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Airline meals

Find the special meal code that matches how you eat, how to order it in your booking, and how early airlines need the request.

Implementation and names vary by airline and catering kitchen. Always confirm on the operating carrier page. QSAI Special Meal Codes, Definitions & Interpretation Guidelines V2.0, as of November 15, 2023

Example

Vegan, taste first, flights toward India

Fixed example for search engines. Use the finder below for your answers.

VJML

Vegetarian Jain meal

On India-oriented routes, VJML often brings more spice while staying free of dairy and eggs. AVML can taste great but may include dairy, so it is only an alternative if you accept that. VGML is the safer Western vegan default.

  1. How you eat
  2. What matters
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How do you eat?

General rules

  • Order early

    Most carriers want the special meal in the booking at least 24 hours before departure. Some need 48 or 56 hours on selected routes or for kosher meals. Always check the operating airline page for your flight.

    Singapore Airlines, Delta, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa (official pages), as of September 22, 2026

  • Use the booking record

    Airlines ask you to add the meal in Manage Booking, My Trips, or through the travel agent who holds the ticket. Gate staff usually cannot create a special meal on the day.

    Emirates, Delta, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa (official pages), as of September 22, 2026

  • Rebooking resets the meal

    A change of flight often drops the special meal. Delta documents that voluntary changes need a new request, and irregular operations under 24 hours are not guaranteed. After any reissue, open Manage Booking again and confirm the code is still on every segment.

    Delta Special Meal Requests (agency), as of September 22, 2026

  • Codes shared, recipes not

    Four-letter codes are industry conventions (QSAI guidelines after IATA stopped maintaining them in 2015). Names, spice level, and dairy rules still differ by airline and catering kitchen. Always read the operating carrier’s own list.

    QSAI Special Meal Codes, Definitions & Interpretation Guidelines V2.0, as of November 15, 2023

Airlines with official sources

Only carriers with an official page behind every claim. No unsourced airline rows.

  • Singapore Airlines

    Lead time: Usually at least 24 hours. Some cities need 32 hours; Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi need 56 hours. Kosher needs 56 hours.

    How to order: Request via Manage Booking on the Singapore Airlines website.

    Codes listed: AVML, VJML, VOML, VGML, VLML, FPML, HNML · more codes on the airline page

    Lists VGML as typically Western style without meat, seafood, egg, or dairy; AVML as Indian style, possibly with dairy; VOML without egg or dairy; VJML without roots and animal products.

    Singapore Airlines Special Meals, as of September 22, 2026

  • Delta Air Lines

    Lead time: Enter the request at least 24 hours before scheduled departure.

    How to order: My Trips special service request, Delta Reservations, or a travel agent / GDS entry.

    After a change: Delta states the special meal must be re-requested after any voluntary change. Schedule changes and irregular operations also need a fresh request when the new flight is more than 24 hours out; under 24 hours, delivery is not guaranteed.

    Codes listed: AVML, VGML, VLML, HNML · more codes on the airline page

    Passenger page: https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/food-and-beverage/special-meals . Consumer copy for Hindu meals has varied; the agency list treats HNML as possibly containing seafood, chicken, eggs, or dairy.

    Delta Special Meal Requests (agency), as of September 22, 2026

  • Qatar Airways

    Lead time: At least 24 hours before departure via booking or Manage Booking.

    How to order: During booking or add later in Manage Booking.

    Codes listed: VGML, VLML, AVML, VOML, RVML, VJML, HNML · more codes on the airline page

    Publishes VGML as free of animal products including honey, eggs, and dairy; AVML as Indian-style possibly with dairy; VOML without eggs or dairy; VJML without roots and dairy. Short Gulf flights may limit options.

    Qatar Airways Special Meals, as of September 22, 2026

  • Emirates

    Lead time: Book a dietary meal up to 24 hours ahead through Manage Your Booking. Some dietary meals are unavailable in Economy on flights under two hours. An Emirates FAQ also mentions ordering up to 48 hours before on some paths; check Manage Your Booking for your flight.

    How to order: Manage Your Booking on emirates.com.

    Codes listed: AVML, VJML, VGML, VLML

    Describes AVML as Indian-style vegetarian that may include dairy but not eggs or meat; VGML as Western-style vegan without animal products including honey; all onboard meals stated as halal certified.

    Emirates Dietary Requirements, as of September 22, 2026

  • British Airways

    Lead time: Most dietary meals: at least 24 hours before departure. Kosher from some airports outside London Heathrow and Gatwick: at least 48 hours.

    How to order: Manage My Booking once the booking is confirmed.

    This passenger page names meals without publishing four-letter codes in the text we cite.

    Publishes named Vegetarian (may contain eggs and dairy) and Vegan (no animal products including honey, eggs, dairy, gelatin) meals. Four-letter codes are not listed on this passenger page. Not available in Euro Traveller short-haul where there is no complimentary meal.

    British Airways Dietary Requirements, as of September 22, 2026

  • Lufthansa

    Lead time: Order up to 24 hours before departure with a confirmed booking in the required class.

    How to order: Through your travel agency or online via My Bookings. No extra charge stated.

    This passenger page names meals without publishing four-letter codes in the text we cite.

    States about 11 special meal options on Lufthansa-operated flights. Economy usually on flights over 185 minutes; Business over 60 minutes. This passenger page does not publish the four-letter code list in the text we cite, so codes are not listed here.

    Lufthansa Special Meals, as of September 22, 2026

FAQ

What do VGML, VLML, and AVML mean?
VGML is vegan. VLML is lacto-ovo vegetarian. AVML is South Asian style lacto-vegetarian and may include dairy. Definitions here follow the QSAI Special Meal Codes guidelines.
Is HNML vegetarian?
No. In the QSAI definition HNML is a Hindu non-vegetarian meal and may include lamb, poultry, fish, or eggs. For Indian-style vegetarian food, request AVML.
How early must I order?
Many airlines need at least 24 hours. Some cities or kosher meals need 48 or 56 hours. Check the operating carrier page for your flight.
What happens if I rebook?
The special meal often disappears. Delta documents that voluntary changes need a new request. After any change, open Manage Booking and confirm the code on every segment.
Why might AVML still contain dairy if I eat vegan?
QSAI defines AVML as lacto-vegetarian. For vegan criteria with South Asian flavour, VJML or VGML is usually safer. Always read your airline’s wording.