Emirates celebrates Eid al Fitr onboard and in lounges
Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr is expected from April 20 to 21. Emirates will mark the occasion with an array of regional flavors onboard, traditional Eid dishes in the lounges, and new Arabic movies and content on ice.
From April 21 to 24, Economy passengers departing Dubai will be treated to the flavorsome favorites of Eid including chicken mandi in traditional spices, served with rice and crunchy fried onions; fish harra, baked dory with spiced tomato sauce, accompanied by ghee rice and roasted pistachios; braised lamb with jameed, served with rice and roasted cashew and almonds; or a seafood machbouse marinated in a myriad of Middle Eastern spices.
Passengers traveling in Premium Economy, Business, and First Class will enjoy dishes like fish matfy, a Middle Eastern-style fish in tomato sauce served with basmati rice; marinated chicken tahta with Emirati spices, served with dill rice, roasted potatoes, aubergine, and carrots; roasted beef madfoon in classic spices with vegetables, served with aromatic rice; or a tender Gulf-style braised lamb with vegetables and basmati rice.
Sometimes known as the “sweet Eid,” Eid al Fitr is renowned for its sugary delights savored after a month of fasting. Emirates, then, will be offering passengers plenty of delicious desserts, such as warm date pudding garnished with fresh berries, dates, and pistachios in First Class; a fluffy vanilla sponge cake with white chocolate and hibiscus cream in Business and Premium Economy Class; and batheetha, a sumptuous saffron date crumble or asseda, sweet pumpkin topped with roasted cashew nuts in Economy Class.
In the onboard A380 lounge, there will be a selection of Emirati pastries to relish, or passengers can help themselves to a decadent slice of Arabic coffee cake adorned with fresh berries, dates, and pistachios. All passengers will receive an additional mini treat of ashta sfouf with their meal wishing them ‘Eid Mubarak,’—a sweet turmeric and sesame cake with cream.
In Dubai’s airport lounges on April 21, First Class passengers can explore a wide selection of lounge fare which will include Arabic coffee, jallab and kamarruddin juice, hot and cold Arabic mezzeh, lamb or Emirati ouzi served with dakous and coriander mint raita, followed by all-time favorite kunafa with pistachio and baklava ice cream.
Passengers relaxing in the First Class lounge will also be invited to try Eid mocktail creations like “Sumacgroni,” a combination of red grapes, orange juice, bitter syrup, sumac powder, and Za’atar leaves; or “Coco Sahlab,” a medley of coconut cream, almond, and agave syrup with a sprinkle of pistachio powder.
In the Business Class lounges of Dubai, there will be classic shish taouk with harissa red pepper dip, alongside more Eid mocktails such as the“Rumman Cooler,” a refreshing beverage combining rose- and vanilla-flavored Ceylon tea, grenadine, and date syrup; or the “Mint Blossom,” a mix of green apple and lemon juice, agave, and mint leaves.
Both lounges will have tempting desserts available throughout the day like mafroukeh pistachio, katayef walnut, asifiri ashta, baklawa pistachio finger, and sweet cashew kol w shkor.
Passengers can also take a stroll to the Emirates old-fashioned ice cream cart in the lounge to enjoy homemade baklava and Arabic coffee ice cream especially made for Eid celebrations.
A variety of content will be available on the award-winning ice inflight entertainment for those traveling over Eid al Adha, including more than 100 Arabic films, with new releases such as Mako, Banat Abdul Rahman, Kharouf Al Eid and more, 30 channels of Arabic TV series, 16 channels of Arabic podcasts and audiobooks, The Holy Qur’an, and more than 500 channels of Arabic music including pop, classics, Khaleeji, Maghrebi and Arabic fusion.
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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Emirates.