Emirates is marking Kerala’s harvest festival in style with a specially curated Onam sadhya menu served across all cabin classes. Until 6 September, travellers flying between Dubai and Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram can enjoy an authentic taste of Kerala while in the air.
To capture the spirit of the festival, meals are being presented on banana-leaf dish liners, adding to the cultural experience for passengers who may be missing home during the festive season.
Traditional starters and festive dips
The menu begins with appetisers that are staples of any Onam feast. Passengers will be served sharkara upperi (banana roasted in jaggery), kaya varuthathu (crispy banana chips) and kondattam mulaku (sun-dried chillies fried and steeped in yoghurt).
To complement the snacks, an array of traditional dips such as kaalan made with coconut, yoghurt and yam, cucumber pachadi and puli inji, a sweet and tangy ginger chutney, are also included. In premium cabins, Kerala-style pappadam and tangy mango pickle enhance the festive spread.
A variety of main course options
Emirates has carefully designed a main course that mirrors the balance of a traditional sadhya.
- Vegetarian sadhya: sambar, kootu, matta rice and carrot-pea thoran
- Alleppey kozhi curry: spiced chicken in coconut sauce with avial, chemba rice and thoran
- Nadan kozhi kari: pan-fried chicken with coconut and spices, paired with steamed rice
- Padavalanga thoran: snake gourd stir-fry with chemba rice, erissery and beans thoran
- First Class: Kerala-style chicken stew, exclusive to premium travellers
Each dish highlights the balance of flavours and cooking traditions that make Onam unique, ensuring every traveller finds something familiar and comforting.
Sweet endings with Onam favourites
No sadhya is complete without traditional desserts, and Emirates has included Kerala’s much-loved sweets on the festive menu. Passengers can look forward to palada pradhaman, a creamy rice pudding with nuts and raisins, or parippu payasam, a sweet lentil pudding topped with toasted coconut. These rich flavours round off the meal in true Onam style.
Entertainment with a regional touch
To make the journey even more memorable, Emirates has also expanded its Malayalam film selection during the festival. Passengers can choose from 15 Malayalam movies, alongside more than 170 Indian titles covering both classics and contemporary hits. For those celebrating Onam away from home, this is a thoughtful way to connect with the culture mid-flight.
Bringing a festival closer to home
For many Keralites living in the UAE, Onam is one of the most significant celebrations of the year. Emirates’ initiative allows them to celebrate even while travelling, turning flights into an extension of the festive experience. The combination of authentic flavours, banana-leaf serving tradition, and regional entertainment reflects how the airline continues to personalise journeys for its diverse passenger base.
By offering an Onam sadhya menu onboard flights from Dubai to Kerala, Emirates has created more than just a meal—it has created an experience rooted in culture and comfort. The initiative reflects the airline’s ongoing effort to serve not just food, but a sense of belonging for its passengers.
Read More:
- Dubai’s Top Spots for Authentic Onam 2025 Sadhya Feasts You Can’t Miss – Social Kandura
- Don’t Miss Out: Dubai’s Back-to-School Steals & Foodie Hotspots – Social Kandura
For more local news, cultural updates, and things to do across Dubai and the UAE, follow Social Kandura.
