How to Request a Special Meal on a Flight
Quick answer
Request a special meal through "Manage My Booking" on the airline's website, by phone, or through your travel agent, ideally at least 24–48 hours before departure (72 hours for kosher or other caterer-prepared meals). Standard categories like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, diabetic, and child meals are usually free on full-service airlines. Always carry a backup snack in case the meal isn't loaded.
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How to actually request a special meal
Once your ticket is booked, log into the airline's "Manage My Booking" or "My Trips" section, find the meal or preferences option, and select your category from the dropdown. If the option isn't available online, call the airline directly or ask your travel agent to add it — this is common with codeshare flights booked on a partner airline's system.
Timing that actually works
| Meal type | Recommended lead time |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, diabetic | At least 24 hours |
| Gluten-free, low-lactose, low-sodium | 24–48 hours |
| Kosher, halal, other religious meals | 48–72 hours (often outside caterers) |
| Child or infant meals | 24 hours, confirm age category matches |
Common special meal codes
- VGML — vegetarian (often lacto-ovo, check details)
- VLML or VGVL — vegan / vegetarian vegan
- GFML — gluten-free
- KSML — kosher
- MOML — halal (Muslim meal)
- DBML — diabetic
- CHML / BBML — child / infant meal
Codes vary slightly by airline, so use the dropdown menu in your booking rather than memorizing letters — it will show exactly what's on offer for your route.
Tips for a smoother experience
Book directly with the operating airline when possible
Special meals on codeshare or interline itineraries are more likely to fall through the cracks. If you booked through an online travel agency, it's worth calling the operating airline to confirm the request made it into their system.
Reconfirm 24–48 hours before departure
Catering lists are usually finalized a day or so before the flight. A quick check of your booking (or a call) close to departure catches the rare case where a schedule change dropped your request.
Carry a backup
Special meals occasionally don't board the aircraft, especially after a last-minute aircraft swap. A sealed snack that fits your dietary needs is cheap insurance, particularly on long-haul flights.
Know that budget airlines differ
Many low-cost carriers don't offer special meal categories at all, or sell a limited buy-on-board selection. If dietary needs are non-negotiable, check the airline's own site before booking rather than assuming a special meal will be available.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I request a special meal?
At least 24 hours before departure on most airlines; 48–72 hours is safer, especially for kosher or other caterer-prepared meals.
Are special meals free?
Standard categories are usually included at no extra charge in economy and above on full-service airlines. Budget carriers may charge or not offer them.
What happens if my special meal isn't loaded?
It happens occasionally, especially after a schedule or aircraft change. Crew will try to help, but carrying a backup snack is wise.
Do I need to reconfirm my meal request?
Yes — check your booking a day or two before departure, especially after any flight change, to confirm the request is still attached.
The bottom line
Special meals are easy to arrange if you book them early, use the right lead time for the meal type, and double-check closer to departure. When you're comparing flights, look at popular routes to see which airlines operate your trip, and once you're booked, keep an eye on your flight with our flight tracker in case a schedule change affects your catering request.
Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Meal availability and codes vary by airline and route; always confirm directly with the carrier.