AllergyPassRequesting an
Allergy Meal on a Flight
Request the meal early, check what the code actually means, confirm the request with the operating airline, and ask about it when you board. A special meal can be useful, but it is still airline catering—not a promise that your allergen was excluded or that cross-contact did not occur.
Step 1: Request it when you book, or right after
Start with the airline that will operate the flight. Look in "Manage My Booking," "My Trips," special assistance, special service requests, or dietary requirements. If you booked through a travel agent or another airline, the request may need to be added by the operating carrier as well. Ask for the exact cut-off for your route and keep the request number or confirmation message. A booking-site receipt by itself does not tell you whether the caterer received it.
Step 2: Pick the right meal code
Many airlines use familiar IATA meal codes, but airlines can define, offer, or display them differently. A code is a shorthand for a meal preference or restriction, not an ingredient list and not a cross-contact control. Choose a code only when its description matches the need you are trying to communicate, then ask the airline what it can do for the specific allergen.
| Code | Usually means | May help with | Does not promise |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFML | Gluten-free | A gluten restriction, if the airline confirms how it handles wheat and cross-contact | A meal free from milk, egg, nuts, soy, or another allergen |
| NLML | Non-lactose | Lactose avoidance | A milk-protein-free meal or exclusion of egg and other allergens |
| VGML | Vegan | Avoiding meat, fish, dairy, and egg as a preference | Exclusion of nuts, sesame, soy, gluten, or cross-contact |
| AVML | Asian vegetarian | A vegetarian preference | Exclusion of peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, or other allergens |
| BLML | Bland | A simpler meal when the airline says it can accommodate your needs | Exclusion of any specific allergen; "bland" is not the same as safe |
| SFML | Seafood | Passengers requesting seafood | Safety for a fish or shellfish allergy |
| CHML | Child meal | A child-appropriate meal preference | An allergy accommodation or a particular ingredient profile |
There is no standard IATA code that means "peanut-free" or "tree-nut-free." Do not pick BLML, VGML, or AVML just because the name sounds safer. Ask whether the airline offers an allergy-specific option, what ingredients are in the actual meal, and how it handles cross-contact. If the answer is vague, plan to rely on food you bring yourself rather than trying to translate a preference code into a safety promise.
Use the airline's current policy to compare meal service, cabin announcements, seat cleaning, and what food you may bring.
See the Airline Comparison →Step 3: Confirm it by the airline's stated deadline
A request in your booking and a meal loaded for the flight are related but not identical. Check "Manage My Booking" or contact the operating airline by the deadline it gives you. Ask the agent to confirm the meal type, the flight segment, and whether the request is confirmed or only recorded as a preference. Save a screenshot or reference number.
Check every segment separately. On a connection or codeshare, the marketing airline may not be the carrier preparing or serving the meal. Give the operating carrier the flight number, date, route, and booking reference, and ask whether it has received the request.
Step 4: Check for it the moment you board
Do not wait for the cart to reach your row. Tell a flight attendant discreetly when you board that a special meal was requested, and ask whether it is listed for that flight. If it is missing, explain your allergen clearly and use your backup food. Crew may be able to check with catering, but they may not be able to create a suitable replacement onboard.
Step 5: Bring your own backup, every time
A special meal may be prepared in a facility that also handles your allergen, and an airline's label does not tell you whether cross-contact was prevented. Bring sealed, shelf-stable food that you know works for you, enough for each flight segment plus a delay. Check the departure airport, transit airports, and airline rules before packing it; keep prescribed medication in your accessible carry-on, not with checked baggage.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do I need to request a special meal on a flight?
There is no single deadline. Airlines set their own cut-off, which can differ by route, operating carrier, meal type, and booking channel. Request it as soon as the itinerary is confirmed, check the airline's current deadline, and keep the confirmation.
What meal code should I request for a peanut or tree nut allergy?
Common IATA codes describe meal styles, not a promise that a named allergen was excluded or that cross-contact was prevented. There is no standard code that means peanut-free or tree-nut-free. Ask the operating airline what it can provide for your specific allergen, and do not treat BLML, VGML, or AVML as an allergy guarantee.
What happens if my special meal doesn't show up on the flight?
Tell the crew before meal service and ask whether the request appears on that flight's catering list. If it is missing, use food you have already brought if it is allowed through that airport and airline. Keep sealed backup food for each segment, including connections and delays, because a confirmed request can still fail after a schedule or catering change.
Is a vegan or vegetarian meal safe for a nut allergy?
Not automatically. Vegan and vegetarian codes describe what the meal leaves out, not whether it contains peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, or another allergen. Ask the airline about the ingredients and preparation of the actual meal; do not use a plant-based code as a substitute for an allergy request.