What Are IATA Special Meal Codes?
Every major airline in the world follows meal codes defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These four-letter codes tell catering teams exactly what to prepare for passengers with specific dietary, religious, or medical requirements. When you request a special meal on any airline, you are selecting one of these standardised codes.
For Indian travellers — especially vegetarians flying internationally for the first time — understanding these codes is the difference between receiving a perfectly spiced paneer dish and ending up with a bland salad meant for a Western vegan. This guide breaks down every code that matters, explains how to request the right meal, and shares practical tips for long-haul flights.
Vegetarian Meal Codes Explained
There are five vegetarian-specific meal codes in the IATA system. Each serves a different dietary philosophy, so choosing the right one is important.
AVML — Asian Vegetarian / Hindu Vegetarian Meal
This is the most popular choice for Indian vegetarian travellers. AVML meals are prepared in a style familiar to South Asian palates — think rice, dal, paneer, sabzi, and Indian bread. These meals may include dairy products like ghee, paneer, and curd, but they are strictly free of meat, fish, and eggs.
Typical AVML tray: Jeera rice, dal makhani or yellow dal, a paneer or mixed vegetable curry, raita, bread roll, and a sweet like gulab jamun or halwa.
Best for: Most Indian vegetarians who eat dairy and want familiar Indian flavours on their flight.
VJML — Jain Vegetarian Meal
VJML follows Jain dietary principles. This means no root vegetables (onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot, ginger), no mushrooms, and no fermented foods. The meal is purely vegetarian with no eggs or dairy products derived from animal rennet.
Typical VJML tray: Steamed rice, a gravy made without onion or garlic (often bottle gourd, ridge gourd, or turai-based), roti, and fruits. Spicing is mild, relying on cumin, coriander, and green chillies.
Best for: Travellers following Jain dietary practices. Also a safe bet for anyone who wants a meal free from onion and garlic.
VGML — Vegetarian Vegan Meal
VGML is a strict vegan meal — no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey. This is prepared in a more Western/international style compared to AVML. Expect grain bowls, steamed vegetables, pasta with tomato sauce, or salads.
Typical VGML tray: Couscous or pasta with vegetable sauce, steamed broccoli, a mixed green salad, bread roll (no butter), and fruit.
Best for: Strict vegans or travellers who want to avoid dairy entirely. Note that the flavour profile is typically Western — if you want Indian-style food, AVML is a better pick unless you are strictly avoiding dairy.
VLML — Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal
VLML allows dairy and eggs but no meat or fish. This is the Western interpretation of vegetarian food. Expect omelettes, cheese-based dishes, pasta with cream sauce, or egg-based preparations.
Typical VLML tray: Vegetable quiche or cheese pasta, garden salad, yoghurt, bread with butter, and a dessert like cheesecake.
Best for: Indian travellers who eat eggs and are comfortable with Western-style cooking. Not recommended if you are strictly lacto-vegetarian (no eggs).
VOML — Vegetarian Oriental Meal
VOML is prepared in a Chinese/East Asian vegetarian style. It is free of meat and fish but the preparation method and flavour profile lean towards East Asian cuisine — soy sauce, tofu, stir-fried vegetables, noodles, or fried rice.
Typical VOML tray: Stir-fried tofu with vegetables, steamed rice or noodles, bok choy, and a soy-based dipping sauce.
Best for: Travellers who enjoy East Asian vegetarian cuisine. Available on most airlines that fly East Asian routes.
Other Special Meal Codes Worth Knowing
Beyond vegetarian options, airlines offer several other special meal codes for medical, religious, or dietary needs. Here are the ones Indian travellers most commonly ask about:
DBML — Diabetic Meal
Low in sugar and refined carbohydrates, high in complex carbs and fibre. Suitable for passengers managing diabetes. Meals avoid added sugar, heavy sauces, and sugary desserts. Can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on the airline’s preparation.
GFML — Gluten-Free Meal
Free from wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Useful for passengers with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity. Expect rice-based dishes, potatoes, and naturally gluten-free grains. Indian travellers with gluten intolerance can request this alongside noting their vegetarian preference in the booking remarks.
KSML — Kosher Meal
Prepared under rabbinical supervision following Jewish dietary laws. These meals come sealed and are heated (not cooked) on board. Useful to know if you are travelling to Israel or with passengers who keep kosher.
MOML — Muslim Meal
Halal-prepared meals that exclude pork, pork-derived products, and alcohol. Not all airlines list this separately — many Gulf and Southeast Asian carriers serve halal food as their standard offering.
BBML — Baby Meal / CHML — Child Meal
BBML is for infants (pureed food, typically bland). CHML is for children aged 2-12 (smaller portions, kid-friendly items like pasta, nuggets, or sandwiches). Worth knowing if you are travelling with young children.
Quick Reference: Meal Code Comparison Table
| Code | Full Name | Dairy | Eggs | Onion/Garlic | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVML | Asian Vegetarian | Yes | No | Yes | Indian |
| VJML | Jain Vegetarian | Yes | No | No | Indian (Jain) |
| VGML | Vegan | No | No | Yes | Western |
| VLML | Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian | Yes | Yes | Yes | Western |
| VOML | Vegetarian Oriental | Varies | No | Yes | East Asian |
| DBML | Diabetic Meal | Varies | Varies | Yes | Low-sugar |
| GFML | Gluten-Free Meal | Varies | Varies | Yes | Gluten-free |
How to Request a Special Meal on Your Flight
There are several ways to ensure your meal preference is recorded. The earlier you do it, the better your chances of getting exactly what you want.
1. At the Time of Booking on HappyFares
The easiest approach is to select your meal preference while booking your flight on happyfares.in. When available, the booking flow shows meal options that you can choose before completing payment. This locks in your request at the earliest possible stage.
2. After Booking — Through HappyFares Support
If you have already booked and forgot to add a meal request, reach out to the HappyFares support team via the help centre. They can add your special meal request to the PNR directly with the airline.
3. Through the Airline’s Manage Booking Portal
Most airlines allow you to add or change your special meal request through their “Manage My Booking” section using your PNR and last name. This is available up to the airline’s meal request deadline.
Deadlines: How Early Should You Request?
This is where many travellers get caught off guard. Special meals are not prepared in bulk — they are made to order based on advance requests. Each airline sets its own cutoff:
- 24 hours before departure — This is the most common deadline for international flights on most full-service carriers.
- 48 hours before departure — Some airlines (especially for VJML/Jain meals or kosher meals) require 48-hour advance notice because sourcing ingredients takes longer.
- 72 hours before departure — A few carriers require up to 72 hours for certain specialised meals like KSML (kosher).
- At booking — The safest option. Requesting your meal at the time of booking on HappyFares ensures your preference is in the system from day one.
Pro tip: Even if you have requested a meal in advance, reconfirm it 48 hours before your flight through the airline’s app or manage booking page. Occasionally, system updates or schedule changes can reset meal requests.
Which Airlines Handle Vegetarian Meals Well?
Indian vegetarian travellers will find that airlines operating to and from India generally take vegetarian meal options seriously, given the large proportion of vegetarian passengers on these routes. Here is what to expect by region:
Airlines Flying India Routes
Carriers operating non-stop flights between India and international destinations typically offer robust AVML and VJML options. Since a significant percentage of their passengers are Indian vegetarians, catering teams at Indian airports prepare high-quality vegetarian meals with proper spicing and variety. On return legs from overseas, the quality may vary depending on the catering kitchen at the origin airport.
Middle Eastern Carriers
Gulf airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have strong AVML offerings on India routes, often sourced from Indian catering kitchens. Their hub airports (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) also maintain good Indian vegetarian catering given the large Indian transit passenger base.
European and North American Carriers
Airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and United generally handle AVML well on India-bound sectors. However, on intra-European or North American domestic legs, special meal availability may be limited or the AVML may be less authentically Indian. Always pre-order and carry backup snacks.
East Asian Carriers
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and ANA are known for taking special meal requests seriously. AVML quality is generally good. On routes without significant Indian passenger traffic, VOML (vegetarian oriental) may be a better option as the kitchen is more familiar with that preparation style.
8 Practical Tips for Indian Vegetarian Travellers on Long-Haul Flights
- Always pre-order AVML or VJML — Never assume the default vegetarian option will suit Indian palates. The standard “vegetarian” choice on Western airlines is usually VLML (lacto-ovo), which may contain eggs.
- Carry your own snacks — Thepla, khakhra, dry chivda, roasted makhana, energy bars, and mixed nuts travel well and do not require refrigeration. On a 12+ hour flight, having your own backup is invaluable.
- Request meals for every sector separately — If your itinerary involves a connection (e.g., Delhi to London to New York), ensure the special meal is requested for each flight segment. A meal request on the Delhi-London leg does not automatically carry over to London-New York.
- Check the airline’s meal gallery — Many airlines publish photos of their special meals on their website. Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Lufthansa all have online meal galleries. This helps set expectations.
- Reconfirm 48 hours before departure — Log into the airline’s manage booking page and verify your meal code is showing correctly. If it is missing, call the airline or contact HappyFares support immediately.
- Speak to the crew at boarding — After settling into your seat, politely let the cabin crew know you have a special meal request. This ensures they do not accidentally serve you the wrong tray.
- Download the HappyFares app — Keep your booking details handy so you can quickly reference your PNR and meal request status at any time.
- Consider airport lounge access for long layovers — Many international airport lounges have vegetarian options including Indian food stations. If you have a long connection, a lounge meal can supplement or replace the airline meal on your next flight.
What If You Forgot to Pre-Order a Special Meal?
It happens. If you are already at the airport and realise you did not request a special meal, here are your options:
- Ask at the check-in counter — Some airlines can add a last-minute special meal request at check-in, but success depends on availability and the catering kitchen’s preparation timeline.
- Inform the cabin crew — On the aircraft, let the crew know your dietary requirement. They may not have a pre-ordered AVML, but they can often assemble a vegetarian option from available ingredients (bread, fruit, salad, cheese).
- Buy vegetarian food at the airport — Most major international airports have vegetarian dining options. Eat before boarding to avoid going hungry if the onboard options are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AVML and VGML?
AVML (Asian Vegetarian Meal) is prepared in an Indian/South Asian style and may include dairy products like paneer, ghee, and curd. VGML (Vegetarian Vegan Meal) is strictly vegan — no dairy, no eggs, no honey — and is typically prepared in a Western style. Most Indian vegetarians prefer AVML for familiar flavours.
Can I get a Jain meal (VJML) on international airlines?
Yes, most major international airlines accept VJML requests, especially on routes to and from India. Airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and British Airways all support VJML. You need to request it at least 24-48 hours in advance. Book through HappyFares and add your meal preference during booking for the best results.
Is there an extra charge for special meals on flights?
On full-service airlines (economy, business, or first class), special meals including AVML, VJML, and VGML are free of charge. You simply need to request them in advance. On low-cost carriers, all meals (including special dietary options) may need to be purchased separately as part of an add-on or meal plan.
How far in advance should I request a special meal?
The safest approach is to request at the time of booking. If that is not possible, most airlines accept special meal requests up to 24 hours before departure. For VJML (Jain) and KSML (kosher), request at least 48 hours ahead. Always reconfirm your meal request 48 hours before the flight.
What if I have multiple dietary requirements — say vegetarian and gluten-free?
Most airline systems allow only one special meal code per passenger per flight. If you need both vegetarian and gluten-free, choose the code that is most critical (e.g., GFML if you have coeliac disease) and add a note in the special requests field mentioning your vegetarian preference. Alternatively, contact HappyFares support to relay both requirements directly to the airline.
Do special meal passengers get served first?
Yes, in most cases. Since special meals are individually labelled with the passenger’s seat number, cabin crew distribute them first before the regular meal service begins. This is actually a small perk — you get to start eating while other passengers are still waiting for the trolley to reach their row.
Book Your Next Flight With the Right Meal on HappyFares
Travelling as a vegetarian on international flights does not have to be stressful. With the right meal code selected at the time of booking, you can look forward to a proper meal at 35,000 feet — whether that is a comforting AVML dal-chawal tray or a VJML preparation that respects Jain dietary principles.
When you book your next flight on happyfares.in, make sure to add your special meal preference during the booking process. And if you have already booked, visit the HappyFares help centre to get your meal request added to your reservation.
Bon appetit — or as we say, khana garam hai, enjoy karo!
