When passengers think about airline food, chocolate may not be the first thing that comes to mind. At Emirates however, it’s a carefully considered part of the onboard dining experience.
Every year, passengers travelling across the airline’s global network enjoy more than 64 million pieces of premium chocolate, alongside around 26 million handcrafted chocolate desserts served across all four cabin classes. From a chocolate mousse cake in Economy to plated desserts in First Class, every chocolate that’s offered on board has been designed with the journey in mind.
Rather than working with a single chocolatier, Emirates sources chocolate from a range of premium suppliers, using cocoa from renowned growing regions in South America and Africa. The airline says each supplier is selected not only for quality and craftsmanship, but also for responsible sourcing.
The airline’s culinary team tailors these desserts to different routes, taking inspiration from regional tastes and seasonal ingredients. Mediterranean services may feature chocolate paired with berries or stone fruit, while flights to Asia could include combinations with yuzu, tropical fruits or matcha. On Middle Eastern routes, pistachio remains one of the most popular flavour pairings.
“Our chocolate desserts are never created in isolation,” Doxis Bekris, Vice President Culinary Design at Emirates said. “We look at the destinations they’re travelling to, the flavours customers enjoy in different parts of the world and the premium chocolate that best complements those ingredients.”
Behind the scenes, a team of 250 pastry and bakery chefs creates more than 120 chocolate desserts each year, continually updating recipes to reflect changing tastes. Dark chocolate continues to grow in popularity, while salted caramel remains one of the airline’s most requested flavour combinations.
Onboard, Economy passengers might receive a triple chocolate mousse cake, while Premium Economy features chocolate and pistachio mousse. Business Class displays more elaborate patisserie along with chocolates from UAE chocolatier Coco Jalila, while First Class passengers enjoy plated desserts and a rotating collection of luxury chocolates from producers in France, Belgium and the UAE.
Emirates’ airport lounges feature an evolving selection of desserts and confectionery from brands including Valrhona, La Rose Noir, Coco Jalila and Neuhaus.
