Emirates to resume normal in-flight food and drink services in November

The Dubai airline has also reopened its in-flight shower spas and lounges

Emirates is resuming regular food and beverage services on all flights in November. Courtesy Emirates

Emirates is resuming normal food and beverage services on all flights from November 1.

The Dubai airline is bringing its in-flight services back to what they were in pre-coronavirus days. This means travellers will once again be given multi-course menus with hot and cold meals, as well as complimentary beverages on flights.

Previously, the airline had switched to pre-packaged meals and a limited beverage service in order to cut down on interaction between passengers and crew. The airline will now "return to its signature service while observing strict hygiene protocols".

Enhanced hygiene measures include compulsory face masks for passengers, personal protective equipment for staff and digital menus in place of paper ones. Passengers with coming bookings can use the Emirates app to view the menu set to be offered on their flights.

In-flight showers and takeaway bars 

Travellers flying First Class with Emirates can get set to use the shower service again. The airline has resumed its shower spa services on-board its A380 flights, allowing travellers to refresh while 40,000 feet in the air. New health and safety measures are in place to help keep travellers safe when using the facilities. These include disposable bath towels and spa products provided in individual amenity bags.

There's also a new takeaway bar set-up for premium customers flying on Emirates A380 and select Boeing 777 flights. The Emirates Onboard Lounge has reduced seating capacity thanks to social distancing protocols, but travellers can order take-away drinks and pre-packaged snacks to take back to their seats. Staff manning the bar area will wear personal protective equipment and passengers must keep their face masks on at all times on flights, including when going to and from the bar or shower areas.

All travellers flying with Emirates are given complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes. Passengers are also covered for any Covid-19 related medical expenses should they be diagnosed with the virus during their travel.

Emirates paused its commercial passenger flights in March when the UAE closed its airspace to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Since then, the Dubai airline has been gradually resuming its network as travel restrictions around the world ease. It is currently operating to almost 70 per cent of its original network with flights to 99 destinations around the world.