Meals in Motion: The Science and Soul Behind Emirates’ In-Flight Dining

Image Source: The Jakarta Post

Ever curious about how your in-flight biryani or butter chicken ends up on your tray table at 35,000 feet? Meet the world's biggest airline kitchen—Emirates Flight Catering in Dubai, where more than 225,000 meals are cooked every day for over 400 flights worldwide.

A Culinary Operation of Epic Proportions

Spanning nearly 60,000 square meters, the Emirates kitchen is a marvel of logistics and precision. With a team of over 10,000 staff, the facility operates 24/7, producing meals for Emirates and 125 other airlines.

3 million+ items (crockery, cutlery, trays) are cleaned daily using industrial-scale washers
Separate kitchens handle Western, Asian, Arabic, and Indian cuisines
Meals are prepared, chilled for 4 hours, portioned, and packed with military-style precision
A monorail system takes trolleys around the complex to avoid cross-contamination

Farm-to-Fork in 14 Hours

Emirates also purchases fresh fruits and vegetables from Bustanica, the world's largest vertical farm, which happens to be nearby. Lettuce and herbs soil-free and pesticide-free are harvested and delivered to the kitchen in under 14 hours—offering freshness and sustainability.

Altitude Quality

Every serving is weighed and tested for consistency and taste at high altitudes, where our palate functions differently. From first-class lobster thermidor to economy-class biryani, every meal is carefully prepared with care and culinary science.

As one of the behind-the-scenes videos states: "It's not just food—it's a flying restaurant with 400 branches in the sky."

Sources: Banijay Food, Your Flight Radar, Sam Chui, Executive Traveller, What's On Dubai