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Status: Checked against official sources on 18 October 2026

FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY

What is a special meal on a flight?

Special meal is the airline term for a meal ordered ahead of a flight to match a passenger's dietary, medical, religious or child-related needs instead of the standard meal loaded for the cabin.

Facts checked: 18 October 2026

Key takeaways

  • A special meal is ordered before departure instead of the standard cabin meal.
  • The main families are diet, medical, religious and child meals.
  • The request is associated with a passenger and a flight, not chosen during the onboard service.

What counts as a special meal on a flight?

A special meal is a separate meal request rather than a variation on the standard dish. It is associated with a passenger and a flight, and it replaces the standard meal rather than adding to it.

Diet-based meals avoid ingredients a passenger does not eat. Medical diets restrict something for health reasons. Religious meals follow the food rules of a faith. Child meals are simplified portions for younger travellers.

The families are broad, but individual meal names are not universal; a name used by one airline may have no equivalent on another.

How do you request a special meal?

A special meal is requested as part of the booking so that it can be associated with the passenger and flight. It is not the same as choosing a meal during the onboard service.

American Airlines publishes a special-meals page on aa.com [1]. The glossary also has an entry on SSR codes.

Why does an airline need advance notice?

Advance notice gives the airline time to associate the meal with the booking and to identify the passenger who ordered it.

Because the meal is tied to a specific flight, a request added after the airline's cut-off may not be catered.

Exceptions and limits

  • Not a medical guarantee. A special meal is a catering request, not clinical assurance; passengers with a serious food allergy should confirm details with the airline.
  • Infants. Travellers with a lap infant should also check the infant fare rules on their ticket.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026.

  1. American Airlines special-meals page on aa.com, accessed 18 October 2026