With Ramadan starting in early March, Emirates and Etihad detailed on 20 February how they will accommodate fasting passengers during one of the busiest travel months. Both carriers will supply pre-packaged iftar snack boxes at selected gates and on board, announce prayer and breaking-fast times based on cockpit calculations, and stream religious programming across in-flight entertainment.
![UAE airlines unveil Ramadan travel experience: iftar boxes, prayer mats and suhoor kits]()
For travellers heading to the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan who still need to arrange entry paperwork, VisaHQ can streamline the entire visa application process and provide real-time status updates, letting passengers avoid consulate queues during this especially busy travel period. Explore their UAE services at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Etihad’s premium-cabin menus will feature Emirati-inspired dishes—think lamb kabsa and pistachio kunafa—while economy travellers receive Arabic-braised lamb or chicken with vermicelli rice. In its Abu Dhabi and Heathrow lounges, the airline will set up live cooking stations for suhoor platters. Emirates is adding complimentary prayer mats on board and expanding its Ice entertainment line-up with popular Ramadan dramas in Arabic and Urdu. The airline said the timing of the sunset signal will be announced by the captain and synchronised with the aircraft’s longitude to ensure religious accuracy. For globally mobile staff who must fly during the holy month, the initiatives reduce health and productivity concerns linked to fasting at altitude. Travel managers should, however, factor longer boarding times at iftar-heavy departure banks and remind employees that liquid restrictions still apply to drinks carried in iftar boxes.
For travellers heading to the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan who still need to arrange entry paperwork, VisaHQ can streamline the entire visa application process and provide real-time status updates, letting passengers avoid consulate queues during this especially busy travel period. Explore their UAE services at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
Etihad’s premium-cabin menus will feature Emirati-inspired dishes—think lamb kabsa and pistachio kunafa—while economy travellers receive Arabic-braised lamb or chicken with vermicelli rice. In its Abu Dhabi and Heathrow lounges, the airline will set up live cooking stations for suhoor platters. Emirates is adding complimentary prayer mats on board and expanding its Ice entertainment line-up with popular Ramadan dramas in Arabic and Urdu. The airline said the timing of the sunset signal will be announced by the captain and synchronised with the aircraft’s longitude to ensure religious accuracy. For globally mobile staff who must fly during the holy month, the initiatives reduce health and productivity concerns linked to fasting at altitude. Travel managers should, however, factor longer boarding times at iftar-heavy departure banks and remind employees that liquid restrictions still apply to drinks carried in iftar boxes.
