If you have seen the airline NFML meal code while choosing a special meal for an upcoming flight, you may be wondering exactly what it means and who it is designed for.
NFML stands for No Fish Meal. It is a special meal request used by some airlines and catering systems for passengers who need or prefer a meal that does not contain fish.
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However, requesting an NFML does not necessarily mean that your meal is suitable for someone with a serious fish or seafood allergy. In this guide, I explain what an NFML is, what you might be served and what you should consider before ordering one.
What Does the Airline Meal Code NFML Mean?
NFML meal means No Fish Meal. The purpose of this special meal is to provide a meal that does not contain fish. Depending on the airline and catering provider, this may mean replacing a fish-based main course with another option such as chicken, beef, pasta or a vegetarian dish.
NFML is less commonly seen than standard airline special meal codes such as VGML for Vegan Meal, AVML for Asian Vegetarian Meal or GFML for Gluten Intolerant Meal. This means that not every airline will offer NFML as an option.
Who Is a NFML Airline Meal Suitable For?
A NFML meal may be useful for passengers who:
- Do not eat fish
- Dislike the taste or smell of fish
- Follow a diet that excludes fish
- Want to avoid fish-based airline meals
- Have been advised by their airline that NFML is the appropriate special meal request for their needs
If you simply prefer not to eat fish, an NFML meal can potentially make your in-flight meal more predictable. However, passengers with fish or seafood allergies should take additional precautions rather than relying on the NFML meal code alone. If you are travelling with allergies, a good place to start planning your next trip is my guide to travelling with an allergy.
Is a NFML Meal Suitable for a Fish Allergy?
You should not automatically assume that a NFML meal is allergy-safe. A No Fish Meal may be designed to exclude fish as an ingredient, but this does not necessarily mean that it has been prepared in an allergen-controlled environment. Cross-contact may occur during food preparation, storage, transportation or service.
There is also an important distinction between a fish allergy and a shellfish allergy. Fish and shellfish are different allergen groups, so a meal described as containing no fish could potentially still contain shellfish such as prawns, crab or lobster unless the airline specifically confirms otherwise. If you have a fish, shellfish or seafood allergy, contact the airline before travelling to explain your requirements. Ask what allergy procedures are available and whether the airline can provide information about ingredients and cross-contact risks.
Passengers with severe allergies may also want to carry suitable food from home where airport security and destination regulations allow. You may be entitled to travel with free medical luggage for your allergy.
What Food Is Served in an NFML Meal?
The exact contents of an NFML meal will depend on the airline, route, departure airport and catering company.
A typical No Fish Meal could include:
- Chicken with rice and vegetables
- Beef with potatoes or rice
- Pasta with a tomato or vegetable sauce
- A vegetarian curry
- Rice-based dishes
- Bread or a bread roll
- Salad
- Fruit
- Dessert
The meal may contain meat, dairy products, eggs, gluten, nuts or other allergens unless these are specifically excluded for another reason. A NFML airline meal should therefore not be treated as a vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free or allergy-free meal.
Does The NFML Meal Code Mean No Seafood?
Not necessarily. The term “fish” does not always include shellfish in allergen terminology. Depending on how the airline or catering provider defines its NFML meals, ingredients such as prawns, shrimp, crab, lobster or molluscs may not automatically be excluded.
If you need to avoid all seafood rather than fish alone, it is worth contacting the airline directly before your flight.
Ask whether its NFML meal excludes:
- Fish
- Crustaceans such as prawns, shrimp, crab and lobster
- Molluscs such as mussels, oysters and squid
- Fish sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Anchovies
- Fish stock
- Other fish or seafood-derived ingredients
This is particularly important with sauces, dressings and Asian-style dishes, where fish sauce, oyster sauce or seafood-based stocks may be used without the dish obviously appearing to contain fish.
How Do I Order a NFML Special Meal?
If your airline offers NFML special meals, you may be able to request it while booking your flight or through the Manage Booking section of the airline’s website or app.
Some airlines require special meals to be ordered at least 24 to 48 hours before departure, although deadlines vary.
If you cannot find NFML meal in the list of available special meals, contact the airline and ask whether a No Fish Meal can be requested. Because NFML airline meals are not offered by every airline, you may need to choose another meal that naturally excludes fish. A vegetarian or vegan meal, for example, should not contain fish, although you should still check the airline’s individual meal specifications if you have an allergy.
What Should I Do at the Airport?
Even if you have pre-ordered a NFML special meal, it is worth confirming your special meal request when you check in. You can also ask the cabin crew after boarding whether your special meal has been loaded onto the aircraft.
Special meal requests occasionally go missing or are unavailable due to last-minute aircraft changes, catering problems or booking changes. I always recommend carrying suitable snacks or backup food when you rely on a special diet, provided the food complies with airport security and destination customs rules.
NFML Meal vs Other Airline Meal Codes
The NFML meal code specifically refers to a No Fish Meal, but another special meal may be more suitable depending on why you are avoiding fish.
For example, a VGML or Vegan Meal should exclude fish and other animal products, while many vegetarian meal codes will also exclude fish.
However, passengers with allergies should not select a vegetarian or vegan meal and assume that it will automatically be safe from fish cross-contact. Dietary preference meal codes and allergy procedures are not the same thing.
Are NFML Meals Available on Every Airline?
No. A NFML meal is not one of the special meal options you will find on every airline. The availability of special meals depends on the airline, route, cabin class and catering arrangements. Some airlines may be able to accommodate a no-fish request without displaying the NFML meal code as a selectable option, while others may suggest choosing a vegetarian or vegan meal instead. Always check directly with your airline before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions About NFML
What does NFML stand for?
NFML stands for No Fish Meal. It is an airline special meal code used to request a meal that does not contain fish.
Does a NFML airline meal contain seafood?
Possibly. A No Fish Meal does not necessarily exclude shellfish or every seafood-derived ingredient. Check with your airline if you need to avoid all seafood.
Is the NFML meal safe for a fish allergy?
You should not assume that it is. A NFML meal indicates a no-fish dietary request but does not necessarily guarantee protection from allergen cross-contact.
Does a NFML airline meal contain meat?
It can. A NFML meal may contain chicken, beef or other meat. If you are vegetarian or vegan, choose the appropriate vegetarian or vegan special meal instead.
Can I order a NFML special meal on any airline?
No. NFML special meals are not available on every airline.
What can I order if my airline does not offer a NFML meal?
If your airline does not offer a No Fish Meal (NFML), you could consider requesting a vegetarian or vegan meal, as these should not contain fish. However, if you are avoiding fish because of an allergy, contact the airline directly to discuss your requirements, as vegetarian and vegan meals may still be prepared in environments where fish is handled.
The NFML airline meal, or No Fish Meal, can be a useful special meal option for travellers who prefer to avoid fish when flying. However, availability varies between airlines, and an NFML should not automatically be considered suitable for passengers with fish or seafood allergies due to potential cross-contact and differences between fish and shellfish allergens. If you need to avoid fish for medical reasons, contact your airline before travelling to discuss your requirements. For dietary preferences, ordering an NFML in advance and carrying a few backup snacks can help make mealtimes in the air a little more predictable.
Continue Learning About Airline Meal Codes
Airlines use a wide range of special meal codes for passengers with dietary, religious and medical requirements. If you are comparing your options, continue reading our guides to airline special meal codes to find out what each meal code means and which option may be most suitable for your next flight.
- Airline meal codes and what they mean
- What does CHML mean?
- What does HNML mean?
- What does VLML mean?
- What does DBML mean?
- What does LSML mean?
- What does SPML mean?
- Download and print a copy of all of the airline meal codes for your own reference
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
- Airport special assistance links for airports around the world
Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using My Guides
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