From the start until the end of Ramadan this year, Etihad Airways will be offering its passengers a series of seasonal offerings.
“Ramadan holds a special place in our hearts, it’s a time to reflect and to spread kindness. We are committed to sharing these Ramadan values across all touchpoints of our guests’ journey, starting from our lounges to onboard experiences,” said Turky Al Hammadi, Etihad Airways’ head of product and hospitality.
The special Ramadan offerings will include an Iftar menu blending Emirati flavours with a modern twist, with dishes such as lentil soup, Arabic mezze, lamb and date meatballs with saffron rice, lamb bukhari with smoked cardamom yoghurt, pulled chicken machbous pinza with chaami cheese and pickled onion, braised lamb with vermicelli rice, fresh salads, warm umm ali dessert, Vimto mousse, and olive oil and date cake, and more, all made using as many locally-sourced, premium and sustainable ingredients as possible.
In addition to the in-flight Iftar menus, passengers travelling through Etihad’s lounges in Abu Dhabi, New York, Washington DC, and London Heathrow will also be able to enjoy traditional Ramadan refreshments such as laban, Vimto, karkade, date milk, hydrating cucumber refreshers, and rose milk. Iftar meals will also be available to those breaking their fast at Etihad lounges before departure, with dishes including warm harira soup and lobster machbous ravioli to chicken biryani, Vimto cheesecake, rose and pistachio mahalabia and rangeena on the menu. Those breaking their fast just before or after landing will be provided with an Iftar bag decorated with traditional Emirati artwork, containing laban, water, and dates.
Dedicated prayer facilities will be available in Etihad’s premium lounges and onboard flights, incorporating real-time electronic Qibla pointers, while passengers will also have the option to contribute to charity and join in the Ramadan spirit of giving by donating their miles to those in need. Miles can be donated to “The Reach Campaign”, which supports families affected by river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, through the Etihad Guest website.
“We offer Etihad Guest members the opportunity to donate their miles, allowing them to spread kindness and support communities around the world. We have seen the generosity of our guests with over 250 million miles donated to a range of causes through the Etihad Guest programme to date. It’s initiatives like these that truly embody the spirit of generosity and compassion that Ramadan represents,” said Al Hammadi.
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The airline’s signature E-BOX entertainment system will also feature a selection of Ramadan programming and religious content – including Rehlat Haya, which explores and promotes behaviours that lead to happiness and stability from a different perspectives, as well as cooking show “Chef Bil Bait” and the El Dunia Ramadan series, which showcases how various cultures celebrate Ramadan and illustrates the diversity of the Muslim community around the world – as well as an audio version of the Holy Quran.
