skip to content

site sections

onboard

Special meals

bmi offers a range of special meals on bmi flights.  Meals must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of departure and Kosher meals must be requested at least 48 hours prior to departure. We will do our utmost to deliver your client's special meal request, however we cannot guarantee availability.

UK Domestic and European shorthaul

The following special meals can be requested for customers travelling on a Business fare on UK Domestic and European routes.

IATA codeSpecial meal
 AVML Vegetarian Hindu Meal
 DBML  Diabetic Meal
 GFML  Gluten Intolerant Meal
 HNML  Hindu Meal
 KSML Kosher Meal
 LCML Low Calorie Meal
 LFML Low Fat Meal
 LSML Low Salt Meal
 MOML Moslem Meal
 VLML Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal
 VGML Vegetarian Vegan Meal

Midhaul and longhaul

The following 16 special meals can be requested for passengers travelling on any fare on our midhaul and longhaul flights.

IATA code Special meal
 AVML Vegetarian Hindu Meal
 BLML Bland/Soft Meal
 CHML  Child Meal
 DBML Diabetic Meal
 GFML Gluten Intolerant Meal
 FPML Fruit Platter Meal
 HNML Hindu Meal
 KSML Kosher Meal
 LCML Low Calorie Meal
 LFML Low Fat Meal
 LSML Low Salt Meal
 MOML Moslem Meal
 NLML Low Lactose Meal
 SFML Seafood Meal
 VLML Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal
 VGML Vegetarian Vegan Meal

Special meal descriptions

IATA codeDescription
Vegetarian 
VLML
Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo
Vegetarians will refrain from eating anything derived from the slaughter or exploitation of animals, including meat, poultry fish and shellfish.  Less obvious by-products commonly used in cooking include lard, gelatine, gravy, stock, Worcester sauce, junket, rennet, glycerine and whey.  Margarine and cooking oils must be pure oil and stocks made from vegetable or yeast extract. Vegetarian cheese contains no rennet. Many sweets contain gelatine and biscuits contain animal fats so they are closely scrutinised before using on a vegetarian meal.
VGML
Vegetarian Vegan
As above but with a more strict approach - including no milk, butter, cheese, eggs or even honey.
AVML
Vegetarian Vegan
As for Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal but a Vegetarian Hindu Meal will be prepared using spices in an Indian style.
Medical 
BLML
Bland
No spices, pepper or chilli to be used.  No alcohol.  No 'gassy' vegetables such as onions or cabbage. Avoid caffeine - use decaffeinated coffee.
DBML
Diabetic
Low in fat and high in fibre to assist with maintaining blood sugar levels.
GFML
Gluten Intolerant
All products such as wheat, barley, rye and oats will be avoided. No bread or cakes - other than special gluten free range, should be used.
FPML
Fruit Platter
For passengers wishing to eat a meal with no additives or preservatives.  Fruit selection depends on local availability.
LCML
Low Calorie
Low in fat and sugar with small portions of portion. Will generally  include potatoes, pasta, rice, vegetables and fruit.
LFML
Low Fat
Low cholesterol meal. Beans and pulses to be included, but no saturated fats. Polyunsaturated fat is allowed in small quantities - as are low fat dairy products.
LSML
Low Salt
For persons with a kidney problem to help regulate their salt intake. Therefore the use of salt to be avoided in all ingredients and herbs are used to enhance flavour.
Religious 
KSML
Kosher
Jewish religious law has very strict guidelines for content and preparation of food in order for it to be Kosher.

Certain animals must not be used - for example, pigs and rabbits. Other animals such as chickens and cows must be slaughtered in a certain ritual manner in order to be Kosher.

A Rabbi supervises food preparation and these meals will remain sealed until served. The passenger should be shown the seal intact before the meal is heated and served. Milk or milk products may not be used with meat meals or served immediately before or after the meal. During the festival of Passover, an 8-day period in March or April, there are further special rules to observe and a Kosher Meal producer will offer Passover Meals at this time.

For all the reasons above, bmi require 48 hours notice in able to provide a Kosher Meal as they are not made by traditional caterers on site

MOML
Moslem
Certain meats such as pigs or fish without scales will not be eaten. Other animals must undergo ritual slaughter in order to be Al Halal. Lamb, beef and chicken are acceptable if Al Halal. All alcohol is excluded. Special rules apply during Ramadan when Moslems have to fast during the hours of daylight.
HNML
Hindu
 The Hindu religion is divided into Vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. The non-vegetarian will refrain from eating beef and sometimes pork.

Vegetarian Hindu's will normally be as strict as Vegan (VGML) and therefore eggs will be excluded too. Certain communities such as Jain and Harwary will also exclude root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic. As may be expected, Hindu meals will be spicy and of an Indian style.

Other 
CHML
Child 
For children 2-5 years old.  Solf and easy to chew meals, easily identified items and healthy options.  Should not contain fish or meal bones, nuts or seems hard sweets, rich sauces, whole grades or highly seasoned foods.
FPML
Fruit Platter
 For passengers wishing to eat a meal with no additives or preservatives.  Fruit selection depends on local availability.
NLML
Low Lactose
Omit all milk, yoghurt, cheese, ice-cream, sherbert, puddings,.  All items checked for diary content including bread.  Vegetables and fruit recommended.  Use only coffee creamers used from non-diary products.
SFML
Seafood
Just for passenger preference.  Supplied according to local availability

Special meal entries via GDS (VLML as example)

Galileo

SI.VLML

Request for all passengers for all segments

SI.S2/VLML

Request for all passengers for S2 segments only

SI.P1/VLML

Request for passenger 1 for all segments

S1.P2.3S3.4/VLML

Request for passengers 2 & 3 for sectors 3 & 4 only

Worldspan

3SAVLML

Request for all passengers for all segments

3S2VLML

Request for all passengers for S2 segments only

3SAN1.1VLML

Request for passenger 1 for all segments

3S3-4N2.1/3.1VLML

Request for passengers 2 & 3 for sectors 3 & 4 only

Amadeus

SRVLML

Request for all passengers for all segments

SRVLML/S2

Request for all passengers for S2 segments only

SRVLML/P1

Request for passenger 1 for all segments

SRVLML/S3-4/P2-3

Request for passengers 2 & 3 for sectors 3 & 4 only

Sabre

SRVLML

Request for all passengers for all segments

3VLML2

Request for all passengers for S2 segments only

3VLML-1.1

Request for passenger 1 for all segments

3VLML3,4-2.1,3.1

Request for passengers 2 & 3 for sectors 3 & 4 only

Allergies

Please note that bmi cannot guarantee that any particular foods or ingredients (such as peanuts or peanut derivatives) will be excluded from our catering. Customers with potentially dangerous allergies should ensure they carry appropriate emergency medication and that someone who can administer it accompanies them.