Ramadan 2024 has just kicked off as of March 10, and this year it runs through April 9. Given that the “big three” Gulf carriers are all based in countries that generally observe Ramadan, I wanted to provide a quick rundown of what people should expect when flying these airlines over the next few weeks.
During Ramadan, Muslims typically fast during daylight hours (though some make exceptions when traveling). As a result, airlines will serve an Iftar meal on most flights, which is the meal with which people break their fast after sundown. Those not observing Ramadan are of course free to eat as usual, and airlines accommodate that.
However, some airlines do slightly adjust their alcohol policies during Ramadan. For the Gulf carriers, it’s an interesting balance between respecting their “roots” while also serving non-Muslim international travelers, many of whom are traveling between non-Muslim countries, and are simply using the region as a connecting point.
Here’s my understanding of what you should expect if flying Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways, over the coming weeks (and if any policies have been adjusted this year and I got them wrong, please let me know!).
In this post:
Do Gulf airlines serve alcohol onboard during Ramadan?
Onboard Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways flights, you can expect it to mostly be business as usual during Ramadan. That’s to say that alcohol should be served to all destinations except Saudi Arabia, which is the case year-round.
You may notice some differences in how alcohol is served and displayed, though:
- At the Qatar Airways A380 onboard bar, alcohol may not be displayed, but rather is likely to just be stored underneath the bar (at the Emirates bar it’s displayed as usual)
- Some reports in past years suggest that on Etihad and Qatar Airways, they’ll pour alcohol in the galley for first and business class passengers, rather than bringing out the bottles and pouring at the seat; this seems to be crew dependent, and I’ve also had the opposite experiences during Ramadan
These are all minor things, and for all practical purposes, alcohol service should remain the same in the air.
Do Gulf airlines serve alcohol in lounges during Ramadan?
While you won’t notice much of a change during Ramadan in the air, you may notice some differences on the ground. Of the three carriers, Emirates is the only one that doesn’t adjust its policies in its Emirates Lounges worldwide.
Meanwhile in Etihad Lounges and Qatar Airways Lounges, alcohol is still served during all hours of the day for Ramadan, but it simply won’t be displayed at the bar. It’s worth noting that Gulf carriers seem to have liberalized their policies regarding this in recent years, as going back several years, Etihad and Qatar Airways didn’t serve alcohol in their lounges during Ramadan.
Bottom line
While Ramadan has major implications for Muslims, Gulf carriers do a pretty job of finding a balance of serving non-Muslims during this period as well. If you’re flying with Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways, you should find that it’s mostly business as usual.
If you fly one of the Gulf carriers during Ramadan, please report back with your experience!
Ramadhan Kareem!
@Ben you write about these three every year. But what about the others: Gulf Air, Oman, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish, Uzbekistan Air?
Iran Air?
Can someone help me understand the alcohol during Ramadan situation?
1. I thought alcohol was always haram, regardless of the season of year in Islam.
2. Even if it isn't, isn't total fasting required from sunrise to sunset anyway? So why the emphasis on alcohol if practicing Muslims are already fasting from all food and drink during daylight.
3. If it's always haram, wouldn't Gulf airlines avoid the showiness of the alcohol...
Can someone help me understand the alcohol during Ramadan situation?
1. I thought alcohol was always haram, regardless of the season of year in Islam.
2. Even if it isn't, isn't total fasting required from sunrise to sunset anyway? So why the emphasis on alcohol if practicing Muslims are already fasting from all food and drink during daylight.
3. If it's always haram, wouldn't Gulf airlines avoid the showiness of the alcohol at all times, rather than just Ramadan.
I'm all for the airline honoring the religion of their home country, but I don't understand why there is a distinction.
Im no Muslim but:
1. Alcohol is actually forbidden for all Abrahamic religions, though many choose to interpret their holy book differently. Christians also often skip alcohol in the fasting month.
2. There are exceptions when traveling, being sick etc.
3. As alcohol is very much a global luxury thing and gulf nations are looking for prestige they walked away from this (except Saudi Arabia)
Alcohol is not forbidden in Judaism or in Christianity. Catholicism holds that drunkenness is a sin, but certainly does not hold that alcohol is forbidden. Some choose to abstain from alcohol during Lent, but that is purely a personal choice. And Catholics never give up something during Lent that would be sinful to resume on Easter Sunday.
Consuming Alcohol is always forbidden in Islam. The reason the Gulf airlines serve and promote their alcohol selection is to appeal to travelers from other regions, especially those from the west. Alcohol is tied to luxury in some countries, which is why it is so often served on planes. It has become an expectation for some people to be served alcohol on an airline, and for some that impacts which airline they fly. For example,...
Consuming Alcohol is always forbidden in Islam. The reason the Gulf airlines serve and promote their alcohol selection is to appeal to travelers from other regions, especially those from the west. Alcohol is tied to luxury in some countries, which is why it is so often served on planes. It has become an expectation for some people to be served alcohol on an airline, and for some that impacts which airline they fly. For example, look at any airline review posted on OMAAT of a "dry" airline (one that doesn't serve alcohol). I can almost guarantee you there will be a comment by someone on how they would never fly a dry airline. In order to appeal to everyone to become a truly global airline, most Gulf Airlines serve alcohol. They see it as a compromise for business.
The month of Ramadan is the most holy month in the year in Islam. It is emphasized that this is a time where a person spends more time in their religion. As a result, for sensitivity purposes, the Gulf airlines will not serve alcohol during this month, or at a minimum they won't display it prominently. Hope this answers your question (I am a Muslim btw).
Just completed a trip ZRH-DOH-PNH on QR, with the DOH transfer and the second leg falling into Ramadan. I can confirm, no difference. In the air, the Q-Suites obviously help to handle alcohol discretely. But also in the lounge, they served wine by the glass.
I’m booked on QR SFO-DOH-CPT - departing on Wednesday. I’m very curious as to how my flights (and lounge) experience will look like. I’m booked BA on my return, so will party it up on my way home.
I flew round trip on Royal Jordanian last year from JFK-AMM-JFK during Ramadan and it was business as usual both in the air and on the ground at Queen Alia International Airport.
I am a Muslim observing Ramadan and I just woke up for our morning meal before sunrise (I live on the East Coast of the US). I have a big habbit of reading this blog so I naturally just hopped on and saw this post. I appreciate the timing Ben :)
Ramadan Mubarak
Ramadan Mubarak, JB ☪️
@D3kingg @ PatONealJr
Thank you!
Would be nice if you could also talk about the non-Gulf airlines from Muslim countries. Curious what is common and uncommon.
I flew Egyptair during Ramadan a few years ago and it seemed largely business as usual. But they don't serve alcohol and the majority of passengers did not eat.
Also on Batik Air Malaysia back when it was Malindo Air, they also seemed to be business as usual, but many passengers didn't eat.