A little over a year ago, we saw Qatar Airways introduce caviar in business class on select routes. Following that, Thai Airways also introduced caviar in business class on flights to Europe.
Well, we can now add a third airline to the list, and it’s not the carrier you’d probably expect. Let me start with a bit of background, and then we’ll talk about the (surprisingly) amazing soft product… or so it’s claimed.
Luxair’s intriguing Luxembourg to Dubai flight
Luxair is the flag carrier of Luxembourg, with a fleet of roughly 20 aircraft. While the airline primarily operates flights within Europe, the airline does operate one winter seasonal long haul(ish) route, between Luxembourg (LUX) and Dubai World Central (DWC).
The service operates twice weekly, with the following schedule:
LG9009 Luxembourg to Dubai departing 7:25AM arriving 5:45PM
LG9010 Dubai to Luxembourg departing 9:15AM arriving 2:15PM
The 3,117-mile route is blocked at 7hr20min eastbound and 8hr westbound.
While Luxair has the typical intra-Europe business class product on most of its aircraft, the airline has a single Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration code LX-LBL) that has 168 seats, including 12 business class seats and 156 economy class seats. So the airline has proper recliners in business class on this flight (a little better than domestic first class in the United States), which you’d hope, given the length of this flight.
Luxair’s shocking business class soft product
My assumption was that Luxair’s soft product on the Luxembourg to Dubai route is nothing special. However, apparently that’s not the case? Luxair highlights how it has an exclusive menu “crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Benoît Potdevin” (I put that in quotes because there are no Michelin-starred chefs, just Michelin-starred restaurants, but that doesn’t stop people from making that claim *gets off soapbox*).
Here’s how the airline describes the catering on this flight:
Every journey deserves to be memorable, including the moments spent on board. For Luxair’s Dubai route this winter, Michelin-starred Chef Benoît Potdevin of Le K at Domaine de la Klauss in Montenach (Lorraine) has created an exclusive Business Class menu that takes in-flight dining to new heights.
Each ingredient lies at the heart of his creations, enhanced by subtle spices, refined sauces, and delicate jus that unite every dish in a surprising and elegant way. To complement the experience, every course is paired with premium wines carefully selected to elevate the flavours — from a floral and elegant Luxembourgish Auxerrois and a mineral Chablis Premier Cru to the silky depth of a Gevrey-Chambertin or the rich intensity of a Brunello di Montalcino.
This unique collaboration allows passengers to indulge in cuisine crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, accompanied by exquisite wine pairings, turning every flight to Dubai into a culinary journey to remember
For example, the starter on this flight reportedly consists of fresh crab claws and legs marinated with kalamansi vinegar, paired with fennel cream and Kristal caviar from Kaviari.
Meanwhile there are a couple of main course options. This includes a slow-cooked veal tenderloin with fresh truffle, served with truffle-scented potato terrine and veal jus. As a vegetarian alternative, there’s creamy “célerisotto” with young spinach shoots, crisp vegetables, fresh truffle shavings, and spinach oil.
Luxair even uploaded the following content to Instagram, showing the inaugural flight of the season, which the chef personally took, to serve customers.
I’m curious, given the early morning departure from Luxembourg, do we assume the airline serves a light breakfast after takeoff and then the main meal before landing? I can’t imagine they’re serving caviar and veal at 8AM, right?
I’ve gotta say, I’m mighty intrigued by this. I’ve been wanting to visit Luxembourg, and this flight is definitely on my radar, as this seems like a unique service. I’d also be curious what the arrivals experience is like at Dubai World Central (I’ve only traveled through there on Beond Airlines, but that was just a refueling stop).
Bottom line
Luxair operates an interesting seasonal flight between Luxembourg and Dubai. The flight is operated by a Boeing 737 MAX with a special configuration, intended to reflect that this isn’t just a short intra-Europe journey.
What’s most interesting — and what I wasn’t aware of — is that the airline seems to put a lot of effort into the business class soft product, partnering with a well respected chef, and even having a caviar course. This is a product I’ve gotta try!
Anyone else intrigued by Luxair’s business class service on the Dubai flight?