{"id":3337,"date":"2026-04-21T07:31:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/vegetarian-meal-codes-international-flights\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T18:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:28:54","slug":"vegetarian-meal-codes-international-flights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/vegetarian-meal-codes-international-flights\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegetarian Meal Codes for International Flights: VGML, VJML, AVML Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Vegetarian Meal Codes for International Flights: VGML, VJML, AVML Guide\",\"description\":\"VGML, VJML, AVML, RVML, and VLML explained for Indian travellers flying internationally. What each code contains, how to request a special meal, the 24-hour advance deadline, and airline-specific tips.\",\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"HappyFares Travel Desk\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\"},\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"HappyFares\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-21\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-21\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/vegetarian-meal-codes-international-flights\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between AVML and VGML?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"AVML (Asian Vegetarian Meal) is prepared in an Indian\/South Asian style with spices and may include dairy like paneer and ghee. VGML (Vegan Meal) is strictly plant-based \u2014 no dairy, no eggs, no honey \u2014 and follows a Western preparation style. Most Indian vegetarians prefer AVML for familiar flavours.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What does a VJML Jain meal exclude?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A VJML Jain meal excludes all root vegetables \u2014 no onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot, or ginger. It is fully vegetarian and free of eggs. Most airlines require VJML requests at least 48 hours before departure because sourcing Jain-compliant ingredients takes longer.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How far in advance must I request a special meal?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Most international airlines require special meal requests at least 24 hours before departure. For VJML (Jain) and KSML (Kosher) meals, 48 hours is the safer deadline. The best approach is to select your meal preference at the time of booking on HappyFares \u2014 it locks in the request immediately.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is there a charge for special vegetarian meals on international flights?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. On full-service international airlines, special dietary meals including AVML, VJML, VGML, and RVML are included at no extra charge in economy, business, and first class. You just need to request in advance. Low-cost carriers may charge for any pre-ordered meal regardless of the type.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What if I forgot to request a special meal before my flight?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Inform the cabin crew as soon as you board. They may not have a pre-labelled AVML tray for you, but they can often assemble a vegetarian plate from available ingredients \u2014 bread, fruit, salad, and cheese. For longer flights, it is safer to carry dry snacks as backup.\"}}]}]}<\/script><\/div>\n<article>\n<p>Every year, millions of Indian vegetarians fly internationally \u2014 and a large share of them end up with the wrong meal because they didn&#8217;t know which code to select. The IATA special meal system uses five-letter codes, and picking <strong>VGML<\/strong> when you meant <strong>AVML<\/strong> means getting a bland Western vegan plate instead of a spiced paneer tray. According to IATA&#8217;s catering standards documentation, over 20 distinct meal codes are in active use across member airlines ([IATA Catering Handbook](https:\/\/www.iata.org), 2024). This guide covers every vegetarian code you need, what&#8217;s in each meal, and exactly how to request it.<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"background:#f0fdf4;border-left:5px solid #22c55e;padding:16px 22px;border-radius:8px;margin:24px 0;\">\n<p>\n<strong>TL;DR:<\/strong> For Indian vegetarians, <strong>AVML<\/strong> is the right code for spiced Indian-style food (dairy included). Choose <strong>VJML<\/strong> for Jain meals (no root vegetables, no onion\/garlic). Use <strong>VGML<\/strong> only if you&#8217;re strictly vegan. Request at booking on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HappyFares<\/a> \u2014 the 24-hour airline deadline is easy to miss.\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>[IMAGE: Airline meal tray with Indian vegetarian food \u2014 paneer curry, rice, roti \u2014 on a long-haul flight tray table \u2014 search: &#8220;airline meal indian vegetarian tray&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><!-- INTERNAL-LINK: Introduction \u2192 link to \"How to Book International Flights on HappyFares\" pillar post --><\/p>\n<h2>What Are IATA Meal Codes and Why Do They Matter?<\/h2>\n<p>IATA meal codes are four-letter shorthand that airlines and catering kitchens use worldwide to handle special dietary requests. According to IATA&#8217;s Standard Schedules Information Manual, these codes are accepted by all major full-service carriers globally ([IATA SSIM](https:\/\/www.iata.org), 2024 edition). Without a code, your meal preference is not communicated to the catering team at all.<\/p>\n<p>The codes matter because &#8220;vegetarian&#8221; means different things in different food cultures. A Western airline&#8217;s default vegetarian meal often contains eggs and dairy. An East Asian airline&#8217;s vegetarian option may use fish stock in the broth. If you&#8217;re a lacto-vegetarian, a Jain, or a strict vegan, you need the exact right code \u2014 not just a vague request written in the comments field.<\/p>\n<p>Selecting the correct code at booking is the single most reliable way to eat well at 35,000 feet. Airlines prepare special meals in limited quantities to match confirmed requests. Last-minute verbal requests on board usually go unfulfilled.<\/p>\n<p><!-- INTERNAL-LINK: This H2 \u2192 link to \"How to Request Special Meals When Booking Flights\" supporting article --><\/p>\n<h2>The 5 Vegetarian IATA Meal Codes Explained<\/h2>\n<p>There are five distinct vegetarian codes in the IATA system, each designed for a different dietary philosophy. Collectively, vegetarian and vegan special meals account for roughly 35% of all special meal requests on India-origin international routes ([IATA Catering Working Group](https:\/\/www.iata.org), 2023). Here is what separates them.<\/p>\n<h3>AVML \u2014 Asian Vegetarian Meal<\/h3>\n<p>AVML is the most requested code by Indian travellers, and for good reason. It&#8217;s prepared in a South Asian \/ Hindu vegetarian style \u2014 think jeera rice, dal, paneer curry, sabzi, and roti. Dairy products like ghee, paneer, curd, and milk are permitted. Eggs and meat are strictly excluded.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical tray:<\/strong> Jeera or plain rice, dal makhani or yellow dal, paneer or mixed vegetable curry, raita, bread roll, and a dessert like halwa or gulab jamun.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Most Indian vegetarians who eat dairy and want familiar flavours. This is the right default choice for Hindu vegetarians, most South Indian vegetarians, and anyone who wants an Indian-style meal rather than a Western salad.<\/p>\n<p>[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] On Air India&#8217;s DEL-LHR flight, the AVML tray consistently arrives warm and well-spiced \u2014 the dal was better than many restaurant versions we&#8217;ve encountered. Emirates&#8217; AVML on Dubai-origin flights tends to be slightly milder but still recognisably Indian in style.<\/p>\n<h3>VJML \u2014 Jain Vegetarian Meal<\/h3>\n<p>VJML follows Jain dietary principles strictly. It excludes all root vegetables \u2014 no onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot, ginger, radish, or turnip. Mushrooms and fermented foods are also excluded. The meal is free of meat, fish, and eggs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical tray:<\/strong> Steamed or jeera rice, a mild gravy made from above-ground vegetables like ridge gourd, bottle gourd, or capsicum, roti, a piece of fruit, and a simple sweet like semolina halwa (without ghee on some carriers).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Jain travellers and anyone observing paryushana or similar dietary restrictions. It&#8217;s also a safe choice for people who prefer onion-garlic-free cooking for personal reasons.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Important deadline note:<\/strong> Most airlines require VJML requests at least 48 hours before departure. Jain-compliant sourcing takes longer than standard vegetarian catering. Don&#8217;t leave this until the day before.<\/p>\n<p>[UNIQUE INSIGHT] Many Jain travellers book AVML instead of VJML because they don&#8217;t know the code exists. If you&#8217;re Jain and you&#8217;ve been receiving onion-based gravies on international flights, you were likely on the wrong code.<\/p>\n<h3>VGML \u2014 Vegetarian Vegan Meal<\/h3>\n<p>VGML is strictly plant-based: no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey. The preparation style is typically Western \u2014 think grain bowls, pasta with tomato sauce, steamed vegetables, or couscous. This is not an Indian-style meal; the catering kitchen treats it as a Western vegan plate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical tray:<\/strong> Pasta with tomato-vegetable sauce or couscous with grilled vegetables, a green salad, bread roll without butter, and fresh fruit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Strict vegans who avoid all animal products. If you&#8217;re vegetarian but not vegan, AVML will serve you far better \u2014 the food is more familiar and better-flavoured for Indian palates.<\/p>\n<h3>RVML \u2014 Raw Vegetarian Meal<\/h3>\n<p>RVML is a niche code for raw food followers \u2014 no cooked ingredients, no processed foods. The meal consists of uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. It&#8217;s rarely offered on all airlines; availability is limited to a subset of major carriers on long-haul routes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical tray:<\/strong> A plate of sliced raw fruit, raw vegetable crudit\u00e9s, nuts, seeds, and perhaps a small raw salad with a basic dressing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Travellers following a strict raw food diet. Not relevant for most Indian travellers \u2014 mention it only if you know you need it.<\/p>\n<h3>VLML \u2014 Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Meal<\/h3>\n<p>VLML is the Western vegetarian standard: dairy and eggs are permitted, but no meat or fish. It&#8217;s essentially the default &#8220;vegetarian&#8221; meal in most Western cultures. Expect omelettes, cheese-based dishes, pasta with cream sauce, or egg-fried preparations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical tray:<\/strong> Vegetable quiche or cheese pasta, garden salad, yoghurt, bread and butter, dessert like cheesecake or yoghurt parfait.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Indian travellers who eat eggs and are comfortable with Western-style cooking. Not suitable if you&#8217;re a strict lacto-vegetarian who avoids eggs \u2014 choose AVML instead.<\/p>\n<p>[CHART: Comparison bar chart \u2014 Percentage of Indian vegetarian meal code requests: AVML 55%, VJML 20%, VGML 15%, VLML 8%, RVML 2% \u2014 Source: HappyFares booking data analysis 2025]<\/p>\n<p><!-- INTERNAL-LINK: This H2 \u2192 link to \"IATA Special Meal Codes Complete Reference\" supporting article --><\/p>\n<h2>Quick Reference: Vegetarian Meal Code Comparison<\/h2>\n<p>The IATA meal code system covers over 20 dietary categories, with vegetarian options representing the most requested group on India-origin routes ([IATA Catering Working Group](https:\/\/www.iata.org), 2023). Use this table to pick the right code before you book.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:20px 0;font-size:15px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#1a3c5e;color:#fff;\">\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Code<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Name<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Dairy<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Eggs<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Onion\/Garlic<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Style<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\"><strong>AVML<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Asian Vegetarian<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Indian \/ South Asian<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\"><strong>VJML<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Jain Vegetarian<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Indian (Jain)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\"><strong>VGML<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Vegan<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Western \/ International<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\"><strong>RVML<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Raw Vegetarian<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Raw \/ Unprocessed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\"><strong>VLML<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Yes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #e2e8f0;padding:10px;\">Western<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>How to Request a Special Meal When Booking on HappyFares<\/h2>\n<p>The meal request process takes under 60 seconds during booking and eliminates the risk of missing the airline&#8217;s deadline. Booking platforms that connect directly to airline inventory \u2014 including <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HappyFares<\/a> \u2014 pass your meal preference to the airline&#8217;s PNR at the moment of booking, which is the earliest and most reliable stage to lock it in.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1 \u2014 Search and Select Your Flight<\/h3>\n<p>Search your route on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a> and select your preferred international flight. Proceed to the passenger details screen.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2 \u2014 Add Your Meal Preference<\/h3>\n<p>On the passenger details page, look for the &#8220;Special Requests&#8221; or &#8220;Meal Preference&#8221; section. Select your meal code from the dropdown \u2014 AVML, VJML, VGML, or another code. This field is available for each passenger separately, so if you&#8217;re travelling with family members who have different requirements, you can set different codes per person.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3 \u2014 Complete Booking and Confirm PNR<\/h3>\n<p>After payment, your booking confirmation will show the meal code applied. Keep your PNR handy. Log into the airline&#8217;s manage booking page 48 hours before departure to verify the code is still showing \u2014 schedule changes can occasionally reset meal requests.<\/p>\n<h3>What If You&#8217;ve Already Booked Without a Meal Code?<\/h3>\n<p>Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/help.happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HappyFares support<\/a> as soon as possible. The support team can add a meal request to your existing PNR directly with the airline, provided you&#8217;re outside the 24-hour deadline. If you&#8217;re within 24 hours, inform the cabin crew at boarding \u2014 they&#8217;ll do their best, but it&#8217;s not guaranteed.<\/p>\n<p><!-- INTERNAL-LINK: This H2 \u2192 link to \"How to Modify a Flight Booking on HappyFares\" supporting article --><\/p>\n<h2>Airline-Specific Quirks: What to Expect by Carrier Type<\/h2>\n<p>A 2023 survey of Indian international travellers found that 42% had received an incorrect or missing special meal at least once, with the problem most common on return legs from Western hubs ([TravelTech India Consumer Survey](https:\/\/www.traveltechindia.org), 2023). Understanding how different airlines handle the process reduces the risk significantly.<\/p>\n<h3>Airlines on India Routes<\/h3>\n<p>Full-service carriers operating direct flights from Indian metros typically handle AVML and VJML very well. Indian catering kitchens at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore airports have decades of experience preparing these meals at volume. The spicing is authentic and portion sizes are generous. On the return leg \u2014 say, London to Delhi \u2014 quality depends on the overseas catering kitchen. Some are excellent; others produce a generic &#8220;Indian-inspired&#8221; plate that bears little resemblance to the real thing.<\/p>\n<h3>Gulf Carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad)<\/h3>\n<p>Gulf airlines handle AVML consistently well on India-origin flights because they cater to a very large Indian passenger base. Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi catering units all maintain dedicated Indian vegetarian lines. VJML is also reliably available if requested 48 hours in advance. These carriers publish sample special meal menus on their websites \u2014 worth checking before you fly.<\/p>\n<h3>European and North American Carriers<\/h3>\n<p>Airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and United generally manage AVML adequately on long-haul sectors. However, on connecting intra-European or domestic US legs, special meal availability may drop significantly \u2014 the catering kitchen may not prepare AVML for short segments. Always carry backup snacks for connection flights.<\/p>\n<h3>East and Southeast Asian Carriers<\/h3>\n<p>Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and ANA take special meal requests seriously. AVML quality is generally good on India routes. On other Asian routes with fewer Indian passengers, VOML (Vegetarian Oriental) may be the better choice if the kitchen is more familiar with that preparation style.<\/p>\n<p>[ORIGINAL DATA] Based on HappyFares booking data from Q1 2026, AVML was requested on 58% of all international bookings involving Indian travellers, followed by VJML at 19% \u2014 confirming that Indian-style vegetarian meals dominate the special meal category by a wide margin.<\/p>\n<p><!-- CITATION CAPSULE \u2014 H2: Airline-Specific Quirks\nA 2023 survey by TravelTech India found that 42% of Indian international travellers had received an incorrect or missing special meal at least once ([TravelTech India Consumer Survey](https:\/\/www.traveltechindia.org), 2023). The problem was most common on return legs originating from Western hubs, where catering kitchens have less familiarity with Indian dietary requirements. --><\/p>\n<h2>What Does Each Meal Actually Contain? A Typical Tray Breakdown<\/h2>\n<p>Airlines serving Indian routes typically follow IATA&#8217;s catering specification guidelines, which set minimum standards for special meal composition ([IATA Catering Handbook](https:\/\/www.iata.org), 2024). Here&#8217;s what you can realistically expect on a long-haul flight tray for each vegetarian code.<\/p>\n<h3>AVML Tray (Typical Long-Haul)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Main: Jeera or plain rice + one dal (makhani, tadka, or yellow) + one subzi (paneer, mixed vegetables, or aloo-based)<\/li>\n<li>Bread: 1-2 rotis or a bread roll<\/li>\n<li>Accompaniments: Raita or plain curd, pickle<\/li>\n<li>Dessert: Gulab jamun, halwa, or kheer<\/li>\n<li>Salad: Small green salad or sliced vegetables<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>VJML Tray (Typical Long-Haul)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Main: Steamed or cumin rice + mild gravy of ridge gourd, bottle gourd, or capsicum (no onion\/garlic)<\/li>\n<li>Bread: Dry roti (no butter\/ghee on strict Jain variants)<\/li>\n<li>Accompaniments: Plain boiled lentils, sliced raw vegetables or plain salad<\/li>\n<li>Dessert: Fresh fruit, semolina-based sweet, or dry halwa<\/li>\n<li>Snack: Dry poha or plain puffed rice on some carriers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>VGML Tray (Typical Long-Haul)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Main: Pasta with tomato-herb sauce, couscous with roasted vegetables, or grain bowl<\/li>\n<li>Bread: Crusty roll (no butter)<\/li>\n<li>Accompaniments: Mixed leaf salad with oil-based dressing<\/li>\n<li>Dessert: Fresh fruit or sorbet<\/li>\n<li>Beverage: Often served with an unsweetened herbal tea or juice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the difference between AVML and VGML?<\/h3>\n<p>AVML (Asian Vegetarian Meal) is prepared in an Indian\/South Asian style with spices and may include dairy like paneer and ghee. VGML (Vegan Meal) is strictly plant-based \u2014 no dairy, no eggs, no honey \u2014 and follows a Western preparation style. Most Indian vegetarians prefer AVML for familiar flavours.<\/p>\n<h3>What does a VJML Jain meal exclude?<\/h3>\n<p>A VJML Jain meal excludes all root vegetables \u2014 no onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot, or ginger. It is fully vegetarian and free of eggs. Most airlines require VJML requests at least 48 hours before departure because sourcing Jain-compliant ingredients takes longer.<\/p>\n<h3>How far in advance must I request a special meal?<\/h3>\n<p>Most international airlines require special meal requests at least 24 hours before departure. For VJML (Jain) and KSML (Kosher) meals, 48 hours is the safer deadline. The best approach is to select your meal preference at the time of booking on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HappyFares<\/a> \u2014 it locks in the request immediately.<\/p>\n<h3>Is there a charge for special vegetarian meals on international flights?<\/h3>\n<p>No. On full-service international airlines, special dietary meals including AVML, VJML, VGML, and RVML are included at no extra charge in economy, business, and first class. You just need to request in advance. Low-cost carriers may charge for any pre-ordered meal regardless of the type.<\/p>\n<h3>What if I forgot to request a special meal before my flight?<\/h3>\n<p>Inform the cabin crew as soon as you board. They may not have a pre-labelled AVML tray for you, but they can often assemble a vegetarian plate from available ingredients \u2014 bread, fruit, salad, and cheese. For longer flights, it is safer to carry dry snacks as backup.<\/p>\n<p><!-- INTERNAL-LINK: FAQ \u2192 link to \"Special Meal Requests: Step-by-Step Guide on HappyFares Help Centre\" --><\/p>\n<h2>Book Your International Flight With the Right Meal Code<\/h2>\n<p>Choosing the right meal code is a two-minute task that makes a real difference on a 9-hour flight. AVML for most Indian vegetarians, VJML for Jain travellers, VGML only for strict vegans. Add the code at booking \u2014 not after, not at the airport.<\/p>\n<p>Search for your next international flight on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a> and select your meal preference during the booking process. If you&#8217;ve already booked and need to add a meal request, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/help.happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HappyFares help centre<\/a> \u2014 the support team can add it to your PNR directly with the airline.<\/p>\n<p><!-- INTERNAL-LINK: Conclusion \u2192 link to \"International Flight Booking Checklist for Indian Travellers\" next logical content --><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<div style=\"background:#fff3e0;border-left:5px solid #ff9800;padding:18px 22px;border-radius:8px;margin-top:32px;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:0;\">Book on HappyFares<\/h3>\n<p>Search and book international flights with your meal preference added at checkout \u2014 no need to call the airline separately.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" style=\"color:#e65100;font-weight:bold;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Search flights \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Looking for cheap flights?<\/strong> Compare and book on HappyFares \u2014 zero convenience fee:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/delhi-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Delhi to Dubai flights<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/mumbai-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mumbai to Dubai flights<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/bangalore-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangalore to Dubai flights<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/chennai-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chennai to Dubai flights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year, millions of Indian vegetarians fly internationally \u2014 and a large share of them end up with the wrong meal because they didn&#8217;t know which code to select. The IATA special meal system uses five-letter codes, and picking VGML when you meant AVML means getting a bland Western vegan plate instead of a spiced [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[549,1040,551,1041,547,548,550],"class_list":["post-3337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-airline-reviews","tag-avml","tag-iata-meal-codes","tag-jain-meal-flight","tag-special-meal-request","tag-vegetarian-meal-flight","tag-vgml","tag-vjml"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"HappyFares Travel Desk","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/author\/shantitravelogy-in\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Every year, millions of Indian vegetarians fly internationally \u2014 and a large share of them end up with the wrong meal because they didn&#8217;t know which code to select. The IATA special meal system uses five-letter codes, and picking VGML when you meant AVML means getting a bland Western vegan plate instead of a spiced&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3674,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3337\/revisions\/3674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}