Before You Start
United Airlines offers special meals on select flights with complimentary meal service. Here are all the ways to request your dietary accommodation.
| REQUIREMENT | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| **Advance Notice** | Minimum 24 hours before departure required |
| **Eligible Flights** | International 2,000+ miles, Hawaii routes, premium transcontinental only |
| **Available Meals** | AVML, CHML, GFML, KSML, VGML only |
| **Cost** | Free on all eligible flights |
How to Order
- 1
Access Your Booking
Visit united.com.
Click “My Trips”
Enter your Confirmation Number and Last Name.
- 2
Find Special Services
On your trip details page, scroll down to find the “Special Services” or “Meals” section.
Click “Add special meal request”.
- 3
Select Your Meal
Choose a passenger from the dropdown.
Select meal type (AVML, CHML, GFML, KSML, or VGML).
Confirm selection.
- 4
Confirmation
Look for a green checkmark or a “Successfully updated” message.
Your meal preference should now display next to the passenger’s name.
What to Expect
During Flight
Flight attendants will identify special meal passengers during service
Special meals are typically served before regular meal service
Kosher meals (KSML) arrive in sealed, double-wrapped packaging
Backup Plan
Always bring backup food – even with confirmed special meal requests, catering errors occur. Pack approved snacks that meet your dietary needs.
Important Reminders
Request Early: Don’t wait until the 24-hour deadline – request immediately after booking
Screenshot Everything: Save confirmation screens in case of system errors.
International Connections: Ensure all flight segments are eligible for special meals
Bottom Line
United’s special meal system works best when requested during initial booking or immediately after.
Always verify that your request has been saved, and consider contacting customer service if you encounter any technical issues.
The mobile app is more reliable than the website for managing existing bookings.
FAQs
Can I change my special meal after I’ve requested it?
Yes, you can modify or cancel special meal requests up to 24 hours before departure using the same methods.
What if my special meal doesn’t appear on the flight?
Inform the flight attendant immediately. They cannot replace it, but may offer alternatives to regular meal service.
Can I request multiple special meals for different dietary needs?
No, United allows only one special meal type per passenger. Choose the most restrictive option that meets your needs.
