How 6 airlines are bringing Christmas dinner to the sky
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It’s that time of the year when the poinsettias come out and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” is blasting on repeat from any establishment with working speakers. And corporations, including major airlines, are getting into the holiday spirit by augmenting products and services with a festive twist.
You might see your flight attendant sporting holiday sweaters or, on Swiss, channeling their inner Rudolph with red noses on. And if seasonal displays are making you crave the flavors of gingerbread and Christmas pudding, you’re in luck, because they might be served on your next flight.
Many foreign airlines keep their selections in line with holiday customs around the world, such as the British tradition of eating turkey. That’s been a staple of Christmas dinner with origins in the U.K. dating back to the 1500s and a reference in the Charles Dickens novella “A Christmas Carol.”
Here are six airlines that are serving festive foods this year.
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British Airways
As part of its holiday-themed meal and snack selection, available through Jan. 4, British Airways is serving long-haul economy passengers a traditional roast turkey dinner and a mince pie. Business-class passengers will be served a British roast turkey followed by chocolate orange mousse, while first-class passengers get chestnut-stuffed British roast turkey with all the trimmings and a chocolate yule log.
Passengers on short-haul flights (less than three hours) will be able to purchase a variety of holiday-inspired treats, including gingerbread muffins and turkey feast sandwiches.
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Etihad Airways
Etihad is bringing its special menu to flights between the U.S. and Abu Dhabi, as well as select connecting routes, from Dec. 23 to Dec. 25. The airline plans to serve more than 50,000 Christmas dinners over this period, according to a news release.
Passengers can get a roast turkey roulade dinner with chestnut and thyme stuffing, herb and garlic potatoes, green beans and pumpkin with cranberry sauce. They can then choose from gingerbread cheesecake with berries and chocolate garnish, a Christmas yule log with red currant or warm Christmas pudding with custard and berries for dessert.
The airline will also be serving gingerbread lattes, a perfect drink to sip on while watching “Elf” onboard.
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Emirates
Emirates will serve a roasted turkey dinner for economy-class guests throughout the month of December. There’s also a chicken roulade, and plates are accompanied by chestnut stuffing, roasted potatoes with parsley, and a medley of seasonal vegetables.
First-class, business-class and premium economy-class passengers can indulge in lemon-and-herb-marinated king prawns in Marie Rose sauce, or cured salmon gravlax doused with ginger, candied orange and Sevruga caviar. First- and business-class passengers will also be welcomed with a spiced strawberry drink.
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Air Canada
On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, Air Canada will serve Christmas-inspired meals from airline catering company Gate Gourmet: sliced roasted turkey breast lathered in gravy, mashed Yukon potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and baby carrots.
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LATAM Airlines
The Latin American airline is serving festive foods from Gate Gourmet that incorporate traditional holiday spices from around the world, including cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, ginger and citrus fruits. For passengers flying on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the main dish is a roasted chicken platter with a spiced almond crust, orange and whiskey sauce, potato puree and sautéed vegetables with prosciutto. Certain flights can also pick sautéed turkey. Business-class passengers can choose from a range of desserts, such as caramelized spiced apples and ginger biscuits.
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Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is serving its holiday menu items from Gate Gourmet from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26 across their Upper, Premium and Economy cabins. Desserts include chocolate yuletide log and a classic mince pie. The airline will also roll out a vegetarian option: a roasted vegetable en croute served in a pumpkin puree. Passengers will receive the gift of a golden chocolate Lindt reindeer as they leave their cabins.
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