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Is Emirates on Its Way to Earning the First Michelin Star in the Sky?

As global airlines compete fiercely to offer the most refined in-flight experiences, elevating Michelin-level dining to the skies has become an industry hallmark. Many leading carriers have partnered with world-renowned chefs to design exclusive menus for their premium cabins. Air France offers La Première menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, Cathay Pacific collaborates with Hong Kong’s Michelin restaurant Duddell’s, Singapore Airlines works with Denmark’s AOC, and Japan Airlines partners with Ishikawa Kagurazaka and Kohaku from Tokyo. Amid this growing trend, Emirates is taking an ambitious new step by focusing on the art of hospitality itself - investing heavily in world-class service training that could redefine luxury at 40,000 feet.

Elevating Service to a Michelin-Level Experience
Emirates has unveiled an 8 million USD state-of-the-art training facility in Dubai, designed to provide an immersive and luxurious learning environment for nearly 25,000 cabin crew members. The complex features a restaurant and lounge accommodating up to 170 guests, a professional kitchen, and eight training rooms. By the end of the year, more than 10,000 Emirates crew members will complete their training here. The curriculum emphasizes premium service excellence, drawing direct inspiration from Michelin dining standards. Trainees will master fine-dining techniques, refined table service, and personalized guest engagement, all aimed at delivering a seamless, elegant experience for First and Business Class passengers.

Immersive Training Through Fine Dining
To help cabin crew truly understand the essence of gourmet hospitality, Emirates organizes special tasting sessions replicating the exact menus served onboard. These sessions allow crew members to dine as passengers, gaining first-hand appreciation of flavor, presentation, and service nuances. The program also includes hands-on cooking workshops led by Michelin-starred chefs, where trainees learn about balance, color, and composition, essential principles behind the visual artistry and harmony of Michelin cuisine.

Mastering the Art of Service and Wine
The “Michelin Art of Service” module refines every gesture and detail, from handling cutlery with precision to plating with visual harmony. Emirates also places strong emphasis on wine service through its “L’art du vin” series, which includes three specialized courses tailored to different service levels: Introduction, Business Class, and First Class. Guided by expert sommeliers and mixologists, these sessions combine theory, tasting, and etiquette, enabling cabin crew to deliver wine experiences worthy of fine-dining establishments.

Aiming for the Sky’s First Michelin Recognition
With its deep investment in hospitality training and Michelin-level culinary collaboration, Emirates may be paving the way toward something unprecedented - a Michelin distinction in the air. While the Michelin Guide does not currently rate in-flight dining, this initiative signals a bold move by Emirates to set a new global benchmark for airborne luxury. Whether or not a Michelin star ever graces the skies, Emirates is already redefining what it means to dine, serve, and experience excellence above the clouds.