As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, Emirates is focusing on providing a unique packaging experience for its fasting passengers. The airline will offer thousands of specially curated Ramadan meal boxes onboard, as well as Iftar boxes at boarding gates, all designed to enhance the journey for travellers observing the fast.
Embracing Bedouin Heritage in Packaging
Starting from 22 March, passengers traveling to select Emirates destinations will receive Ramadan meal boxes that not only cater to their nutritional needs but also reflect the rich Emirati heritage of Al Sadu weavers. Al Sadu, a traditional form of weaving practiced by Bedouin women in the UAE, is characterized by its distinctive geometric patterns. These bespoke meal boxes, designed by Emirates, pay homage to this heritage. The boxes will include a variety of light dishes and starters such as hummus, spinach bil zeit, Greek salad, cauliflower bil tahini, falafel sandwiches, pasta salad, fried aubergine with mint, zaatar chicken salad, and chicken musakhan sandwiches with Arabic bread, as well as traditional dates and refreshing laban.
Capturing the Essence of Ramadan in Packaging
Emirates is also ensuring that the Iftar boxes served at boarding gates are thoughtfully packaged to include all the essentials needed to break the fast comfortably. These packaging efforts aim to enhance the overall Ramadan experience for passengers, reflecting the social aspect of the Holy Month as family and friends gather to share meals.
Innovative Packaging Solutions for In-Flight Service
To accurately cater to fasting Muslim passengers, Emirates uses a unique tool to calculate imsak (the time to commence fasting) and iftar timings while in-flight, based on the aircraft’s longitude, latitude, and altitude. Passengers are then officially informed of the iftar time by the captain, ensuring a seamless and well-informed experience.
Emirates’ commitment to providing a thoughtful and culturally sensitive packaging experience extends beyond the meal boxes. The airline’s lounges at Dubai International Airport (DXB) will also offer traditional Arabic sweets, dates, and coffee during Ramadan, further enhancing the packaging of the overall journey for passengers observing the fast.