On board: Are Muslim meals on flights Halal?

Muslim travellers constitute a significant and growing segment of global airline passengers, driven by factors such as increasing wealth, disposable income, and a burgeoning Gen Z tourist demographic. As a result, airlines are increasingly catering to this market by offering halal meals that comply with religious dietary requirements.

In Muslim-majority countries, travellers typically expect that meals served on flights operated by local airlines adhere to halal standards. However, the assurance of halal certification raises important questions, particularly regarding the sourcing and preparation of these meals.

Emirates, based in Dubai, asserts on its official platform that all meals served are ‘halal-certified’. Similarly, Etihad Airways, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, claims strict adherence to halal regulations for all food served on board. Qatar Airways, the national carrier of Qatar, also affirms that its in-flight meals are halal.

Despite these assertions, concerns arise regarding the sourcing practices, particularly the importation of chicken from Brazil where the slaughtering process does not always align with Islamic dietary laws. The method involves initial machine slaughtering, often resulting in some chickens remaining alive before subsequent electric shock operations to ensure death, which contradicts Islamic guidelines. This raises doubts about whether the chicken served on Emirati airlines meets halal standards as claimed, or if it complies with the alternative methods used in non-Muslim countries.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air also offers assurance on its website, stating that no special request is needed for Muslim meals as all food served on their flights is declared ‘halal’. However, questions arise concerning the adequacy and transparency of the halal certification process. Many certification bodies conduct audits infrequently, potentially allowing lapses in adherence to Islamic dietary laws. Some organizations may grant certification based on annual visits or financial transactions, rather than rigorous oversight of production practices.

Halal certification involves independent entities verifying that products comply with Islamic laws, typically accredited by specialized Islamic certification bodies. However, concerns persist over the reliability and consistency of these certifications across different regions and suppliers.

Outside of the GCC region, Malaysia Airlines ensures all meals served on board are halal-certified and prepared according to stringent halal requirements. Nonetheless, the airline advises Muslim passengers flying with codeshare partners to request specifically for Muslim meals to ensure compliance.

Turkish Airlines asserts that its meals are prepared according to Islamic methods, although not all products are halal-certified. This underscores the complexity and varying standards in halal certification practices globally, where some airlines prioritize adherence to Islamic dietary guidelines without formal certification processes.

The claims made by airlines regarding halal compliance are crucial for Muslim passengers, who rely on these assurances when selecting their travel options. However, the sourcing and certification processes of halal meals remain subjects of scrutiny, necessitating greater transparency and oversight to ensure consistent adherence to Islamic dietary laws.