It seems Emirates has recently elliminated the traiditional vegetarian meal, forcing every vegetarian to go Vegan.
As a vegetarian traveller, I'm very familiar with all of the different meal codes, specially on long haul flights. Picking the wrong one my make the whole trip a very bad experience.
In a recent trip from Perth to Buenos Aires via Dubai, I selected the usual 'Vegetarian Ovo-Lacto Meal (VLML)', bud with such a bad luck that before I took the flight, Emirates decided to simplify their offering for vegetarian meals and simplify them all into "Strict Vegetarian (Vegan) VGML" but misleadingly renaiming it as 'Vegetarian Meal'.
The quality of the VGML meals I had were poor, insipid and with lack of taste and texture.
I used to be a strong supporter of Emirates, recommending it to my friends and colleagues, but not any more after all of the recent lost value in changes in meals, poor miles conversion, charging for seat selection, lost of credit card options to earn points, etc. It seems they've become just like the other airlines, more low-cost than other.
Emirates has lost its original charm, considerably reducing the value to frequent flyers.
That's such a shame. The last time I flew Emirates, I had the Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVML) and it was really quite nice. Very disappointing that they've lumped everyone into a "one size fits all" meal.
Agree John. Ultimately vegetarian/vegan are a minority. It would be cheaper for the airline to not have to carry a different meal for every dietary variation out there. The vegan meal covers both vegan and vegetarian, so I see no reason to have both.
Disagree Grannular. It's not hard to provide good quality, tasty vegan food. It doesn't take a lot of effort nor does it cost more to produce. It would be cheaper for the airline to not have to carry a different meal for every dietary variation out there however, the ticket is the same $ for all passengers so the service should not lack for any. Perhaps airline should consider making all meals vegan? This might considerably lower the cost of catering on all flights. This would be a nifty way of reducing air travel costs for all while doing their bit for the planet! Lets face facts, anyone who seriously rates airline food, regardless on the class of travel, as gourmet is drinking the marketing Kool-Aid. I find a packed meal is the best way to ensure I get what I need on any length of flight.Â
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Emirates cost cuts on vegetarian meals. No more VLML, it's all vegan now...
dariobon
dariobon
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 20 Aug 2017
Total posts 1
It seems Emirates has recently elliminated the traiditional vegetarian meal, forcing every vegetarian to go Vegan.
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JPMason
JPMason
Member since 11 Jul 2017
Total posts 1
That's such a shame. The last time I flew Emirates, I had the Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVML) and it was really quite nice. Very disappointing that they've lumped everyone into a "one size fits all" meal.
Bigbird
Bigbird
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Jun 2015
Total posts 40
The indian vegetarian was still available last week. At least there's a bit of flavor in that meal.
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
Can't expect any airline to carry 36 different variations of meals to suit everyone!
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 272
Agree John. Ultimately vegetarian/vegan are a minority. It would be cheaper for the airline to not have to carry a different meal for every dietary variation out there. The vegan meal covers both vegan and vegetarian, so I see no reason to have both.
digitalspeed
digitalspeed
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 23 Aug 2017
Total posts 1
Disagree Grannular. It's not hard to provide good quality, tasty vegan food. It doesn't take a lot of effort nor does it cost more to produce. It would be cheaper for the airline to not have to carry a different meal for every dietary variation out there however, the ticket is the same $ for all passengers so the service should not lack for any. Perhaps airline should consider making all meals vegan? This might considerably lower the cost of catering on all flights. This would be a nifty way of reducing air travel costs for all while doing their bit for the planet! Lets face facts, anyone who seriously rates airline food, regardless on the class of travel, as gourmet is drinking the marketing Kool-Aid. I find a packed meal is the best way to ensure I get what I need on any length of flight.Â