If you have seen the BLML meal code while looking at special meals available on a flight, you may be wondering what it means and who this type of airline meal is intended for.
BLML means Bland Meal.
A BLML airline meal is designed for passengers who require simple, mildly flavoured food that is generally easier on the digestive system. It may be requested by passengers who experience digestive problems, are recovering from illness or surgery, or have been advised to avoid rich, spicy or heavily seasoned foods.
In this guide, I explain what the BLML meal code means, what foods may be included in a Bland Meal, what is usually avoided and how to request a BLML special meal before your flight.
BLML Airline Meal Code Quick Wins
- BLML means Bland Meal.
- A BLML airline meal contains simple, mildly flavoured foods.
- BLML meals usually avoid spicy, heavily seasoned, fried and rich foods.
- A Bland Meal may be suitable for passengers who experience digestive problems or need to follow a mild diet.
- Typical BLML foods may include plain meat or fish, potatoes, rice, vegetables, bread and simple desserts.
- The exact contents of a BLML meal vary between airlines and catering providers.
- A BLML meal is not automatically suitable for passengers with food allergies or intolerances.
- Special meals usually need to be requested at least 24 to 48 hours before your flight.
- Always check that your BLML meal request has been confirmed before travelling.
- Consider carrying suitable snacks in case your special meal is unavailable or unsuitable.
What Does BLML Mean?
BLML is the airline meal code for a Bland Meal.
Airlines use standard meal codes to identify the different types of special meals requested by passengers. If you are new to airline meal codes, I have a guide that lists all of the special meal codes and you can even print the list for free for your own reference.
The BLML code tells the airline and its catering provider that a passenger has requested a meal containing simple foods with mild flavours. A Bland Meal is generally prepared without strong spices, heavy seasoning or rich sauces. However, there is no single BLML menu used by every airline. The food you receive will depend on the airline, route, departure airport and catering provider.
What Is a BLML Airline Meal?
A BLML airline meal is a special meal designed around simple and mildly flavoured foods. It is intended for passengers who may find rich, spicy, fried or heavily seasoned foods difficult to tolerate. The meal may contain foods that are boiled, baked, steamed or otherwise prepared using relatively simple cooking methods. Depending on the airline, a BLML meal could include plain chicken or fish served with rice, potatoes or vegetables.
Breakfast options could include bread, cereal, fruit or other simple foods.
The exact meal served will vary considerably between airlines.
Who Is a BLML Meal Suitable For?
A BLML meal may be suitable for passengers who need or prefer to eat simple, mildly flavoured food. This could include people experiencing temporary digestive problems, passengers recovering from an illness or medical procedure, or those who have been advised to avoid rich and spicy foods.
Some passengers may also choose a Bland Meal simply because they prefer plain food, an example of this could be autistic travellers.
Requesting a BLML meal does not guarantee that it will meet the requirements of a particular medical condition or specific diet type. If you have specific dietary requirements, food allergies or intolerances, you should check the airline’s special meal information before travelling.
What Foods Are Included in a BLML Meal?
The foods included in a BLML airline meal vary depending on the airline and catering provider.
A Bland Meal may include:
- Plain chicken, turkey or fish
- Boiled or baked potatoes
- White rice
- Pasta with a mild sauce
- Cooked vegetables
- Bread or rolls
- Crackers
- Cereal
- Fruit
- Simple desserts
The meal will generally focus on foods that are not heavily spiced or strongly flavoured.
What Foods Are Avoided in a BLML Meal?
A BLML meal will generally avoid foods that are spicy, heavily seasoned, rich or particularly difficult to digest.
- Foods that may be avoided include:
- Hot spices and chilli
- Strongly seasoned foods
- Rich sauces and gravies
- Deep-fried foods
- Very fatty foods
- Strong condiments
- Some raw vegetables
- Highly flavoured dishes
However, airline policies vary, so you should not assume that every BLML meal will exclude the same ingredients.
Is a BLML Airline Meal Suitable for Food Allergies?
A BLML meal is not specifically designed for passengers with food allergies. 6Depending on the meal provided, it could contain common allergens including milk, eggs, wheat, gluten, soya or other ingredients. Airline special meals are also usually prepared in environments where multiple allergens are handled.
If you or your child has a food allergy, always check the individual airline’s allergy policy and special meal information before travelling. You can learn more about navigating travelling with an allergy in my guide to travelling with allergies.
You may also want to carry suitable food and snacks as a backup, provided these comply with airport security and customs regulations for your journey. It may also be worth researching medical baggage to find out if you are able to bring extra luggage with safe foods for someone with a food allergy – and don’t worry, I have a post about medical luggage so you can find the information you need quickly.
Is a BLML Special Meal Vegetarian?
Not necessarily. A BLML airline meal may contain meat or fish.
If you require a vegetarian meal, you should request the appropriate vegetarian airline meal code instead. Depending on your dietary requirements, this could include a VLML Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal, VGML Vegetarian Vegan Meal or another suitable special meal.
Is a BLML Meal Gluten-Free?
No. A BLML meal is not automatically gluten-free. It may contain bread, pasta, crackers, sauces or other ingredients containing gluten.
Passengers requiring a gluten-free meal should check whether the airline offers a GFML Gluten Intolerant Meal.
Remember that airline special meals may still be prepared in environments where cross-contact can occur.
What Is the Difference Between BLML and Other Special Meals?
The main difference is that BLML meals are intended to provide simple, mildly flavoured food.
Other airline special meal codes are based on specific dietary, religious or medical requirements.
For example, GFML refers to a Gluten Intolerant Meal, DBML refers to a Diabetic Meal and LSML refers to a Low Salt Meal.
A BLML meal does not automatically meet any of these dietary requirements. This is why it is important to choose the special meal code that most closely matches your individual needs.
How Do I Request a BLML Meal?
If an airline offers BLML meals, you can usually request one through the airline’s website, mobile app, customer service team or your travel agent. You may be able to add your special meal while booking your flight or through the Manage My Booking section afterwards.
Most airlines require special meals to be requested in advance. The deadline is often between 24 and 48 hours before departure, although this varies between airlines. I recommend requesting your BLML meal as early as possible and checking that the request appears on your booking before travelling.
What Should I Do If My BLML Meal Is Not Available?
Even when you have requested and confirmed a special meal, mistakes can happen. Your meal may not be loaded onto the aircraft, the catering arrangements may change or the meal provided may not be suitable for your needs.
For this reason, I always recommend carrying suitable snacks or food when travelling with dietary requirements. Make sure you check airport security restrictions and the customs regulations at your destination before packing food for an international flight.
BLML Airline Meal Code FAQs
What does BLML stand for?
BLML stands for Bland Meal. It is an airline special meal code used for meals containing simple and mildly flavoured foods.
What is included in a BLML airline meal?
A BLML meal may include plain meat or fish, rice, potatoes, cooked vegetables, bread, cereal, fruit and simple desserts. The exact contents vary between airlines.
Is BLML suitable for passengers with digestive problems?
A Bland Meal may be chosen by passengers who need to avoid rich, spicy or heavily seasoned foods. However, passengers with specific medical dietary requirements should check whether the meal is suitable for their individual needs.
Is a BLML meal vegetarian?
Not necessarily. BLML meals may contain meat or fish. Passengers requiring vegetarian food should request the appropriate vegetarian special meal.
Is BLML gluten-free?
No. A BLML meal may contain ingredients containing gluten. Passengers requiring a gluten-free meal should check whether the airline offers a GFML meal.
How far in advance should I order a BLML meal?
Most airlines require special meals to be ordered at least 24 to 48 hours before departure. Check directly with your airline, as deadlines vary.
BLML means Bland Meal and is the airline special meal code used for meals based around simple, mildly flavoured foods. A BLML meal will generally avoid spicy, heavily seasoned, fried and rich foods, although the exact ingredients and meals provided vary between airlines and catering companies.
If you need a Bland Meal for your flight, request it as early as possible, check that it has been confirmed on your booking and consider carrying suitable snacks as a backup.
Download a copy of my complete list of airline meal codes to help you understand the different special meals available when flying.
Resources for Autistic Travellers
Many autistic travellers opt for bland meals, which is why I have chosen autism travel resources for this section of my guide. Travelling can bring additional challenges for autistic travellers, from navigating busy airports and unexpected changes to managing sensory needs and finding suitable food. The resources below offer practical advice and information to help autistic travellers and families prepare for flights, airports and trips, reduce uncertainty and make travel more manageable.
- Of course, my own Instagram for Autism Family Travel Guide is a wealth of information and resources, as is this website and my dedicated travelling with autism guide
- Soak up everything you can from Kayla at Special Kind of Magic who posts all about travelling with autism and especially doing Disney with autism, she is also a travel advisor who can help you plan and book your trips – especially Disney!
- Follow along with Dina at Spectrum Getaways who posts autism travel advice for places around the world and offers trip-planning services for families with autistic children
- Learn more about Autism on the Seas and how they staff certain cruises with carers so families can make the most of their travels
- Reach out to Limitless Travel if you need a supported tour or trip for someone with autism
Continue Learning About Airline Meal Codes
- Airline meal codes and what they mean
- What does VGML mean?
- What does HNML mean?
- What does VLML mean?
- What does AVML 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
You can click on each image to go directly to the guide for that topic.
