Help with special meals on planes

edda

I've never done this before, but we need to order special meals on the plane for the 2 of us - and no one is being very helpful.

Is it the normally the responsibility of the airline to take a request like this, or does the travel company handle it?

We're flying out next week and I've been trying to book the meals since we booked the holiday. The travel company said it was up to the airline. When I spoke to the airline, they said it was only possible to do once the tickets were issued, as they needed our names. Now the tickets have been issued, the airline are saying the travel company has booked a load of tickets and they don't have our individual names. Back to square 1.

We have to order these meals at least 24 hours in advance so can't wait until the day of the flight. It's a 10 hour flight to the US, so can't take any drinks and would prefer not to take all our own food - but I'm getting really stressed out. Not a good way to start a holiday - wish I'd not booked the thing in the 1st place.

Has anyone any experience of how to ensure a special dietary requirement is met? This surely must be a fairly frequent request from people?

Thanks

gingin_2

I am an ex-flight attendant and I would expect both companies to bend over backwards to help you. If the worst comes to the worst and you are still stuck I would give the airline a final call and tell them to ensure that the 2 specific meals you require are put on the flight regardless of whether they have your name or not. You can just identify yourselves to the crew when you join the flight and they can take a note of the seat number and serve you your meals when required.

Most airlines carry spare vegetarian and Kosher meals. We have had people without their specifically ordered meals on flights and you tend to be able to use different foods to make up a meal (e.g diabetic or vegan). The crew are given a huge box of food for themselves on a flight and we were always making up passenger meals with this if we had to.

Sorry to say that unless the rules change you are not allowed to carry any of your own food on flights at the moment.

Are you able to say what sort of meal it is you want?

alison74

I would go back to the airline as they MUST have your name, especially for going to the US.

BUT your special meal requirement should have been noted at the time of booking and the travel agent should be helping you out by notifying the airline.

Who is it you are flying with ? If it's an American airline, I always email their customer services department and find they they give the best responses.

Good luck

_Andy_

Definetely the airlines responsibility.
I'm vegan and have had no problems with Virgin Atlantic, however I historically had issues with both United and BA.
Make damn sure you book 24 hours in advance (preferably more). When you checkin make sure it has been actioned (you can then work out if you need to take more food on with you).

Out of curiosity, what airline and what special meal ?

Cheers

MINMOUSE

My family (apart from DH ) are vegetarian and my 3 year old also has a nut allergy. We flew with virgin and they ordered a nut free meal for her but did not take into account (despite phone calls to there special needs department ) that she does not eat meat. She ended up eating the fruit and rolls that we had. They also took it upon themselves to give my older 2 kids kids meals that were meat based and we had to get them changed over to veggie meals - same happened on the way back (usa )

cundall

I always contact the airline direct and have never had any problems...

edda

We need low fat / low cholesterol meals. It's actually only for one of us, but thought it would be easier to ask for 2, since we are travelling together and could make up enough from both meals to make one edible meal that matches our needs.

The airline is BMI, who we haven't flown with since they were known as British Midland - and I thought they were v. good then.

I did try to notify about the meals at the time of booking to the travel company, but was told that it was the airline thet I needed to inform so didn't pursue the matter then (perhaps I should have been more insistent).

Alison - good thought about the US annd the fact that they must have our name. Will try again today.

Thanks to you all for your suggestions.

Bob63

Although I was only vegetarian for about 4 years I have flown vegetarian for the past 20. On long haul I have never had a problem. On short haul economy around Europe it can be virtually impossible as they often don't serve a meal or just have a bunch of sandwiches or similar in a big box. Very rarely have I had to eat something I didn't want to.

If you are wondering why I fly veggie still, take a tip from a frequent flyer - always request a special meal flying long haul. Not only do you get a meal that has been prepared for a vastly smaller number of people than the normal meals, but more importantly the special meals are normally distributed first so you get fed before the other 300 people in economy. And you don't have to fly veggie, just request a special meal - kosher, halal, vegan, low salt, low fat etc.

Mike

soolin

I am a coeliac and must have gluten free food, it is not a question of choice for me, it is a necessity.

I always ask the travel agent to mark it on the booking forms, I also contact the airlines before hand and remind them at check in as well. Despite all that about 1 trip in 4 my meal is not available.

On long haul it is a major problem and i usually carry my own food, which is of course almost impossible at the moment due to security regulations. As I also have other health problems it is essential I eat regularly, as without food I can become very ill. On a couple of occasions flight attendants have found me a piece of fruit, or more commonly a small box of raisins from a childs food box. I have checked with various airlines and even with the Coeliac society and have been told that there is no legal requirement to provide my food, so all I can do is hope they carry it and remember not to give it to someone else.

I went to Mexico in July and outward my food ( we paid for an upgrade) was very nice, coming back though it was awful. On departure all th eother passengers were offered croissants and hot cakes, and I was given raisins. My meal was vegetable and rice, no pudding no GF bread, no chocolate, just more raisins. My OH had pasta, mousse, chocolates and crackers with cheese as well as a bread roll.

Just before we landed biscuits and more bread products were offered round, but there was nothing left for me apart from some more raisins.

Soo

edda

Have managed to get through to someone sensible at BMI and booked our meals this morning. Hoping that we do get our requests serviced on the flights.

Thanks to everyone for your help on this. :T

wigginsmum

We've had no problems getting gluten-free food on flights TO the US (special GF rolls and cakes) and found it impossible with internal flights once we were there. American Airways for all flights.