Child vs Baby Airline Meals: A Guide to Special Meal Codes

Flying with babies and children often involves a lot of planning, and food can be one of the biggest considerations.

Will the airline provide food for your baby? What is included in a child meal? Can you order baby food in advance? And what happens if your child has allergies, follows a special diet or simply will not eat the standard children’s meal?

Many airlines use special meal codes to identify meals designed for babies, children and passengers with particular dietary requirements. Some of the main airline meal codes that families may come across include BBML, CHML, JNML and BLML. However, these are not necessarily the only options available for children. Depending on your child’s dietary needs, you may also be able to request a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, religious or other special meal.

In this guide, I explain the main child and baby airline meal codes, what you might receive and some important things to consider before ordering a child vs baby airline meal.

Quick Wins: Child vs Baby Airline Meal Codes

If you are looking for a quick answer, these are some of the main airline meal codes associated with babies and children:

Remember that special meal availability, ingredients and age restrictions vary between airlines.

What Are Airline Special Meal Codes?

Airlines use standard abbreviations known as special meal codes to identify different types of meals. You may see these codes when managing your booking, selecting meals online or contacting the airline to request a particular meal. Some special meals are designed around age, while others accommodate dietary, medical, cultural or religious requirements.

For families travelling with babies and children, understanding these codes can make it easier to work out which meal may be the most suitable option. If you would like to refer to the full list of airline meal codes my guide to airline meal codes includes a free printable version of the list that you can download for your own reference.

BBML: Baby Meal

BBML stands for Baby Meal.

This special meal is designed for babies and infants who are not yet ready for a standard children’s or adult airline meal. The contents of a BBML can vary considerably between airlines and routes. You may receive commercially prepared jars or pouches of baby food rather than a freshly prepared meal. The selection available may also be limited, and parents should not assume that the food provided will be a brand, flavour or texture their baby already eats.

Some airlines recommend that parents bring enough baby food and milk for the journey even when a BBML has been requested. This is particularly important if your baby has allergies, sensory preferences, feeding difficulties or is at a particular stage of weaning.

If you are travelling with a baby soon, you can read my full guide to the BBML meal code for more information.

CHML: Child Meal

CHML stands for Child Meal. This is probably the most useful and widely available special meal code for families travelling with younger children. A CHML is designed to contain foods that are generally considered more appealing to children than the standard adult meal. Depending on the airline and route, this might include foods such as pasta, chicken, potatoes, sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt or a dessert.

However, ordering a CHML does not guarantee that your child will receive their favourite foods. Airline catering varies considerably, and the exact meal provided can change depending on the departure airport, flight duration and catering company.

Parents of children with restricted diets, sensory differences or strong food preferences should consider bringing familiar snacks and suitable backup food.

You can also read my complete guide to the CHML meal code before deciding whether it is the right option for your child.

JNML: Junior Meal

JNML stands for Junior Meal. This is another airline meal code associated with meals for younger passengers. However, JNML is much less commonly offered than CHML.

The exact definition and contents of a Junior Meal may vary between airlines. If you see JNML listed as an option when booking your flight, it is worth checking directly with the airline to find out who the meal is intended for and what type of food may be provided.

As with all airline meals, the exact contents cannot always be guaranteed.

You can find out more in my full guide to the JNML airline meal code.

BLML: Bland Meal

BLML stands for Bland Meal. Unlike BBML, CHML and JNML, the Bland Meal is not specifically designed for babies or children. However, it may be an option that some families consider.

A BLML is generally designed to contain mild, simply prepared foods while avoiding heavily seasoned, spicy or rich dishes. For children who prefer plainer foods, parents may wonder whether a Bland Meal would be more suitable than the standard Child Meal.

It is important to remember that BLML is not designed specifically for selective eaters or children with sensory food aversions. The meal may still contain foods that your child does not like or eat.

If you are considering this option, my full BLML meal code guide explains more about what a Bland Meal may contain.

What Is The Best Airline Meal Code For Babies?

For babies and young infants, BBML is usually the first special meal code to consider. However, whether it is suitable will depend on your baby’s age when trying to chooose between a child vs baby airline meal, stage of weaning and their current dietary requirements.

Parents should check what their airline provides before travelling.

Even when you have successfully requested a Baby Meal, bringing familiar baby food is sensible. Airline catering can change, special meals can occasionally be unavailable and your baby may simply refuse the food provided.

What Is The Best Airline Meal Code For Children?

For most younger children, CHML will be the main meal code to consider. It is specifically designed as a Child Meal and is offered by many airlines. However, CHML is not automatically the best option for every child.

Some children may prefer the standard adult meal, while others may require a completely different special meal because of allergies, intolerances, medical needs, religious requirements or dietary choices.

The best airline meal for your child is the one that most closely matches their individual needs.

Can Children Order Other Airline Special Meals?

Yes. Children are not necessarily restricted to ordering between child vs baby airline meals. If another special meal is more appropriate for your child, you may be able to request it instead.

For example, families may want to consider:

• VGML for a vegan meal.
• VLML for a vegetarian lacto-ovo meal.
• AVML for an Asian vegetarian meal.
• GFML for a gluten-free meal.
• DBML for a diabetic meal.
• HNML for a Hindu meal.
• KSML for a kosher meal.
• MOML for a Muslim meal.

The availability of these meals varies between airlines and routes. Parents should also remember that ordering a special meal does not necessarily guarantee that it will be suitable for someone with a severe food allergy.

What If My Child Has Food Allergies?

Families travelling with food allergies should check the individual airline’s allergy policy before flying. You can also head to my guide about travelling with allergies to start planning an allergy-safe trip.

A special meal may be designed to exclude certain ingredients, but airlines and catering facilities may not be able to guarantee an allergen-free environment. Cross-contamination may also be possible. Contact the airline before travelling to discuss your child’s requirements, how the airline meals are prpepared and find out what support is available.

Depending on your child’s needs, you may also want to bring suitable food for the journey. Remember to check the rules for carrying food through airport security and into your destination country. Those travelling with severe allergies may be entitled to bring extra luggage with safe foods for free, this is called medical luggage. Contact your airline to find out if they allow medical luggage and if they need any medical documentation to approve it.

What If My Child Is A Selective Eater?

This can be one of the biggest challenges for families travelling with autistic children and other children with restricted diets or sensory food preferences. Unfortunately, there is no universal airline meal code for selective eaters.

A CHML may contain more familiar child-friendly foods, while some families may consider a BLML because the food is generally simpler. However, neither option guarantees that your child will receive food they can eat. We usually order the child’s meal and let the children choose what they want to eat from it. We make up the rest of their airline meal from pre-packed snacks or snacks offered by the airline.

If your child relies on particular safe foods, brands, textures or flavours, it is important to plan ahead. Where permitted, bring enough familiar food and snacks to cover the journey and possible delays.

Should I Pre-Order A Special Meal For My Child?

If you want a particular special meal, you will usually need to request it before your flight. The deadline varies between airlines but is commonly around 24 to 48 hours before departure. Some airlines require even more notice.

After requesting the meal, check your booking to make sure the request has been recorded correctly. I would also recommend checking again before travelling, particularly if your flight has been changed, cancelled or rebooked. Special meal requests do not always transfer automatically to a new flight.

Tips For Ordering Airline Meals For Babies And Children

• Check which special meals your airline offers before booking.
• Read the airline’s description of each meal rather than relying only on the meal code.
• Order the special meal before the airline’s deadline.
• Check that the request appears on your booking.
• Confirm the meal again if your flight is changed or rebooked.
• Bring familiar snacks and backup food where permitted.
• Do not assume that a CHML will contain foods your child likes.
• Check the airline’s individual policy if your child has food allergies.
• Remember that meal availability and ingredients can vary between flights and departure airports.

Are Child And Baby Airline Meals Free?

This depends on the airline and the type of ticket you have booked. On long-haul flights where meals are included, special meals are often available at no additional cost. However, low-cost and short-haul airlines may operate a buy-on-board service instead of providing complimentary meals. Always check what is included with your booking before travelling.

BBML, CHML and JNML are the main special meal codes families may come across when looking for airline meals designed for babies and children. However, children are not limited to meals designed specifically around age.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, medical and religious special meals may be more appropriate depending on your child’s individual dietary requirements.

Whichever meal you request, it is important to remember that airline catering can vary.

For babies, selective eaters and children with restricted diets, bringing suitable familiar food and snacks remains one of the best ways to make sure you are prepared for the journey.

Resources for Families Travelling With Kids

Travelling with children can involve plenty of planning, from keeping them entertained during long journeys to navigating airports, flights and unfamiliar destinations. The resources below offer helpful advice, practical tips and family travel inspiration, whether you are preparing for your child’s first flight, planning a city break or heading off on a longer family adventure.

• Follow Emma and her family from Family On The Fly as they globetrot with three kids
• Find the best stays around the world for families with Jess from Kid Friendly Stays

Resources for Families Travelling With Babies

Travelling with a baby can involve a lot of planning, from deciding what to pack to navigating airports, flights and unfamiliar destinations. The resources below offer helpful advice and practical information for families travelling with babies, whether you are preparing for your baby’s first flight or planning a longer family adventure.

• Baby food and milk luggage restrictions at UK airports
• Travelling with a newborn tips by Travel Mad Mum
• Read up anything you can by Marae from Brave Family Travel
• Devour my very own guide to travelling Scotland with a baby

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