutritionally balanced meals are presented in bespoke packaging inspired by traditional Islamic geometric design. The boxes include dates, Arabic bread with hummus, moutabel or muhammara, a chicken mossakan or herbed chicken sandwich, chocolate almonds, baklawa varieties and laban.
Furthermore, the Ramadan boxes are provided alongside the regular hot meal service. Emirates calculates imsak and iftar timings in-flight using aircraft longitude, latitude and altitude data to determine local sunrise and sunset. Once sunset occurs, the captain informs passengers of the official iftar time.
In addition, special keepsake prayer mats are available on request from cabin crew on all flights. Emirates also equips its lounges with dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities to support worship during the Holy Month.
Lounge dining and in-flight entertainment during the Emirates Ramadan
Across seven Emirates Lounges at Dubai International Airport, Arabic sweets, dates and coffee are served throughout Ramadan. First and Business Class lounges offer traditional dishes including hot and cold mezze, lentil soup, Arabic mixed grill, lamb kabsa, chicken machboos and lamb shanks ouzi. Desserts feature pistachio kunafa, kathayef cream, basbousa saffron, kitta cheesecake, cheese kunafa and baklawa ice cream, alongside jallab and laban.
Meanwhile, Emirates Lounges in Cairo and Jeddah also present Ramadan dishes during the Holy Month. Therefore, customers travelling through these locations have access to expanded traditional menus.
On ice, Emirates features dedicated religious programming including Kheir Qodwa, Qalb Al Mo’men, Wa Yatoub Allah Alaykom, Al Huqooq Al Sharaeya and Nafhat in Arabic. In Urdu, Ramadan Mah e Rehmat and Hoshyarian are available. The Holy Qur’an is also accessible through the system.
Moreover, popular series such as Ma Taraho Laysa Kama Yabdo, Febrayer Al Aswad, Al Mtwassf and Hazza are included. Among more than 6,500 on-demand channels, up to 450 offer Arabic movies and television content, while 400 channels feature Arabic music and podcasts.
Emirates has also launched a new range of Bukhoor home fragrances for Ramadan. The collection includes Oud Rose, Dreamy Nights and Sacred Ember. Each 70g pot is priced at USD 52 and available through the Emirates Official Store.
For Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina, Ramadan boxes are served in-flight. In addition, customers may check in one bottle of Zamzam water up to five litres per person at Dubai International Airport and selected airports in Saudi Arabia.
Emirates provides Ramadan awareness training to cabin crew and ground teams across its network. Training resources focus on cultural understanding and operational preparedness during the Holy Month.
