Emirates turns skies into Thanksgiving dining room with festive US route menus
Traditional flavours featured in all travel classes
DUBAI – Emirates is bringing the spirit of Thanksgiving to the skies, unveiling festive menus, themed drinks and immersive entertainment across flights between Dubai and the United States from 24 to 30 November.
In a culinary celebration spanning all travel classes and select airport lounges, passengers will enjoy traditional flavours, contemporary twists and seasonal surprises crafted to elevate their holiday journeys. Thanksgiving-themed dishes will also be available at Emirates Lounges in Dubai, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Onboard, the Thanksgiving experience begins in style, with First, Business and Premium Economy Class passengers waking up to the aroma of cinnamon pancakes accompanied by seasonal apple and cranberry compote and whipped ricotta pumpkin cream. Business Class travellers will also enjoy complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls for a sweet morning treat.
First Class dining
In First Class, passengers are treated to gourmet indulgence with a menu designed to reflect classic Thanksgiving richness. Starters include creamy celeriac and pear soup with leek julienne, and sweet potato soup with poached lobster and chives, followed by appetisers such as smoked salmon with chives, cucumber, pea shoots and horseradish sauce, or an elegant seafood platter featuring poached prawn, smoked salmon, crab cocktail and salmon gravadlax. Caviar, horseradish and wakame elevate the fine dining experience further.
The main course selection spotlights festive favourites. Guests can enjoy turkey leg roulade with roasted butternut, mashed potatoes, buttered brussels sprouts, roasted pecans and cranberry jus lié, or savour lemon, zaatar and buttermilk roasted turkey served with celeriac apple purée, maple-roasted caraway pumpkin and beetroot, kale with cranberries, pecan and cornbread stuffing. Desserts embody seasonal warmth, including warm apple fritters with mascarpone, chocolate marble cheesecake with berry compote, key lime tart with raspberry coulis, and hot toffee apple and pecan cake with salted caramel and marshmallows.
Business Class indulgence
Business Class passengers will enjoy dishes such as sweet potato soup, creamy celeriac and pear soup, and salmon gravadlax paired with ginger, candied orange, carrot coulis, blackberries and Beluga caviar. Main courses echo holiday tradition, including lemon zaatar and buttermilk roasted turkey with celeriac apple puree, maple-roasted caraway pumpkin and beetroot, kale with cranberries, pecan and cornbread stuffing, or turkey roulade with all the classic trimmings. Dessert options include key lime tart or cheesecake with strawberry basil confit.
On Emirates A380 flights to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC, First and Business Class travellers can also visit the onboard lounge to enjoy pecan cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, paired with premium whiskeys, cocktails, champagne and wine.
Premium Economy experience
Premium Economy guests are served a festive salad of grilled artichoke antipasti, butternut squash, broad beans, kale, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, or a shrimp cocktail with fennel salad. Main dishes include tender turkey roulade with all the trimmings or buttermilk and herb roasted turkey with cranberry jus lié, mashed sweet potato, paprika potato wedges, blanched broccolini and honey glazed pumpkin topped with crushed pecans. The meal is completed with a Chantilly cream-topped key lime tart or berry cheesecake with red berry coulis.
Economy Class celebration
Travellers in Economy Class departing from the US are welcomed with a festive drink of orange, pomegranate, apple and cinnamon. Starters include quinoa salad with kale, butternut squash and crushed pecans or the classic Waldorf salad. The main course offers festive roasted chicken with cranberry jus lié, chestnut roulade with turkey bacon, maple baked parsnips, carrot mash, peas and potato wedges. For dessert, passengers can enjoy salted caramel milk cake or sticky toffee pudding before rounding off the experience with a warm Snickerdoodle cookie.
Lounge exclusives
Between 23 and 30 November, Emirates Lounges in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco are offering a curated Thanksgiving menu featuring roasted mushroom bisque with crème fraîche and truffles, followed by cider-brined turkey breast with roasted apples and herbs, traditional gravy, cranberry compote, brioche stuffing with apricots, onions, kale and dates, creamy mashed potatoes with butter and chives, and brussels sprouts with pepitas and sunflower seeds. Desserts include pumpkin-spiced olive oil cake with maple mascarpone and caramel sauce, complemented by seasonal cocktails.
In Dubai, lounge guests will enjoy roasted turkey breast with cranberry sauce, rosemary roasted potatoes, paprika-glazed chestnuts, and roasted root vegetables with brussels sprouts. Dessert choices include pecan pie, white chocolate and cranberry cheesecake, and pumpkin cranberry cheesecake, alongside festive beverages such as pumpkin spiced martinis, maple pumpkin sangria and spiced pear delight mocktails.
Holiday entertainment
Emirates’ in-flight entertainment adds to the holiday experience by streaming NBA games live on Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, featuring top teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. The airline’s ice entertainment system offers more than 6,500 channels, including 2,000 movies, 650 TV shows and over 4,000 hours of music, podcasts and audiobooks in more than 40 languages.
Expansive US connectivity
Emirates currently operates flights to 12 destinations in the United States: Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle, Newark, Orlando, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami.