A vegan meal on a flight is coded VGML and contains no animal products, so no dairy or honey. It differs from the Asian vegetarian meal, which is vegetarian and can include dairy. Air India, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines take vegan requests through Manage Booking, generally at least 24 hours before departure.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Vegan options on flights from India depend heavily on the airline and the length of the flight. This guide sets out what each airline says on its own pages, and what we could not confirm.
What does a vegan meal on a flight include?
Airlines use the code VGML for the vegan meal. Air India describes its vegan meal as free from all animal-derived ingredients, including dairy and honey. Etihad says its VGML contains no animal products such as dairy, and Singapore Airlines and Emirates publish their own descriptions of the vegan meal, so read them before you choose.
Because the style differs, a vegan meal from one airline may taste quite different from another’s. If you expect Indian flavours, ask whether the airline offers a vegan option in an Indian style, since the standard code is often Western.
How is VGML different from the Asian vegetarian meal?
The Asian vegetarian meal is coded AVML. It is a vegetarian meal that can include dairy, so it is not vegan. Many travellers who avoid dairy order AVML by mistake because it is the familiar Indian-style choice. If you are vegan, check that your booking shows VGML, not AVML. Our guide to airline meal codes covers the full code list, so we will not repeat it here.
Which airlines offer vegan meals, and how early must you ask?
- Air India: offers a vegan meal. Its dining page advises requesting a special meal at least 24 hours before the flight, through Manage Booking on the Passenger Details page.
- Emirates: VGML is available on request, and you request it through Manage Your Booking. Emirates pages quote different cut-offs, so ask as early as you can and confirm the deadline with the airline.
- Etihad: VGML, requested through Etihad’s manage booking page. Confirm the exact cut-off with Etihad when you book, and note that choices can be limited on short flights.
- Qatar Airways: lists vegan among its special meals. Its pages quote both 24 and 48 hours as the cut-off, so request at least 48 hours ahead to be safe.
- Singapore Airlines: VGML, with a general rule of at least 24 hours before departure and longer lead times from some departure cities. Check its table for your city.
We could not confirm a dedicated, labelled vegan meal on the pre-book menus of IndiGo or Akasa Air. Both sell meals through their own menus, so read the item descriptions and ask the airline if a dairy-free item is not clearly marked. Air India Express lists vegetarian and Jain options on its pre-book pages, but we did not find a vegan code there either.
How do you request a vegan meal after booking?
Open the airline’s own Manage Booking page, enter your booking reference and last name, and look for the meal or special request option. Do this for every flight in the itinerary, including the return. If you booked through a travel agent, the airline pages for Air India and Etihad say the agent can also place the request.
On a codeshare journey, special meal pre-booking may not be possible through the operating airline’s website. Air India says this for codeshare flights, and Etihad says to contact a partner airline directly for its meals.
What if there is no vegan option on your flight?
Special meals are not catered on every flight, and Singapore Airlines says so on its own page. If the airline cannot confirm a vegan meal, you have two practical choices: carry your own dry snacks within airport security rules, or choose a different flight. A short domestic flight may offer only a snack menu, so check before you rely on onboard food.
A small aviation fact: meals are loaded at the departure airport before boarding, which is why airlines set a cut-off in hours. A request after that cut-off usually cannot be met even by a willing crew.
Common Questions
Is a vegetarian meal the same as a vegan meal?
No. A vegetarian meal can include dairy, and the Asian vegetarian meal can too. A vegan meal leaves out all animal products, including dairy and honey.
What is the vegan meal code?
VGML. Air India describes the content without quoting the code on the page we read, while Etihad and Singapore Airlines state it as VGML. Check the code shown on your booking.
Can I order a vegan meal at the airport?
Generally not. Qatar Airways states that special meals cannot be requested on board, and other airlines load them in advance. Request online before the cut-off.
Is the vegan meal free?
On full-service airlines it is normally requested as a special meal, but rules differ by airline and fare. Confirm in your Manage Booking page, and check any price shown if an airline sells meals separately.
Do Indian domestic airlines offer vegan meals?
We could not confirm a labelled vegan meal at IndiGo or Akasa Air. Read the menu descriptions and contact the airline through official channels if you need certainty.
Do I need to ask again for each flight?
Check every segment. Meal requests are normally recorded per flight, so confirm that both directions show your meal.
Planning a trip? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings, then add your meal request through the airline’s Manage Booking page.
Meal availability, codes and request deadlines change; verify the current specifics with the airline before you travel.
