Ramadan 2024 has simply kicked off as of March 10, and this yr it runs by means of April 9. On condition that the “huge three” Gulf carriers are all primarily based in nations that usually observe Ramadan, I needed to supply a fast rundown of what individuals ought to anticipate when flying these airways over the subsequent few weeks.
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims usually quick throughout daytime (although some make exceptions when touring). Consequently, airways will serve an Iftar meal on most flights, which is the meal with which individuals break their quick after sunset. These not observing Ramadan are in fact free to eat as common, and airways accommodate that.
Nonetheless, some airways do barely regulate their alcohol insurance policies throughout Ramadan. For the Gulf carriers, it’s an attention-grabbing steadiness between respecting their “roots” whereas additionally serving non-Muslim worldwide vacationers, lots of whom are touring between non-Muslim nations, and are merely utilizing the area as a connecting level.
Right here’s my understanding of what you need to anticipate if flying Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways, over the approaching weeks (and if any insurance policies have been adjusted this yr and I obtained them mistaken, please let me know!).
Do Gulf airways serve alcohol onboard throughout Ramadan?
Onboard Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways flights, you may anticipate it to largely be enterprise as common throughout Ramadan. That’s to say that alcohol must be served to all locations besides Saudi Arabia, which is the case year-round.
You might discover some variations in how alcohol is served and displayed, although:
- On the Qatar Airways A380 onboard bar, alcohol will not be displayed, however moderately is more likely to simply be saved beneath the bar (on the Emirates bar it’s displayed as common)
- Some experiences in previous years counsel that on Etihad and Qatar Airways, they’ll pour alcohol within the galley for first and enterprise class passengers, moderately than bringing out the bottles and pouring on the seat; this appears to be crew dependent, and I’ve additionally had the alternative experiences throughout Ramadan
These are all minor issues, and for all sensible functions, alcohol service ought to stay the identical within the air.
Do Gulf airways serve alcohol in lounges throughout Ramadan?
Whilst you received’t discover a lot of a change throughout Ramadan within the air, you might discover some variations on the bottom. Of the three carriers, Emirates is the one one which doesn’t regulate its insurance policies in its Emirates Lounges worldwide.
In the meantime in Etihad Lounges and Qatar Airways Lounges, alcohol remains to be served throughout all hours of the day for Ramadan, but it surely merely received’t be displayed on the bar. It’s value noting that Gulf carriers appear to have liberalized their insurance policies concerning this in recent times, as going again a number of years, Etihad and Qatar Airways didn’t serve alcohol of their lounges throughout Ramadan.
Backside line
Whereas Ramadan has main implications for Muslims, Gulf carriers do a fairly job of discovering a steadiness of serving non-Muslims throughout this era as properly. Should you’re flying with Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways, you need to discover that it’s largely enterprise as common.
Should you fly one of many Gulf carriers throughout Ramadan, please report again together with your expertise!
