Air India allows passengers to pre-order a range of special meals, from vegan and diabetic-friendly options to Jain, child, and gluten-free meals. The process only takes a few minutes, but you need to do it before the airline's deadline.

Here's how to pre-order a meal on Air India flights and what you should know before making your selection.

Know when to request your meal

Timing is very important.

Air India generally requires special meal requests at least 24 hours before departure. Some meal types may require even more notice. For example, kosher meals are usually available only on select international routes and often need to be requested at least 72 hours before departure.

If you wait until airport check-in, your preferred meal may no longer be available.

Add your meal while booking your ticket

The easiest time to request a meal is during the booking process.

While completing your online flight booking, you'll usually find meal preferences under the passenger details section. Select the option that suits your dietary needs before making payment.

Many travellers focus on the fare, baggage allowance, and seat selection, but skip this step. If you know you'll need a specific meal, it's best to select it while making your flight ticket booking.

Update meal preferences after booking

Already booked your Air India flights?

You can still add or change your meal preference through the airline's Manage Booking section.

Simply open your booking, access your passenger details, and select your preferred meal. The airline allows meal requests on most eligible bookings as long as you make the change before the required deadline.

If you've booked through a travel agent, you can also ask them to submit the request on your behalf.

Choose the meal that suits your needs

Air India offers more options than many travellers realise.

Some of the most commonly requested meals include:

●       Vegetarian meal

●       Non-vegetarian meal

●       Vegan meal

●       Jain meal

●       Child meal

●       Baby meal

●       Diabetic meal

●       Gluten-free meal

●       Low-fat meal

●       Low-salt meal

●       Muslim meal

For example, if you're taking a Lucknow to Delhi flight after a religious event or family gathering and follow a specific diet, selecting your meal in advance can make the journey much more comfortable.

Travelling with children? Order their meal in advance

Parents often spend a lot of time planning the trip and very little time thinking about the meal on board.

Air India offers child meals for children between 2 and 12 years old and baby meals for infants. Ordering in advance gives you a better chance of receiving food that suits your child's needs rather than relying on standard meal availability.

If you're travelling during school holidays or festival periods, it's a simple step that can make the flight easier for everyone.

Check your booking before travel

Don't assume your request has been processed.

A day or two before departure, open your booking and confirm that your meal selection appears correctly. It's also a good time to review your:

●       Flight schedule

●       Flight status

●       Flight PNR status

●       Seat selection

A quick check helps you catch any issues while there's still time to fix them.

Complete web check-in before your flight

Once your travel plans are finalised, complete web check in when it opens.

You'll be able to download your boarding pass, review your booking details, and confirm that everything looks correct before heading to the airport.

If you're travelling internationally, remember that international flight check in time recommendations are usually different from domestic routes. Arriving early gives you enough time for document checks and security procedures.

Don't forget the basics

Meal selection is only one part of preparing for a flight.

Before travelling, review the airline's Baggage Rules, check whether you need Extra Baggage, and take a quick look at the live flight status before leaving for the airport.

Most travel-day problems aren't caused by the flight itself. They're usually caused by small details travellers forget to check beforehand.

Final thoughts

Pre-ordering a meal on Air India is straightforward, but it's something you should do early. Once you've booked your ticket, take a few minutes to review the available meal options and choose one that suits your preferences or dietary requirements.

A small step before departure can make your onboard experience much more comfortable, especially on longer journeys.