If you have seen the CLML meal code when choosing a special meal for an upcoming flight, you may be wondering what it means and whether it is the right option for you.
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CLML stands for Celebration Meal. Unlike many airline special meal codes, which are designed around dietary, religious or medical requirements, a CLML is usually intended to help passengers celebrate a special occasion while flying.
However, Celebration Meals are not widely available across all airlines, and exactly what you receive can vary considerably. If you are hoping to arrange something special for a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or another celebration, it is important to check directly with your airline before you fly.
CLML Meal Code Quick Wins
- CLML stands for Celebration Meal.
- It is a special airline meal or catering option associated with celebrating a special occasion during a flight.
- CLML is not a standard dietary meal and does not indicate that the food is suitable for any particular allergy, intolerance, religious diet or medical requirement.
- Availability varies between airlines, routes and cabin classes.
- The contents of a CLML can also vary, so check with your airline to find out exactly what is included.
- You may need to order or request a Celebration Meal in advance.
What Does CLML Mean on a Flight?
The airline meal code CLML generally means Celebration Meal.
It may be offered to passengers who are celebrating a special occasion during their journey. Depending on the airline, this could include occasions such as:
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Honeymoons
- Weddings
- Engagements
- Other special celebrations
Unlike codes such as VGML for a Vegan Meal or GFML for a Gluten Intolerant Meal, CLML does not describe a specific dietary composition. Instead, it relates to the purpose or presentation of the meal.
What Is Included in a CLML Celebration Meal?
There is no single standard menu that applies to every CLML.
What is included will depend entirely on the airline and its catering arrangements. A Celebration Meal could potentially include a special dessert, cake or upgraded meal presentation, although you should not assume that these will automatically be provided.
Some airlines may use CLML internally for a particular celebration package or catering request rather than listing it as a special meal that passengers can select during the normal booking process. If you have seen CLML associated with your booking, contact the airline for confirmation of exactly what you can expect.
Is CLML a Birthday Cake?
Not necessarily. Although a Celebration Meal may sometimes be associated with birthdays, CLML does not automatically mean that a birthday cake will be provided.
If you specifically want a cake for a birthday, anniversary or another occasion, check whether your airline offers a separate cake-ordering service. Airlines that provide cakes may require them to be ordered several days before departure, and additional charges may apply.
Is a CLML Suitable for Vegetarians or Vegans?
You should not assume that a CLML is vegetarian or vegan. Because CLML describes a Celebration Meal rather than a dietary requirement, the food may contain meat, fish, dairy products, eggs or other animal-derived ingredients.
If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may be better choosing the appropriate dietary meal code, such as VGML for a Vegan Meal or VLML for a Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal.
If you also want to arrange something special for a celebration, contact the airline to ask whether a celebration item can be provided alongside your dietary meal.
Is a CLML Suitable for Passengers With Food Allergies?
CLML should not be treated as an allergy-specific meal. If you have a food allergy, you should check the airline’s allergy policy and discuss your requirements directly with the airline. Celebration foods such as cakes and desserts can contain common allergens including milk, eggs, wheat and nuts.
Cross-contamination may also be possible in airline catering environments.
If you need a special dietary meal as well as a Celebration Meal, ask the airline whether the two requests can be accommodated together.
If you are travelling with an allergy, I have some guides which may help you plan your travel: travelling with allergies, what are Equal Eats cards, free allergy translation cards, flying with an EpiPen and flying with medical luggage.
How Do I Order a CLML Meal?
The process for requesting a CLML varies between airlines. If the Celebration Meal is available as a selectable special meal, you may be able to request it through the Manage Booking section of the airline’s website or app. In other cases, you may need to contact the airline directly.
Try to make your request as early as possible. Airlines often have advance-order deadlines for special meals and additional catering requests.
It is also worth checking your booking after requesting the meal to make sure the request has been recorded correctly.
Is CLML Available on Every Airline?
No. CLML is not one of the special meal options you should expect to find on every airline.
Availability may depend on:
- The airline
- Your flight route
- Flight duration
- Departure airport
- Cabin class
- Catering availability
Even if an airline uses the CLML code, it may not necessarily be available for passengers to request on every flight.
Can I Order a CLML and Another Special Meal?
Possibly, but this will depend on the airline. Airline booking systems may only allow one special meal request to be attached to each passenger. This could create a problem if you need a dietary meal but also want a Celebration Meal.
For example, if you require a GFML meal due to dietary needs, replacing it with CLML could mean that your dietary requirements are no longer covered.
In this situation, contact the airline before changing your meal request. Ask whether your dietary meal can remain on the booking while a separate celebration item is arranged.
Things to Consider Before Ordering a CLML
If you are thinking about requesting a Celebration Meal, remember that the CLML code does not guarantee a particular menu or item. Confirm what the airline actually provides and whether there is an additional charge.
If you have dietary requirements, food allergies or intolerances, make sure these are addressed separately rather than assuming that the Celebration Meal will be suitable.
It is also sensible to reconfirm any special arrangements before your flight, particularly if the celebration is an important part of your travel plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About CLML
What does CLML stand for?
CLML generally stands for Celebration Meal in airline special meal coding.
Is CLML a special meal code?
Yes. CLML can be used as an airline catering or special meal code for a Celebration Meal, although it is not offered as a standard passenger-selectable option by every airline.
Does a CLML airline meal include a cake?
It may, depending on the airline, but you should not assume that a cake is included. Contact the airline to confirm what its Celebration Meal contains.
Is a CLML special meal free?
This depends on the airline. Some celebration services may be complimentary, while others may be available as a paid extra.
How far in advance should I request a CLML?
Order as early as possible and check the airline’s specific deadline. Special catering requests often need to be made before departure.
Can I request CLML for an anniversary or honeymoon?
Potentially. Celebration Meals may be suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons and other special occasions, depending on what the airline offers.
CLML generally means Celebration Meal and is used in connection with special-occasion catering on a flight. Unlike most airline meal codes, CLML does not tell you much about the ingredients or dietary composition of the food. What you receive and whether the option is available will depend on the individual airline and flight.
If you are planning to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or another special occasion in the air, check with your airline well before departure. If you also have dietary requirements or allergies, make sure these are handled separately so that choosing a Celebration Meal does not accidentally replace the special dietary meal you need.
Continue Learning About Airline Meal Codes
CLML is just one of the many codes you may encounter when choosing or requesting food for a flight. Other codes identify meals designed around vegetarian and vegan diets, religious requirements, medical diets, allergies and meals for babies and children.
Take a look at my complete guide to airline meal codes to learn what the different codes mean and help you work out which meal may be most appropriate for your next flight.
- Airline meal codes and what they mean
- Should I order a baby or childs meal?
- What does VVML mean?
- What does LSML mean?
- What does VLML mean?
- What does AVML mean?
- What does BLML mean?
- What does LFML mean?
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
- 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
Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using My Guides
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