Last month I wrote about how Emirates has changed its caviar policy for first class passengers for the better. This is noteworthy for two reasons — both for the policy as such, and for how rare it is for an airline to make a genuinely positive yet potentially expensive soft product improvement.
Continue reading: Emirates First Class Caviar Now “Unlimited”
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
"Let’s go over the details of what that means."
Good thing this article covered a few other things besides caviar, since I was worried that people need a full essay explaining to them that more caviar will be loaded onto the planes lol
I had been eyeing some EK F availability for a getaway and this makes it so much more tempting.
How much caviar can you really eat? I can’t imagine having more than one or two servings. But who knows, maybe there’s people out there that scarf down a pound at a time.
"Ultimately the tins of caviar cycle through the system, and any leftovers will be put onto other flights, so I assume that Emirates isn’t expecting all the caviar to actually be consumed"
Don't know if this is still the case, as former EK crew, we had to dispose of all leftover caviar when arriving into the US.... and by dispose that meant the crew had copious amounts of caviar in paper cups at top of descent!
I'm guessing on really long rage flights, like to the Americas or Australia, have some after take off, then a snack midflight, and some more before landing?
I commend them for doing this, it's certainly a positive change.
That being said - I've only been in Emirates first class (and had the caviar) once, and it wasn't really that good. It wasn't bad, but I didn't enjoy it enough to ask for a second serving. I'm curious how much they pay for it, since I imagine the order in considerable volume.
By contrast, the caviar on Lufthansa F was good, and I was proactively offered a second serving by the (great) FA. Would be nice if they stocked caviar spoons like Emirates, but I'll take the better caviar any day.
Caviar is overrated, people eat those just to feel rich. I tried it once just to see what the fuss is all about, and it’s ok I guess.
Unfortunately that changed around 2014ish….that was the only positive of flying the ULRs, irradiated from flyn over the pole and tired as all hell but just before “TOD” it was a Persian caviar party in the cockpit in those days! I think it was a customs issue with landing an Iranian product in the States kind of issue.
I was on a 747 Air India flight in first some 20+ years ago, and they served all the food from a cart. There was a 2-pound can of Beluga caviar, and apparently I was the only passenger eating any. But even I can't consume 2 lbs, and the rest had to be discarded upon landing.
Even before this new policy, I’ve never been shy about asking for extra caviar in EK First. After all, it’s dining on demand, which means you should be able to order as much as you want of whatever you want. The most I’ve ever had on one flight was three orders, and the crew has always been most willing to bring me seconds and thirds.
Can attest to the awesome new caviar policy! Last month my fiancee and I flew around the world. One segment from MLE ->(777) DBX ->(A380) AMS on Emirates first and we were the only 2 in first on both legs. First flight leg, no caviar 🙁 , but 4 bottles of champagne (Dom 2012). Second flight leg, 5 tins of caviar (had some making up to do), and 5 bottles of champagne (Dom 2012). Used points, so we got our money's worth :p . Now I will have to fly Emirates first again to experience all these other new updates.
ps - long time reader, first time poster. really great stuff this site puts out.
Jan, Beluga caviar is an acquired taste. Of course, one can argue whether or not this is the taste worth of acquiring....
I was told in old days of Soviet union one could readily exchange vodka to caviar based on 1:1 volume in GUW airport, which was used to refluel AN-24 turboprops.
Perfect timing.Just after your last flight with your friend of EK.This must have something to do with your post.
Most airlines do not offer the best quality caviar but just the cheapest. Practically all countries produce caviar and sometimes it is very good, like Belgian but hard to get. The best is probably Chinese. Italian is quite good too, Of course Persian is good as is Russian. When I lived in Iran we often got some caviar on a blini served with drinks in a bar. Even the better quality is affordable if you can afford First.
New in Emirates is the mother-of-pearl spoon and the serving in small tins (not my favourite).
Perlmutter is no longer essential when you have no silver cutlery. The lemon can be just a small piece, not a half lemon, please. EK is OK now.
EK used Persian caviar except on flights to the USA. Food in First is often inedible. This is because Emirates does not have chefs to prepare it and even national dishes from Belgium come out wrong. Even from Dubai food in First can be bad whereas food in the lounge is excellent
I just flew Bangkok Dubai Manchester and did just that on two consecutive planes. Emirates are the best and I love their caviar.
I will fly Emerates First class this coming May 2024. In fact I will have 5 segments in first class in a month time. Am a trained Chef and this unlimited Caviar and Dom Perignon sounds great to me. And I intend to ask for double portions in aach segment. Maybe in my Dubai JFK segment I will ask caviar twice.
This is good to know as I will fly first class DXB-JFK. If they have to dispose left over caviar, then I will ask for more.
it's overrated to you and yet you still have to take a shot at people who do actually like it. 1) TETO 2)MYOFB
It's overrated to you. No one says you have to like. Yet you still have to take a shot at people who do actually like it. 1) TETO 2)MYOFB
Emirates should not serve caviar, it's production is cruel and painful for the female Beluga sturgeon - it has also driven the species close to extinction in some parts of the world:
https://www.organicauthority.com/buzz-news/ethically-sourced-or-not-is-caviar-still-a-relevant-food