In the words of Frank Sinatra: “Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away…”
Need to take a flight? For leisure or for work? Remember to say: “GFML”.
This short guide aims to provide you with the information necessary to ask for or reserve a gluten-free meal during your flight.
This short guide aims to provide you with the information necessary to ask for or reserve a gluten-free meal during your flight.
Today, the majority of airlines offer special gluten-free meals (as well as special diabetic, vegetarian, kosher and lactose-free meals), marked with the initials GFML (GLUTEN-FREE/INTOLERANT MEAL). Some companies only offer special gluten free meals on long-haul flights or on intercontinental flights. In other words, there are more possibilities of obtaining this type of diet on a flight from Europe to the United States than on flights between two European or two American cities.
On short-haul flights, where there are no meals offered, only snacks, it is possible that individual dietary demands cannot be satisfied (Vueling, for example, does indicate in its snacks menu which snacks are gluten free), therefore it is not certain that you will be able to find gluten-free food options.
You have to request any gluten-free meal at the same time that you book your flight tickets. For example, American Airlines, with a combined flight with Iberia between Barcelona and New York, gives you the option between gluten-free meal, adult meal and children’s meal when you make the reservation. However, it is always recommendable that between one and four days before the flight, you call to remind them (depending on the company).
When you arrive at the airport check-in desk it is also a good idea to remind the person attending you that your booking specifies gluten-free food. And also remind them that there is a return flight booked with the same.
Normally, gluten-free meals should be wrapped and sealed. The crew know which is the gluten-free meal and will take charge of preparing, heating and serving it on a tray. GFML products are sealed and labelled and you should open them yourself. The drawback is that until your food is served, you won’t know what you are going to be eating.
However, our great tip is: things can not always be perfect. In other words, take some gluten-free food with you for emergencies. Never travel by air without taking some gluten-free food with you.
There are even people who recommend that people with coeliac disease carry a letter from their doctor explaining their need to carry their own food with them. Also, this may avoid problems with carrying your own food on board despite the regulations that limit the amount of liquids that you can carry.
So, what can you take?
- Fresh fruit, such as bananas
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Fresh vegetables
- Gluten-free cereals
- Biscuits and rice cakes
- Gluten-free cold meats
- Sweets
- Energy bars
- Crisps, corn snacks
and remember to include… a couple of wet wipes!
This way, if anything does go wrong, you will probably eat much better than those around you.
The main airlines that offer “gluten-free” food on long-haul flights are:
The main summary would be:
- Ensure via the airline website that they offer gluten-free meals (or special dietary needs meals).
- Request the special meal for yourself. Depending on the company, between one and four days before the flight. Every airline has its own policy.
- Confirm your meal directly with the company.
- Prepare emergency food just in case. We consider you to be an experienced travel, so you know it is extremely important: somebody may forget, label incorrectly… Always be prepared… A sandwich prepared at home, fruit, may save you from feeling hungry or, even worse, from feeling sick or light-headed.
- Did they just bring your meal? Check in the salad to ensure there is no hidden bread, fried chicken, etc. Just to be on the safe side!
We want to normalize holidays for celiacs
