Travelling During Ramadan: All Your Fasting Questions Answered

Travelling during Ramadan? Harper’s Bazaar Arabia answers all your questions here about what to do when flying or vacationing during the Holy Month

As Ramadan is here, Muslims worldwide are observing a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. However, when taking a flight during this holy period, specific considerations come into play due to time zone variations and changing sunset times.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate Ramadan while catching a plane

Fasting While Flying

While Muslims are not obligated to fast when travelling, particularly for longer flights, many continue to take up the religious observance when flying, especially if they are covering shorter durations.

If fasting is not going to be feasible during your travels, individuals can make up for missed days upon their return or choose a more suitable time in the future.

Timing Your Fast

It’s essential to adhere to the local rules and prayer times of your current location rather than those of the departure country.

Most airlines, including Emirates, utilise tools to accurately calculate Imsak and Iftar timings during the flight based on the aircraft’s position.

In-Flight Meals

Airlines, especially those in the Arabian Gulf or operating routes in Muslim-majority regions, may offer Iftar or Suhoor meals.

Emirates, for example, has said that it is giving out Ramadan boxes packed with water, dates, juice and a banana, at the boarding gate. On board, the dietary meal box contains a sandwich, salad, pastry and sweets with water and laban.

This year’s Ramadan meal boxes also feature intricate geometrical patterns and forms inspired by Sadu, the traditional Bedouin art of weaving.

The airline is serving seasonal dishes, such as lamb ouzi and chicken kabsa, snacks and desserts in their First Class and Business Class lounges in Dubai.

Etihad Airways has also made specific arrangements for the Holy Month. This includes specially curated Iftar meals and dedicated prayer facilities, available in Etihad’s premium lounges and onboard flights.

The Iftar menu features dishes such as lamb bukhari with smoked cardamom yogurt, pulled chicken machbous pinza with chaami cheese and pickled onion, and olive oil and date cake.

Guests in premium cabins as well as Economy class, can enjoy Ramadan delicacies.

For those breaking their fast just before or after landing, Etihad will provide Iftar bags decorated with a traditional Emirati artwork, containing Laban, water, and dates.

Saudia Airlines is also offering special Ramadan boxes on all internal flights and certain international flights, aligned with Iftar and Suhoor times. These packages, available to all passengers in Economy, Business, and First Class, will contain sandwiches, laban, basbousa, mamoul, and specially sourced Ajwa dates.

Those Who’re Not Fasting

Non-Muslims or those opting not to fast can continue with their regular eating and drinking habits during flights. Airlines maintain their standard meal services, including the provision of alcoholic beverages if offered.

Prayer Spaces

Airlines like Emirates and Etihad offer dedicated prayer spaces on planes. Real-time qibla finders integrated into entertainment systems assist Muslims in determining the direction for prayers.

If there’s no allocated space, praying in your seat is also an option.

Entertainment and Resources

Some airlines, such as Emirates and Etihad Airways, enhance the in-flight experience during Ramadan by offering themed TV programs and audio entertainment. Travellers can also download Quran recitation before the flight.

Emirates is currently showing episodes of Rehlet Hayat, Qawafel Al Samaa, Hom Al Omr, Fatawa and Al Ayyam Al Khaliya. They also have Urdu and Hindi options such as, Ramadan Mah-E-Rehmat, Mahe Ramadan, Ramzan Mehfil-E-Zikr and Niyamat E Ramadan.

Lead Image Credit: Photography: Victor Demarchelier. Styling: Julia Golden. Model: Amanda Murphy at IMG Models. Hair: Stefano Greco at Art Department. Make-Up: Hung Vanngo at The Wall Group. Digital Technician: Jon Vachon. Photographer’s Assistant: Robert Massman. Stylist’s Assistant: Yangchen Lama. Hair Stylist’s Assistant: Yukie Nammori. Make-Up Artist’s Assistant: Jayden Pham. Shot at the TWA Hotel in New York

From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s January 2023 issue.