Onam takes flight: Airlines turn skies into a grand celebration

As Kerala lights up in celebration of Onam, two major airlines, Emirates and Air India Express, are transforming their inflight experience into a vibrant cultural tribute, bringing passengers closer to the flavours and warmth of home, even at cruising altitude.

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Onam, one of the most important festivals in Kerala, celebrates prosperity, community, and tradition. Central to this celebration is the Onasadya, a grand feast of vegetarian dishes typically served on banana leaves. Now, travellers heading to or from Kerala can enjoy a taste of this cherished tradition in the sky, an Emirates media report said.

Emirates marks Onam with curated regional cuisine

Known for celebrating regional festivals through thoughtfully crafted menus, Emirates is honouring Onam until September 6, serving authentic Kerala dishes across all cabin classes on flights between Dubai and Kochi as well as Thiruvananthapuram.

To set the festive tone, Emirates begins its Onam dining experience with traditional starters:

• Sharkara Upperi – banana slices caramelised in jaggery
• Kaya Varuthathu – crispy, golden banana chips
• Kondattam Mulaku – sun-dried chillies fried and dipped in yoghurt

Complementing the appetisers are a variety of Kerala-style dips, including:

• Kaalan – made with yam, coconut, and fresh yoghurt
• Cucumber Pachadi – a tangy, creamy salad
• Puli Inji – sweet and spicy ginger chutney

In Business and First Class, passengers are also served Kerala-style pappadam and tangy mango pickle, adding a true homely touch to the meal.

Main course worthy of the occasion

The main courses celebrate the depth and variety of Kerala cuisine. Emirates offers multiple options, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, including:

• Alleppey Kozhi Curry – chicken in a rich coconut-based gravy, paired with avial, cabbage carrot thoran, and chemba rice
• Vegetarian Sadhya – a medley of sambar, kootu, matta rice, and carrot-pea thoran
• Nadan Kozhi Kari – pan-fried chicken with traditional spices, served with steamed rice and vegetable sides
• Padavalanga Thoran – snake gourd stir-fry with erissery, bean thoran, and chemba rice

First Class travellers can also enjoy an exclusive Kerala-style chicken stew, packed with local spices and coconut milk.

To stay true to the tradition, Emirates serves all meals on banana leaf dish liners, replicating the feel of a real Onasadya.

Classic Kerala desserts to end on a sweet note

For dessert, Emirates brings in beloved Onam favourites:

• Palada Pradhaman – a creamy rice pudding with roasted pistachios, raisins, and cashew nuts
• Parippu Payasam – a sweet lentil-based dessert topped with toasted coconut flakes

These finishing touches offer passengers a moment of nostalgia, especially for those missing the comfort of home during the festival.

Desi entertainment at 35,000 feet

Emirates also offers a festive mix of Indian entertainment via its award-winning ICE system, with over 6,500 channels. Travellers can enjoy:

• 15 Malayalam films, including Ponman, Pani, and Anand Sreebala
• 170+ Indian films, ranging from classics like Johny Mera Naam to new-age blockbusters like Stree 2
• Popular Indian TV shows like Koffee with Karan and Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley
• Music albums by top Indian artists like AP Dhillon, Anuv Jain, and Bloodywood

Air India Express offers exclusive Onasadya meals

Joining the celebrations, Air India Express has also launched a limited-edition Onasadya meal under its ‘Gourmair’ brand. Available on select international flights, the festive menu lets passengers enjoy a taste of Onam while travelling to and from Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru.

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Curated to reflect the rich heritage of Kerala cuisine, the meal is available through pre-booking up to 18 hours before departure via airindiaexpress.com. The airline’s initiative underscores its mission to create personalised, culturally rooted travel experiences.

In a world where travel often distances people from their roots, these Onam specials offer more than just good food, they deliver connection, comfort, and cultural pride. Whether flying for work, family reunions, or festive getaways, passengers can now savour the joy of Onam right from their seats.

This year, the skies above Kerala aren’t just routes, they’re part of the celebration.