Emirates, Etihad, Qatar: alcohol restrictions during Ramadan explained
By Chris Chamberlin , June 16 2015
As Muslims around the world begin fasting this week in observance of Ramadan, travellers on Gulf airlines Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways may notice subtle differences when flying during the Islamic Holy month.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan this year begins on Thursday June 18 and concludes on Thursday July 16. Muslims fast during daylight hours throughout Ramadan, although non-Muslim travellers needn’t worry about going hungry: you’ll still find food waiting for you in the lounges and in the air.
But when it comes to alcohol, each airline has a different policy. Here's what you can expect from each of the Gulf's 'big three'.
Alcohol during Ramadan: Emirates
A spokesperson for Qantas partner Emirates told Australian Business Traveller that “Emirates will continue to offer alcohol in all lounges and on flights during Ramadan.”
For non-Muslims, that means you can enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot or Moët & Chandon in all of Emirates' worldwide lounges, including in Australia and in Dubai, with the A380 inflight bar and lounge buzzing as usual.
However, Emirates notes that alcohol isn’t available on flights to or from Saudi Arabia – including destinations Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina and Dammam – “which has always been the case, regardless of Ramadan", the spokesman said.
Alcohol during Ramadan: Etihad Airways
Etihad will continue serving alcohol in its international lounges including in Sydney, London and Paris, but this “will not be displayed in the bar area in the usual manner during daylight fasting hours”, an Etihad spokesperson told Australian Business Traveller.
However, the airline's lounges at its Abu Dhabi hub will not serve alcohol during daylight fasting times "out of respect for local customs," with the lounge's bars open only from 7pm to 3am daily until Ramadan concludes.
Etihad's impressive collection of spirits in the Abu Dhabi Premium Lounge
Alcohol will continue to be available as usual on all Etihad flights, including those departing from or arriving at Abu Dhabi Airport.
Alcohol during Ramadan: Qatar Airways
Alcohol will still be served on flights during Ramadan – including from Doha to Australia and Europe, and in the airline’s London Heathrow lounge.
It's business as usual in Qatar Airways' London Heathrow Premium Lounge
However, a Qatar Airways spokesperson advised that “in respect of the Holy month of Ramadan, alcohol will not be served in (Doha’s) Hamad International Airport during Ramadan." This means that, in effect, Qatar lounges at Doha will be an around-the-clock 'dry zone' until Ramadan’s end on July 16.
This same policy will also apply at the Al Mourjan Lounge and Qatar’s separate ‘business class’ and ‘first class’ lounges for Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members travelling in economy.
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Chris Chamberlin is the Associate Editor of Executive Traveller, and lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 3048
While Australian Business Traveller encourages reader comments on all articles, we do not welcome comments that are abusive, contain foul language, attack other readers or are 'off-topic' – such comments will be edited or deleted as appropriate, and in accordance with our comment policy.
We especially request that comments relating to restrictions on the service of alcohol during Ramadan remain respectful of Islam, in the same way that readers would hope for their own beliefs to be respected.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 574
I'd like to think the Ausbt reader's aren't your typical uninformed, today/tonight viewing bogan's who think this is an opportunity to sledge off at a portion of the population... But glad you put that disclaimer there.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jan 2015
Total posts 106
1st, sorry for hitting report, rather than reply, i have only had 3 coffees so far today.
2nd, unfortunately i have noticed, probably along with a few other frequent readers, that for some unknown reason, people taking offence at some of the news being reported, i remember the recent 'Lindt Balls' incident being a key example.
I would hope we aren't all biggots, but a few tend to get through the cracks from time to time
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 574
Ah yes... I recall the Lindt balls. Emirates lounges are one of many things where a Muslim company faciliates non muslim beliefs. Be it through Lindt balls, the selection of booze, the stress standards.... But I'm getting off track!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 316
This is the most civilised comments section I engage in on the net.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 229
By talking like this we are probably, ironically, voiding the very comment policy we are talking about by being off-topic.
However, I fully agree - the folks that comment here are the most civilised on the net.
BTW - I like the name speedbird, a nod to the call sign that British Airways uses I assume.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 316
Laugh... Quite. I think Chris will forgive us.. But just in case I will add my two cents worth re Ramadan.
When visiting one of these Gulf states during Ramadan, remember no eating in public, which includes chewing gum.
As for the username. Originally it was a nod to my surname being Bird... Only found out about the BA call sign afterwards (watching that documentary about flight British Airways Flight 9). Happy coincidence ??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 229
A question I get alot from folks traveling to 'Islamic Countries' is 'When exactly does fasting begin and end'?
The answer is fasting starts at Fajr (morning prayer) and finishes at Maghrib (the prayer after sunset).
To know exactly when those times are you can go to a site such as islamic finder and look up the times for the city you are going to be in.
Example here for some UAE cities: https://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayerNew.php?country=United_Arab_Emirates
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 3048
Thank you for sharing this fxdxdy, I'm sure a number of business travellers stopping over in the Middle East will find this useful.
Also just to clarify, Etihad's alcohol service times in Abu Dhabi are as published above (7pm-3am), rather than being timed exactly in line with Maghrib and Fajr.
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 62
Chris, I assume Etihad and Qatar have operated this policy in previous years. Do you know if it has had any negative affect on their load factors compared to Emirates for the Ramadan period?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 3048
Hi paa, we don't have any information to share in that regard.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 513
im assuming QF wouldn't be affected by this on their DXB routes.
30 Jun 2011
Total posts 50
Slight surprised to see what I suspected was a muslim man in AUH Etihad lounge downing a few Stellas last month. I guess the same rules don't apply in 'international' space.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
It seems you could do what Queen Elizabeth the First could not even do; make windows into men's souls ;)
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3034
The Arab world has had a very interesting relationship with alcohol. Since alcohol is already taboo but still served openly, I don't see why things should be any different in the month of Ramadhan. I was watching the film, "Cat on Hot Tin Roof" again last week. The word mendacity comes to mind...
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 71
I have no problem with any of these Airlines' policy re Alcohol during Ramadan. Most of them are serving it on board anyway. Even if they weren't I don't think it's a crisis for most of us except for some heavy boozers and alcoholics!
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