Emirates elevates business class dining with new gourmet menu and exclusive Moët & Chandon champagne pairings

Emirates has introduced a new level of in-flight dining for its Business Class passengers, launching 18 new dishes paired with Moët & Chandon champagnes. This offering is now available on most medium- and long-haul flights worldwide. The new menu items can be previewed before the flight and are marked with a crown icon, signaling their inclusion in the curated champagne pairing experience.

The collaboration behind these dishes brings together Jean Michel Bardet, executive chef at Moët & Chandon and Michelin-star recipient, and Doxis Bekris, Emirates’ vice president of culinary design. Over the course of a year, the two teams worked between France and Dubai to develop dishes that meet the high standards of both brands while also being suitable for large-scale airline catering. Emirates serves more than 77 million meals annually, averaging 149 meals per minute.

Among the new starters is poached scallops with green melon, blanched kumquat, lemon gel, and toasted almonds, paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016. The dish is designed to highlight the delicate flavors of the scallops and complement the champagne’s bouquet. Vegan options are also featured, such as silken tofu with poached asparagus, soy emulsion with olive oil, lemon gel, and cashew cream. This dish is paired with Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, with the tofu marinated in lemon juice and soy sauce to enhance the umami notes of the champagne.

Main courses include roasted duck served with braised eggplant and chickpeas in a spiced couscous jus with cherry tomatoes, matched with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial. The combination aims to balance the structure of the rosé with the spices and acidity of the dish. Another main course features sliced roasted turkey with sage chicken jus, mashed potatoes, braised fennel, and almonds, paired again with Grand Vintage 2016. The pairing is intended to bring out both the herbal notes of the fennel and the umami from the sage-infused jus.

Seafood lovers can opt for grilled Chilean sea bass served with artichoke purée, lemongrass sauce, and buttered peas. This dish is paired with Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial to match its subtle flavors and creamy texture. Vegan travelers are not left out; stewed lentils with coconut served alongside steamed basmati rice, spiced cauliflower with peas, and naan bread are paired with Rosé Impérial. The dish is crafted to play off the champagne’s fruitiness and effervescence.

Throughout development, chefs from both Emirates and Moët & Chandon exchanged ideas on how to recreate fine-dining experiences at altitude. They considered factors such as how food tastes change in flight due to lower humidity and pressure, as well as how dishes could be efficiently plated by cabin crew for consistent presentation.

Emirates’ relationship with Moët Hennessy spans 33 years. Moët & Chandon champagnes are a signature part of Emirates’ premium experience and are available in all Emirates lounges worldwide. Onboard service includes complimentary champagne in First Class and Business Class cabins; it is also available for purchase in Premium Economy and Economy Class.

The airline’s exclusive rights extend to serving Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015, Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2009, Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 2004 (transitioning to 2006 from July), Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, Imperial Rosé, Grand Vintage Blanc 2016, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, and Veuve Clicquot Vintage Blanc 2015. For Premium Economy passengers, Emirates offers Australian sparkling wine Chandon Vintage Brut 2019 as a global exclusive.

This new menu marks another step in Emirates’ ongoing commitment to enhancing its onboard service through partnerships with leading names in gastronomy and wine. The airline continues to invest in its culinary program as part of its “fly better” promise to customers traveling across its global network from Dubai.