A Guide to Kosher Airline Food

Kosher AIRLINE MEALS

What is a Kosher airline meal?

Kosher airline food is airline food that complies with Jewish dietary law, known as kashrut. The Torah forbids the consumption of animals that do not "chew the cud and have cloven hooves." This, therefore, excludes meats such as hare, camel and pig. The Torah also prohibits the consumption of milk and meat together as well as the consumption of shellfish and other non-fish sea creatures. A Kosher airline meal is a meal which has been prepared in accordance with these dietary regulations. Kosher meals served during Passover will differ from a regular Kosher airline meal. 

Are Kosher airline meals better?

Kosher meals often have a reputation for being nicer, or better quality, than regular airline meals. This may be because they are often provided by specialised Kosher airline catering companies (such as Hamasbia) rather than the airlines themselves. Frequent flyers, therefore, might find Kosher airline meals to be better because of the novelty of eating something different on their flight. Some passengers might find Kosher meals to be better because they are often accompanied by motza crackers or Kosher bread rolls, which may be of better quality than the bread served to other passengers. Not only is the food different to standard airline meals, but those who order Kosher airline food are sometimes served before other passengers, meaning that those eating a Kosher meal get to eat their meal first. 

What is an example of a Kosher airline meal?

Kosher airline meals may feature fish, beef or chicken and are often served with Kosher "mezonot" or "pas Yisroel" bread rolls. Kosher meals may then be followed by tea and coffee, taken with a milk substitute. If beef is eaten as an entree then a Kosher meal will not feature any chocolate for dessert, as meat and milk may not be consumed together under kashrut. Kosher airline meals may also be served with Kosher wine. 

What is the Kosher Meal Airline Code?

The code for a standard Kosher Meal is KSML. Strictly Mehadrin Kosher Meals (those with a Badatz certificate of the Edah HaChareidit in Jerusalem) use the code SKML. KCML is the code for Kosher children's meals. Vegetarian Kosher meals use the code GVML.

How do I book a Kosher Airline meal?

To book a Kosher airline meal onto your flight please contact Alternative Airlines or call the airline you are flying with directly and request a KSML (Special Kosher Meal). Please see below for an outline of which airlines offer kosher airline meals and when to book.

Which airlines offer special Kosher meals?

Check which airlines offer kosher meals and find out how far in advance to order.

*Only available on international flights. **Only available in Business Class. ***Order must be made at time of booking.

Other Special Meals

Flying as a vegan or vegetarian? Please visit our vegan and vegetarian airline food page. For a list of airlines offering halal meals or gluten-free meals, please visit our Halal and gluten-free pages. Or if you'd prefer to bring your own food on the plane, make sure you check with our guide to see what you can bring in your carry-on luggage.