Addis Ababa, September 18, 2025 (FKC) – Ethiopian Airlines has unveiled its redesigned 2026 in-flight menu at an exclusive tasting event held today at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, bringing together senior executives, premium passengers, and stakeholders to sample the airline’s latest culinary offerings.
The presentation featured both business and economy class menus for the upcoming year, crafted to meet the expectations of a diverse global customer base. The initiative forms part of Ethiopian’s broader strategy to continuously refine its services and elevate the travel experience across Africa’s largest airline network.
Ethiopian In-Flight Catering, a certified unit under Ethiopian Airlines Group, showcased a wide variety of dishes reflecting international and Ethiopian cuisines, tailored to passengers’ dietary needs and preferences. Equipped with state-of-the-art kitchens—including dedicated halal and kosher facilities—the catering division also manages duty-free services and supports scheduled, non-scheduled, VVIP, and charter flights.
Speaking at the event, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tassew reaffirmed the carrier’s focus on customer-driven innovation.
“As a customer-focused airline, we continuously strive to shape our services around the needs of our passengers,” Mesfin said. “The in-flight dining experience is central to our customers’ journey, and today’s engagement allows us to hear directly from them.”
Highlighting the airline’s global reach, he noted:
“Operating across five continents, we serve travelers from a wide range of cultural and dietary backgrounds. Our recognition this year as Africa’s Best Business Class On-Board Catering at the Skytrax Awards reflects the appreciation of our passengers for the quality and effort invested in our services.”
Ethiopian’s Customer Experience Vice President, Samson Arega, expanded on the philosophy guiding the new menu.
“At Ethiopian Airlines, food is more than nourishment—it is culture, hospitality, and experience,” Samson explained. “Our 2026 menu blends Ethiopia’s rich culinary heritage with international inspirations, carefully crafted to meet world-class standards.”
He emphasized that while business class passengers will enjoy refined selections of starters, hot and cold dishes, pastries, and desserts designed to replicate fine dining in the sky, equal care has been taken to enhance the warmth, authenticity, and comfort of the economy class experience.
“This menu is not just about meals,” Samson added. “It is our way of saying welcome on board, a celebration of culture, innovation, and excellence.”
Ethiopian Airlines’ catering facility in Addis Ababa, among the largest in Africa, can produce up to 100,000 meals daily. Staffed by international chefs and certified under global food safety and environmental management standards, it remains a cornerstone of the airline’s acclaimed passenger experience.
With multiple Skytrax awards for catering excellence, the airline sees the new 2026 menu as both an innovation and a reaffirmation of its role as Africa’s leading carrier—placing passenger engagement and satisfaction at the heart of its growth strategy.