What Does VJML Mean? A Guide to the VJML Meal Code

If you have seen the VJML meal code while booking a flight or looking through an airline’s special meal options, you may be wondering what it means.

VJML stands for Vegetarian Jain Meal. It is a special airline meal prepared according to Jain dietary principles and is suitable for passengers who avoid meat, fish, eggs and root vegetables.

A VJML airline meal is one of several vegetarian special meals that may be available to pre-order before a flight. However, it is considerably more restrictive than a standard vegetarian meal, so it is important to understand what is and is not included before requesting one.

Below, you can find out what VJML means, what food may be included in a Vegetarian Jain Meal and how to request one for your flight.

VJML Meal Code Quick Wins

• VJML stands for Vegetarian Jain Meal.
• It is designed for passengers following Jain dietary principles.
• VJML meals do not contain meat, fish, poultry or eggs.
• Root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, garlic and carrots are also excluded.
• A VJML meal is not necessarily vegan because it may contain dairy products.
• VJML is different from AVML and other vegetarian airline meals.
• Special meals usually need to be requested at least 24 to 48 hours before departure.
• Always check the airline’s individual VJML meal description if you have strict dietary requirements.

What Does VJML Mean?

VJML stands for Vegetarian Jain Meal.

The VJML meal code is used by airlines and within the aviation industry to identify meals prepared according to Jain dietary requirements. A Vegetarian Jain Meal does not contain meat, poultry, fish or eggs. It also avoids root vegetables and certain other foods that are not eaten by people following a Jain diet.

Passengers can usually request a VJML airline meal in advance through the airline’s website, booking management system or customer service team.

If you are new to airline meal codes, my guide to all of the airline meal codes lists them out in an easy to read manner and also includes a free download of the list of meal codes for your reference.

What Is a VJML Meal?

A VJML meal is a special vegetarian airline meal designed for passengers following Jain dietary principles. Jain diets are based on the principle of non-violence and avoiding harm to living organisms. As a result, the diet excludes all meat, fish and eggs, as well as vegetables that grow underground.

This means a Vegetarian Jain Meal is different from many other vegetarian airline meals. For example, a standard vegetarian meal could contain potatoes, onions, garlic or other root vegetables. These ingredients should not be included in a VJML meal.

What Food Is Included in a VJML Meal?

The exact contents of a VJML airline meal will vary depending on the airline, route and catering company.

A Vegetarian Jain Meal may include:

• Rice
• Lentils
• Beans and pulses
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Aubergine
• Courgette
• Peas
• Leafy vegetables
• Fruit
• Bread
• Dairy products, depending on the airline and meal
• Desserts that meet the meal requirements

The meal may include Indian-style dishes, although this is not guaranteed.

Airlines use the same VJML meal code internationally, but the actual food served can differ significantly between flights.

What Food Is Not Included in a VJML Meal?

A VJML meal should not contain:

• Meat
• Poultry
• Fish
• Seafood
• Eggs
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Radishes
• Turnips
• Other root vegetables

Some Jain passengers may follow additional dietary restrictions beyond those covered by the standard airline VJML meal code. If you have strict religious dietary requirements, it is worth checking the airline’s description of its Vegetarian Jain Meal before travelling.

Is VJML Vegan?

No. A VJML meal is not necessarily vegan. Vegetarian Jain Meals may contain dairy products and other ingredients that would not be suitable for someone following a vegan diet.

Passengers who require a vegan airline meal should usually request a VGML special meal, or Vegan Meal, instead.

However, a VGML meal may contain ingredients such as onions, garlic and root vegetables, which means it may not be suitable for passengers following a Jain diet.

Is VJML the Same as an Indian Vegetarian Meal?

No. A Vegetarian Jain Meal is not the same as an Asian Vegetarian Meal or Indian Vegetarian Meal.

The AVML meal code is commonly used for an Asian Vegetarian Meal. This type of meal may include Indian-style vegetarian food but can contain root vegetables, onions and garlic.

A VJML meal has additional restrictions to meet Jain dietary requirements. A Vegetarian Jain Meal does not contain meat, poultry, fish or eggs. It also avoids root vegetables and certain other foods that are not eaten by people following a Jain diet.

If you follow a Jain diet, you should request VJML rather than assuming another vegetarian meal will meet your needs.

Is VJML Suitable for People With Food Allergies?

A VJML meal is not specifically designed for passengers with food allergies.

Although the meal excludes certain ingredients, it may still contain common allergens such as:

• Milk
• Gluten
• Wheat
• Soya
• Sesame
• Nuts

Cross-contamination may also be possible during preparation, storage or service.

If you or your child has a food allergy, contact the airline before travelling to discuss its allergy policies and available accommodations. If you need more help planning a trip with someone who has an allergy, I have a guide to travelling with allergies which is a great place to begin.

Do All Airlines Offer VJML Meals?

No. Not every airline offers a Vegetarian Jain Meal. VJML meals are more commonly available on full-service airlines and airlines operating routes where there is greater demand for Jain meal options. The availability of special meals can also depend on your route, departure airport and cabin class.

Even when an airline offers VJML meals, they may not be available on every flight.

How Do I Request a VJML Meal?

You will usually need to request your Vegetarian Jain Meal before your flight.

Depending on the airline, you may be able to do this:

• While booking your flight
• Through the Manage Booking section of the airline’s website
• Through the airline’s app
• By contacting customer services
• Through your travel agent

Airlines commonly require special meal requests to be made at least 24 to 48 hours before departure, although the deadline varies. I recommend requesting your meal as early as possible and checking that the VJML request appears on your booking.

Does a VJML Meal Cost Extra?

Special airline meals are usually provided free of charge on flights where complimentary meal service is included. However, this depends on the airline and your ticket type.

Low-cost airlines and flights where meals must be purchased separately may not offer VJML meals and if they do they may apply a cost to them, just as they do for every other meal available.

Always check directly with your airline before travelling.

What Should I Do If My VJML Meal Is Not Available?

Special meal requests can occasionally be missed, even when they have been booked correctly. If you rely on a particular diet, consider bringing suitable food and snacks with you as a backup.

Remember to check airport security and customs restrictions, particularly when travelling internationally, as some foods cannot be taken through security or brought into certain countries.

You can also confirm your special meal request with the airline before departure and ask staff about your meal when you board the aircraft.

Other Airline Meal Codes Similar to VJML

There are several airline meal codes for passengers following vegetarian diets.

These include:

• VGML – Vegan Meal (learn more about the VGML Vegan airline meal)
• VLML – Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal (learn more about the VLML Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo meal)
• AVML – Asian Vegetarian Meal
• RVML – Raw Vegetable Meal
• FPML – Fruit Platter Meal

The best meal code for you will depend on your dietary requirements and the options provided by your airline.

Frequently Asked Questions About VJML Meals

Continue Learning About Airline Meal Codes

Airlines use a wide range of four-letter meal codes to identify special meals for passengers with different dietary, religious and medical requirements.

Continue learning about airline meal codes with my other guides:

• What does HNML mean?
• What does VLML mean?
• What does DBML mean?
• What does NLML mean?
• What does MOML mean?
• What does JNML mean?
• What does KSML mean?
• What does VOML mean?
• What does CHML mean?
• What does VGML mean?
• Airline meal codes and what they mean
• Codes used by airports and airlines

Understanding the different airline meal codes can make it easier to choose the most appropriate meal for yourself or your family before your next flight.

Continue Planning Your Trip With an Allergy

• Start at the beginning – learn about travelling with an allergy from my main guide
• Learn about airline meal codes and what they stand for so you can be sure your meal is allergen free
• Accommodations airlines can make for travellers with allergies
• Find out what is in my babies allergy travel bag so you can save yourself the headache of packing without a list
• Explore what it means to fly with medical luggage as an allergy travellers
• Download and print some free allergy translation cards before your trip
• Find out what Equal Eats allergy translation cards are and how to use them to travel safer
• Learn why it is important to learn important phrases related to your allergy before you travel and downloaed the free accessible travel translations eBook
• Figure out what to include on a doctors travel letter for medication so you can get it right the first time
• Find out more about flying with EpiPens so you can travel with confidence
• Airport special assistance links for airports around the world

Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using My Guides

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