Vegetarian, Jain and Hindu Meal Codes on International Flights: VGML, AVML, JNML, HNML
By Aarav Sharma (Aarav Sharma covers Indian airline operations, airport infrastructure and route economics. He writes about Tier-1 and Tier-2 airport developments, IndiGo and Air India fleet strategy, and the unsung Indian aviation hubs travellers should know about.) · Published · 9 min read
VGML, AVML, VLML, JNML and HNML explained — how to request via airline, OTA or app, and which airlines actually do special meals well.
Why the meal code matters
The default Economy meal on most international flights is a single tray with limited choice — usually one veg and one non-veg option. For Indian travellers, the default can be a problem:
- The "vegetarian" option often contains eggs, which strict Indian vegetarians do not eat.
- It rarely matches Indian taste profiles — bland, dairy-heavy or pasta-heavy.
- Jain dietary requirements (no root vegetables, no onion, no garlic) are never met by default veg.
- Some Indians prefer Hindu non-veg specifically (chicken, lamb; no beef or pork).
Airlines solve this through special meal codes — 25+ IATA-standardised codes that you can pre-order at least 24-48 hours before flight. The special meals are usually fresher (individually prepared) and served before the standard trolley begins service.
This guide covers the codes most relevant to Indian travellers, how to request them, and which airlines handle them well.
The codes Indian travellers need to know
| Code | Full name | Includes | Excludes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVML | Asian Vegetarian Meal | Indian-style vegetarian; dairy products (paneer, yoghurt, ghee), spiced curries, rice/roti | All meat, fish, eggs |
| VLML | Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo | Eggs, dairy, vegetables, grains | All meat and fish |
| VGML | Vegetarian Vegan (strict) | Plant-based; vegetables, grains, fruits, soy products | All animal products including dairy, eggs, honey |
| JNML | Jain Meal | Strict vegetarian; above-ground vegetables, grains, dairy | All meat, fish, eggs, root vegetables (onion, garlic, potato, ginger, carrot, beetroot, radish), root spices |
| HNML | Hindu Meal | Non-vegetarian Indian; chicken, lamb, rice, vegetables, dairy | Beef, pork, alcohol-based preparations |
| KSML | Kosher Meal | Prepared under Jewish dietary laws; pre-sealed in original wrapping | Pork, shellfish, mixing dairy and meat |
| MOML | Muslim / Halal Meal | Halal-prepared meat (chicken, lamb), dairy, vegetables | Pork, alcohol-based preparations, non-halal meat |
| CHML | Child Meal | Kid-friendly: pasta, sandwiches, fruit, juice | Spicy, hot foods, alcohol |
| BBML | Baby Meal | Baby food, jarred or pureed | Solids, allergens |
For most Indian vegetarians, AVML is the default best choice. For strict vegans, VGML. For Jain travellers, JNML (verify availability with airline). For Indian non-vegetarians wanting Indian-style, HNML.
How to request a special meal
Method 1: At the time of booking
- On the airline website or OTA, look for "Add-ons" or "Special Services" during checkout.
- Select your meal code from the dropdown.
- Confirm at booking confirmation page.
Method 2: After booking via "Manage Booking"
- Log in to the airline's "Manage Booking" with your PNR + last name.
- Go to Passenger Details -> Special Meal.
- Select code and save.
- Confirm via email.
- Cut-off: typically 24-48 hours before flight. Some airlines (Emirates, Singapore Airlines) allow up to 6 hours.
Method 3: Via the airline's mobile app
- All major airlines (Emirates app, Singapore Airlines app, Air India app, Lufthansa app) have meal selection.
Method 4: Call the airline
- If the website doesn't show the option, call the airline customer service with your PNR.
- This is the surest way to confirm an unusual code (like JNML).
For multi-leg flights, request the special meal on each leg separately. A connecting Mumbai-Dubai-London journey needs two meal requests.
Which airlines do special meals well
| Airline | AVML | JNML | VGML | HNML | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | Excellent | Yes; reliable on most routes | Yes | Default option | Very High |
| IndiGo (international) | Limited; AVML on most | Limited; verify with call | Yes on some | Yes on most | Medium |
| Emirates | Excellent | Yes; reliable | Yes | Yes | Very High |
| Etihad | Excellent | Yes | Yes | Yes | High |
| Qatar Airways | Very Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | Very High |
| Singapore Airlines | Excellent | Yes | Yes | Yes | Very High |
| Lufthansa | Good | Yes (some routes) | Yes | Yes | High |
| British Airways | Good | Yes (request well in advance) | Yes | Yes | Medium-High |
| Turkish Airlines | Very Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | High |
| Air France / KLM | Good | Limited | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| United Airlines | Good | Limited | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| Thai Airways | Excellent | Yes | Yes | Yes | High |
Air India, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Thai Airways are the most reliable for Indian special meals — they routinely cater to large Indian passenger volumes and have the systems in place.
What to expect on board
- Your name (with seat number) is on a special-meal tag inside the meal tray.
- Special meals are typically served before the standard trolley begins. Cabin crew know to bring them first.
- Tray content is usually labelled with the meal code (e.g. "AVML" or "JNML") on the foil seal.
- If you do not receive your special meal, politely flag the cabin crew immediately. Sometimes meals are misplaced; usually the crew can swap or find a replacement.
- For breakfast / second meal: special meal is repeated. AVML breakfast is typically a paratha + curd / upma / poha.
- Mid-flight snacks (between meals) are the standard cabin offering, not the special meal. Some airlines accommodate special diets in mid-flight too if asked.
Common pitfalls
- Booking less than 24 hours before flight. Special meal is usually not loadable. Carry your own snacks instead.
- Assuming Western airlines auto-default to vegetarian. They don't. Always pre-order if you want anything specific.
- Confusing VGML and AVML. VGML is strict vegan (no dairy). AVML is Indian-style with dairy. For most Indian vegetarians, AVML is what you want.
- Not confirming on connecting flights. Special meal request on the first leg does not auto-apply to onward connections. Request separately per leg.
- Codeshare confusion. If your ticket is on Airline A but operated by Airline B, request via Airline A. Airline B may not see the special meal request without it being formally loaded.
Complete meal code reference table
Beyond the most common codes, here is the full list of IATA special meal codes relevant to Indian travellers, with detailed breakdowns of what each actually contains:
| Code | Full name | What it typically contains | What it excludes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVML | Asian Vegetarian Meal | Paneer curry, dal, rice/roti, raita, Indian pickle, seasonal vegetables cooked Indian-style, ghee-based preparations | All meat, fish, eggs, pork, beef | Most Indian vegetarians (lacto-vegetarian) |
| VGML | Vegetarian Vegan | Vegetables, grains, fruits, tofu/soy, legumes, hummus, salads | All animal products: dairy, eggs, honey, ghee, butter | Strict vegans; Indians who are dairy-free |
| VJML | Vegetarian Jain Meal | Same as AVML but without root vegetables. Above-ground vegetables, dairy, rice, roti, dal made without onion/garlic | All meat, fish, eggs, root vegetables (onion, garlic, potato, ginger, carrot, beetroot, radish), root spices, mushrooms | Jain travellers (also listed as JNML by some airlines) |
| VLML | Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo | Western-style vegetarian: pasta, omelette, cheese sandwich, quiche, salad with eggs | All meat, fish | Indians comfortable with eggs; Western vegetarian diet preference |
| VOML | Vegetarian Oriental | Chinese/East Asian vegetarian: tofu, noodles, stir-fried vegetables, soy-based preparations | All meat, fish, eggs, dairy | Indians who prefer East Asian flavours |
| RVML | Raw Vegetarian Meal | Uncooked fruits, raw vegetables, seeds, nuts, salads | All cooked food, all animal products | Raw food diet adherents |
| HNML | Hindu Non-Vegetarian | Chicken curry, lamb curry, Indian-style rice, vegetables, no beef/pork | Beef, pork, alcohol-based preparations | Indian non-vegetarians wanting Indian-style food |
| MOML | Muslim / Halal Meal | Halal-certified chicken/lamb, rice, vegetables | Pork, alcohol, non-halal meat | Muslim travellers requiring halal certification |
Important: JNML and VJML are used interchangeably by different airlines for the same Jain meal specification. When requesting, specify both the code and a verbal description ("Jain vegetarian — no root vegetables, no onion, no garlic") to ensure clarity. Some booking systems only show one code or the other.
Airline-by-airline Jain meal performance
Jain meals (JNML/VJML) are the most specific and hardest-to-execute special meal. Here is how each major airline actually performs based on consistent traveller reports:
| Airline | JNML availability | Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | Yes, reliable on all routes | Good — authentic Indian preparation | Default caterer understands Jain restrictions. Occasionally uses ginger in gravy — specify "no ginger" if strict. |
| Emirates | Yes, reliable | Very good | Handles JNML well due to high India traffic. Request via website or app. 24-hour cut-off. |
| Singapore Airlines | Yes, reliable | Excellent | Among the best JNML quality. SATS catering in Singapore has dedicated Indian cuisine team. |
| Qatar Airways | Yes | Good | Doha catering handles large Indian volumes. Quality is consistent. |
| Etihad | Yes | Good | Similar to Emirates. Abu Dhabi catering competent with Indian special meals. |
| Lufthansa | Yes on India routes; limited on intra-Europe | Adequate | German catering understands the concept but execution can be bland. Carries backup AVML which may substitute if JNML is not loaded. |
| British Airways | Yes (request well in advance, 48-72 hrs) | Adequate to good | Quality varies by catering hub. London-origin flights are generally better than outstation. |
| Air France / KLM | Limited — may substitute AVML | Variable | Jain meal is not well understood by French/Dutch catering. High risk of garlic or onion inclusion. Carry backup food. |
| United Airlines | Limited — AVML available, JNML uncertain | Variable | US catering has limited understanding of Jain dietary rules. Call to request; verify at gate. Carry backup. |
| Thai Airways | Yes | Good | Bangkok catering handles Indian special meals well due to large Indian tourist volumes. |
| IndiGo (international) | Limited — pre-order required | Basic | LCC model means meal quality is basic across all categories. Pre-order AVML; JNML availability varies by route. |
The bottom line: Air India, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways are the safest choices for Jain travellers. On any other airline, carry backup food and verify your JNML request by calling customer service in addition to the online booking.
How to pre-order on each airline's website
The process for requesting special meals varies by airline. Here are step-by-step instructions for the most common carriers from India:
Air India
- Go to airindia.com → Manage Booking → Enter PNR + last name
- Click "Add-ons" → "Special Meals" → Select passenger → Choose meal code
- Cut-off: 24 hours before departure
- App: Air India app → My Trips → Meal selection
Emirates
- emirates.com → Manage Booking → Enter PNR or Emirates Skywards login
- Passenger Details → Meal Preferences → Select code per flight leg
- Cut-off: 24 hours (some routes 6 hours)
- App: Emirates app → Manage Booking → Meals. Very intuitive interface.
Singapore Airlines
- singaporeair.com → Manage Booking → Meal Preference
- Select meal per leg. KrisFlyer members can set a permanent default in their profile — it auto-applies to future bookings.
- Cut-off: 24 hours
Lufthansa / Swiss / Austrian (Lufthansa Group)
- lufthansa.com → My Bookings → Meal Selection
- Available 24 hours to 7 days before flight depending on route
- For JNML, calling +91 customer service line is more reliable than online
United Airlines
- united.com → My Trips → Meal Requests (under "Special Services")
- AVML and VGML available online; JNML may require a phone call
- Cut-off: 24 hours
For multi-leg itineraries (e.g., Delhi to New York via Frankfurt), request meals on each leg separately. A meal request on the DEL-FRA leg does not automatically apply to the FRA-JFK leg.
Backup strategy — carrying your own food through security
No matter how reliable the airline, always carry backup food in your cabin bag. Here is what is allowed through Indian airport security and international arrivals:
Allowed through Indian airport security (domestic and international departure)
- All dry food: theplas, khakhras, protein bars, dry fruits, biscuits, murukku, chivda, namkeen, bread, sandwiches
- Whole fruits: apples, oranges, bananas (packed in a bag)
- Home-cooked food in sealed containers: paratha, rice, sabzi — allowed but subject to X-ray screening. Use leak-proof containers.
- Baby food and infant formula: unlimited quantity, even liquids
- NOT allowed as liquids: yoghurt/curd (>100 ml), chutneys, pickles in jars (>100 ml), soup — these fall under liquid restrictions
What you can carry INTO foreign countries
- USA: Dry vegetarian food generally allowed. All food items must be declared at customs. Cooked rice, dal, roti, theplas — allowed if declared. Fresh fruits/vegetables — may be confiscated (USDA restrictions). Dairy (paneer, cheese) — generally allowed in small quantities for personal use.
- UK/Europe: Stricter on dairy and animal products from outside the EU. Dry vegetarian snacks are fine. No meat products of any kind.
- UAE/Gulf: Liberal — most food allowed. Pork products prohibited in some Gulf states.
- Southeast Asia: Generally liberal for dry food. Some countries restrict fruits/seeds.
The golden rule: always declare all food at customs. Undeclared food carries fines of USD 300-1,000+ at US and Australian customs. Declared vegetarian food is virtually never confiscated — they just want to inspect it.
Religious fasting considerations on flights
Indian travellers observing religious fasts face unique challenges on long-haul flights. Here is how to handle common scenarios:
- Navratri fasting: If you follow a saatvik Navratri diet (no grains, no onion/garlic, limited vegetables), none of the standard airline meal codes match perfectly. AVML will contain rice/roti (grains). Your best option: carry kuttu (buckwheat) rotis, sabudana khichdi, fruits, and makhana from home. Inform the cabin crew you are fasting; they can usually provide fresh fruit plates and tea/coffee.
- Ekadashi fasting: Similar to Navratri — grain-free. Same backup strategy applies. Some airlines can provide a fruit plate on request even without a formal meal code.
- Ramadan (Muslim travellers): For flights during Ramadan, request MOML for suhoor/iftar timing. Airlines with large Muslim ridership (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Saudi, Turkish) adjust meal timing and offer date and water at iftar time. Inform the crew you are fasting — they will hold your meal tray until the appropriate time.
- Jain Paryushana / Samvatsari: During the 8-10 day Paryushana period, many Jain travellers observe strict fasts or eat only once daily. If flying during this period, request JNML for the meals you will eat, and carry boiled water and permitted dry snacks for fasting hours.
For all fasting scenarios: stay hydrated. Cabin air dehydration is the biggest physical stress during a fast at altitude. Water and electrolytes are permitted in most fasting traditions — drink them. For more long-haul flight tips, see our things to do on long-haul flights guide.
Backup snacks — what to pack
Even with a confirmed special meal request, things go wrong. Pack:
- 2-3 protein bars (Yoga Bar, Naturalist, RiteBite).
- Mixed dry fruits (almonds, cashews, raisins) — high satiety, easy to eat.
- Theplas / khakhras — Indian travel staples, easy to carry, last days.
- Murukku, chivda — savoury options.
- Soft biscuits (Britannia, Parle).
- Sealed dry fruit packets — easier to share/eat without mess.
- Two pieces of fruit (apples, oranges) — security allows; long shelf life.
Avoid: anything with high oil/spice (curries, wet sabzi) — leak risk and smell in cabin; eggs/dairy (food poisoning risk after warm exposure); heavy meat (smell).
For broader long-haul packing and routines, see our things to do on long-haul flight guide. Also see our 15-hour flight survival guide for India-USA food strategies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AVML and VGML on international flights?
AVML (Asian Vegetarian Meal) is Indian-style vegetarian — includes dairy products like paneer, yoghurt, ghee — and matches typical Indian vegetarian eating habits. VGML (Vegetarian Vegan) is strict vegan, excluding all animal products including dairy, eggs and honey. For most Indian vegetarians who eat dairy, AVML is the correct choice. Strict vegans should choose VGML. Both must be pre-ordered at least 24-48 hours before flight via the airline website or app.
How do I request a Jain meal on international flights?
Jain meal code is JNML (also listed as VJML on some airlines). Request via the airline website's 'Manage Booking' under Special Services / Meals, or call airline customer service at least 24-48 hours before flight (some airlines need 72 hours for JNML). The meal excludes all meat, fish, eggs, root vegetables (onion, garlic, potato, ginger, carrot, beetroot) and root spices. Air India, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Thai Airways reliably provide JNML; some Western carriers have limited availability — verify directly.
Will I get an Indian meal automatically on an Air India flight?
Air India's default Economy meal already includes Indian options — typically a vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian-style tray. However, for guaranteed Indian-style vegetarian, request AVML or for Indian non-veg with no beef or pork, HNML. Special meals are individually prepared, often fresher than the standard trolley, and served first. Always pre-order for connecting onward flights too — the request on the first leg does not auto-apply.
Can I change my meal preference after booking?
Yes, up to 24-48 hours before flight via the airline website's 'Manage Booking' section, the mobile app, or by calling customer service. After the cut-off, the meal manifest is sent to the catering kitchen and changes are usually not possible. If you only realise the day of flight, ask the gate agent or cabin crew — sometimes airlines can swap with another passenger or accommodate from spare special meals.
Which airlines have the best Indian meals?
Air India is the gold standard — Indian dishes are the default and well-prepared. Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Thai Airways consistently deliver excellent AVML, JNML and HNML — these airlines carry high Indian passenger volumes and have institutional expertise. Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM are good but less Indian-specialised. Avoid relying on small US carriers for niche meal codes — verify before booking.
Do I need to pay extra for a special meal on international flights?
No — special meals (AVML, JNML, VGML, HNML, MOML, KSML and others) are provided free of charge on most international full-service airlines, including Air India, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, BA, Etihad and Qatar. Some low-cost carriers and 'basic economy' fares on certain airlines (Lufthansa Light, BA Basic) may not include any meal — special or otherwise — and meals must be purchased separately. Check the fare class before booking.
What do I do if my special meal is not loaded on the flight?
Politely flag the cabin crew immediately. They will check the meal manifest, sometimes the meal is misplaced. If not available, they will typically offer you a substitute — fruit plate, sandwich, salad, or another passenger's unclaimed special meal. Most international carriers carry 2-3 spare special meals per cabin for contingencies. As backup, always carry 2-3 snack items (protein bars, dry fruits, theplas) in your cabin baggage.
What is the difference between JNML and VJML?
JNML (Jain Meal) and VJML (Vegetarian Jain Meal) refer to the same dietary specification — strict vegetarian excluding root vegetables, onion, garlic, and root spices. Different airlines use different codes. Air India and Gulf carriers typically use JNML. Some European carriers list it as VJML. When booking, use whichever code the airline system shows; if neither appears, call customer service and describe the requirements verbally.
Can I bring home-cooked Indian food on an international flight?
Yes — home-cooked food in sealed containers is allowed through Indian airport security and in cabin baggage. Theplas, parathas, rice, dry sabzi all pass security X-ray without issues. Liquids over 100 ml (curd, chutney, pickle jars) are restricted. At the destination, declare all food at customs. US, UK, and Australian customs inspect but generally allow vegetarian cooked food for personal consumption. The key is always to declare — undeclared food carries heavy fines.