Special Meals
Need a special meal on your Etihad Airways flight?
Here’s everything you need to know about ordering dietary meals, children’s options, and religious requirements.
Quick Reference: Ordering Requirement
| Meal Type | Advance Notice Required | Flight Duration Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Most Special Meals | 24 hours before departure | Over 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Kosher Meals | 72 hours before departure | Over 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Limited Options (Short Flights) | 24 hours before departure | Under 2 hours 50 minutes |
Important: All regular meals on Etihad are halal by default – no special request needed.
Available Special Meals
(Flights over 2 Hours and 50 Mins)
IATA Code: AVML
This Indian-style vegetarian meal features authentic spices, proper seasonings, and ingredients like paneer and basmati rice, making it worth pre-ordering. Here’s everything you need to know about getting the AVML on your next flight.
IATA Code: BLML
The BLML (Bland Meal) is your safest option when you need gentle, easily digestible food during flight. This specialised meal focuses on simple, stomach friendly ingredients that won’t trigger digestive problems at 35,000 feet.
IATA Code: BBML
The BBML or Baby Meal can be ordered for infants under 2 years of age (depending on the airline, some airlines will only supply the BBML to an infant up to 10 months only) and will normally consist of pre-packaged baby meal products.
IATA Code: chml
The CHML, or Children’s Meal, is an airline meal code used to request food for young travellers, typically aged between 2 to 12 years.
IATA Code: DBML
The DBML or Diabetic Meal should be ordered by those who suffer from diabetes (high sugar levels). It’s a low sugar meal that contains minimal salt, low-fat products, grilled white meat, high fibre fruits and vegetables, cereals and diabetic friendly products like sugar-free jam.
IATA Code: FPML
The FPML or Fruit Platter meal may be ordered by people who are fasting, or perhaps vegan/gluten-free options are not available and this special meal fits the requirement. Generally, the FPML will contain fresh seasonal fruit only, and it may contain dried fruit without sulphites.
IATA Code: GFML
The GFML or Gluten-Free meal is designed for those who suffer from celiac disease or can’t tolerate gluten in their diet. Grains such as wheat, rye, oats, bran and barley are eliminated from these special meals as well as flours starches and semolina.
IATA Code: HNML
The HNML or Hindu Non-Vegetarian is a meal for people who follow Hindu custom. Meals are non-vegetarian and cooked Indian style. It’s one of those special meals that confuses a lot of people, people assume because it’s called Hindu that it’s vegetarian but the N stands for non-vegetarian.
IATA Code: KSML
The KSML or Kosher Meal is a meal where the food is chosen, prepared and served in accordance with Jewish religious guidelines. The meals are packaged in double wrapping which allows the meals to be heated in the aircraft oven that is non-kosher.
IATA Code: NLML
The NLNL or Non-Lactose meal is a lactose-free meal for people who are allergic or intolerant to milk and milk products, or those suffering from low lactose levels.
IATA Code: LCML
The LCML or Low-Calorie meal is a meal of low levels of calories and suited to people who are on a low-calorie diet. Some airlines aim to have no more than 400 calories per meal, but this will vary from airline to airline.
IATA Code: LFML
The LFML or Low Fat meal is a meal of limited fat and cholesterol suited to people who wish to follow a low-fat restricted diet.
IATA Code: LSML
The LSML or Low Salt meal is suited for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, fluid retention or kidney problems. No salt will be used during the preparation of food, and airlines try to avoid using food that contains added salt.
IATA Code: RVML
The RVML or raw vegetarian meal is a meal consisting of only raw fruits and vegetables.
IATA Code: VGML
The VGML or vegetarian meal is a meal option for passengers who wish to consume meals free of animal products. Vegans and vegetarians can order this option on their next flight, it is quite a standard meal option that is widely available for you to pre-order.
IATA Code: VJML
The VJML or vegetarian Jain is a meal option for passengers who are part of the Jain community.
IATA Code: VLML
The VLML or vegetarian lacto ovo meal is a vegetarian special meal with the added addition of eggs and dairy.
IATA Code: VOML
The VOML or vegetarian oriental meal is a vegetarian special meal for passengers who prefer an oriental style meal. It won’t contain any animal products, animal-derived ingredients, eggs, or dairy products.
Flights Under 2 Hours 50 Minutes
On shorter flights, only these special meals are available:
IATA Code: DBML
The DBML or Diabetic Meal should be ordered by those who suffer from diabetes (high sugar levels). It’s a low sugar meal that contains minimal salt, low-fat products, grilled white meat, high fibre fruits and vegetables, cereals and diabetic friendly products like sugar-free jam.
IATA Code: GFML
The GFML or Gluten-Free meal is designed for those who suffer from celiac disease or can’t tolerate gluten in their diet. Grains such as wheat, rye, oats, bran and barley are eliminated from these special meals as well as flours starches and semolina.
IATA Code: GFML
The GFML or Gluten-Free meal is designed for those who suffer from celiac disease or can’t tolerate gluten in their diet. Grains such as wheat, rye, oats, bran and barley are eliminated from these special meals as well as flours starches and semolina.
IATA Code: NLML
The NLNL or Non-Lactose meal is a lactose-free meal for people who are allergic or intolerant to milk and milk products, or those suffering from low lactose levels.
Note: Some very short intra-Gulf flights may not offer special meals at all.
FAQs
Are there additional charges for special meals on Etihad Airways flights?
No, requesting a special meal on Etihad Airways flights does not incur any additional charges. These meals are provided as part of the airlineโs inflight service.
Are meals on Etihad halal?
Yes, all meals served on Etihad Airways flights are halal, adhering to Islamic dietary laws, so passengers can request these meals with confidence.
Are there special meals available for children on Etihad Airways flights?
Yes, Etihad Airways offers child-friendly meals that can be requested during the booking process or through the Manage Booking section. These meals are designed to appeal to younger passengers.
Important Limitations
Flight Duration Requirements Most special meals only available on flights over 2 hours 50 minutes. Very short flights have extremely limited options.
Partner Airlines If any part of your journey is operated by Etihad’s partner airlines, contact them directly for special meal requests.
Celiac Disease Warning Etihad’s gluten-free meals are suitable for low-gluten diets but not guaranteed completely gluten-free. Not suitable for passengers with celiac disease due to shared kitchen facilities.
Bringing Your Own Food
You’re welcome to bring your own food and snacks onboard, subject to current liquid restrictions.
Parents are advised to bring preferred baby foods. Etihad can heat your own baby food and milk onboard.
Cabin crew can heat your own food and baby items during the flight.
Tips for Success
Before Booking
Check your flight duration to see if special meals are available
Note the different deadlines – kosher meals need 72 hours advance notice
Consider bringing backup food for strict dietary requirements
When Ordering
Double-check meal codes match your requirements
Request confirmation email or reference number
Verify the meal appears in your booking confirmation
The Bottom Line
Etihad offers a great range of special meal options, with detailed meal descriptions and clear dietary information.
The 72-hour requirement for kosher meals is longer than most airlines, so plan accordingly.
Just remember the flight duration requirements and advance notice deadlines, and always pack backup snacks for very specific dietary needs or picky children.
