How do I book a Korean Air flight with a special meal
Add a Korean Air special meal — get fast booking help now: +1 (888) 217-2892 (24/7). – (order 24 hours ahead)
How Do I Book a Korean Air Flight With a Special Meal? Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher & Dietary Options (2026 Guide)
Updated June 2026 · By the Airline Travel Desk Team — in-flight dining & special services specialists
Vegetarian, halal, kosher, diabetic, child or infant meal? Order at least 24 hours ahead — or get fast help at +1 (888) 217-2892 (24/7).
| ☎ Need a special meal added to your booking? Call +1 (888) 217-2892 — 24/7 booking help.
Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, diabetic, gluten-intolerant, child and infant meals — request at least 24 hours before departure. |
Quick answer
To book a Korean Air flight with a special meal, add your meal request at least 24 hours before departure using Manage Booking on koreanair.com, the Korean Air app, by phone, or through your travel agent. Korean Air offers 20+ options including vegetarian, vegan, halal (Muslim meal), kosher, child, infant, diabetic, low-salt, and gluten-intolerant meals. For fast help adding a special meal, call +1 (888) 217-2892 (24/7). Korean Air’s official line 1-800-438-5000 handles flight status, refunds, baggage, and check-in.
What is a Korean Air special meal?
A special meal is a pre-ordered in-flight meal matched to a specific dietary, medical, religious, age-related, or lifestyle need — instead of the standard menu. They’re most commonly available on international and long-haul routes with full meal service, including flights through Korean Air’s hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN). Korean Air is renowned for its in-flight dining (its signature bibimbap is a highlight) and offers a broad special-meal program across Economy, Prestige Class, and First.
The 24-hour deadline: the single most important rule
Korean Air requires special meal requests to be submitted at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. Airlines load catering from passenger manifests finalized about a day before the flight, which is why the cutoff is firm.
- Standard deadline: at least 24 hours before departure (the same window applies to changing or cancelling a special meal).
- Best practice: request your meal at the time of booking.
- Premium pre-order / à la carte dining in First or Prestige on select routes may need a longer lead time.
- After the deadline: special meals generally can’t be added, changed, or guaranteed.
Time zones matter — the 24-hour deadline is based on your departure airport’s local time. On connecting trips, you may need to request a special meal for each flight segment separately.
How to request a Korean Air special meal, step by step
Option 1 — Online via Manage Booking (koreanair.com)
Open Manage Booking / My Trips, enter your booking reference and last name, select your reservation, open Special Services or the in-flight meal section, choose your meal type, then save and confirm it appears in your itinerary.
Option 2 — Korean Air mobile app
Sign in, open your trip under My Trips, select the special meal option under additional services, choose your meal, and confirm.
Option 3 — By phone
Helpful if you have allergies, a complex itinerary, multiple passengers, or questions. Call +1 (888) 217-2892 for fast booking help, or Korean Air directly at 1-800-438-5000.
Option 4 — Through your travel agent
If you booked through an agent or third-party site, ask them to add the special meal, since Korean Air may have limited access to modify third-party bookings.
After requesting, reconfirm your meal 24–72 hours before departure — especially after any schedule change, rebooking, or aircraft swap, which can drop a meal request.
| Not sure your meal saved — or close to the deadline? Call +1 (888) 217-2892 to confirm fast (24/7). |
Korean Air special meal types & codes (2026)
Korean Air offers 20+ special meals. Availability varies by route, flight length, cabin, and departure city — confirm options for your specific flight. Common categories and IATA codes:
Infant & child meals
| Meal | Code | Description |
| Baby Meal | BBML | Baby food/formula-style items for infants under 2 |
| Child Meal | CHML | Kid-friendly meal for young children |
Vegetarian & plant-based meals
| Meal | Code | Description |
| Vegetarian Vegan | VGML | No animal products (no meat, dairy, or egg) |
| Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo | VLML | No meat/fish; may include dairy and eggs |
| Vegetarian Indian | AVML | Indian-style vegetarian |
| Vegetarian Oriental | VOML | Asian-style vegetarian |
| Vegetarian Jain | VJML | Jain vegetarian (no roots, onion, or garlic) |
| Raw Vegetarian | RVML | Raw fruits and vegetables |
Religious meals
| Meal | Code | Description |
| Muslim Meal | MOML | Prepared without pork or alcohol (halal-style) |
| Kosher Meal | KSML | Prepared per Jewish dietary law, typically sealed |
| Hindu (Non-Veg) Meal | HNML | Indian-style; no beef, veal, or pork |
Medical & dietary meals
| Meal | Code | Description |
| Diabetic Meal | DBML | Controlled sugar and carbohydrates |
| Low Fat Meal | LFML | Low fat / low cholesterol |
| Low Salt Meal | LSML | Reduced sodium |
| Gluten Intolerant Meal | GFML | Prepared without gluten/wheat |
| Bland Meal | BLML | Easy to digest, mild |
| Low Lactose Meal | NLML | Reduced lactose |
| Low Calorie Meal | LCML | Calorie-controlled |
Premium cabins also offer pre-order/à la carte dining on select long-haul routes (sometimes via a mileage pre-order to reserve popular entrées). Even in First and Prestige, dietary, medical, and religious meals must be requested in advance.
What to have ready when you request a special meal
- Your booking reference (PNR) and passenger last name
- Flight details, including each segment for connecting trips
- The specific meal type — and code if known (e.g., VGML, MOML, KSML)
- Any allergy details
- Your SKYPASS number, if you’re a member
Allergies: important limitations
Korean Air offers meals designed around certain needs (such as gluten-intolerant, GFML), but generally cannot guarantee an allergen-free meal or an allergen-free cabin — cross-contact and trace allergens may be present. If you have a serious allergy: notify Korean Air as early as possible, bring your own safe snacks, carry any required medication (such as epinephrine) in your carry-on, and tell the cabin crew when you board.
Korean Air–Asiana merger: what it means for meals in 2026
Korean Air and Asiana are integrating, with full integration targeted for December 17, 2026, after which Asiana operations move under the Korean Air brand. For Korean Air-operated and Korean Air-coded flights, Korean Air’s special-meal program and 24-hour deadline apply. On any Asiana-operated segment during the transition, confirm whether Asiana or Korean Air meal rules apply. The combined airline reinforces Korean Air’s role as a major SkyTeam carrier hubbed at ICN.
Tips for a smooth special-meal experience
- Order early — at booking is ideal; 24 hours before departure is the firm deadline.
- Request for each segment — connecting flights may need separate requests.
- Reconfirm 24–72 hours out, especially after any schedule change.
- Check your itinerary — the special meal should appear under special services.
- Remind the crew — mention your special meal to the flight attendant after boarding.
- Carry a backup — bring safe snacks for strict dietary needs or allergies.
Frequently asked questions (People Also Ask)
How do I add a special meal to my Korean Air flight?
Open Manage Booking on koreanair.com or the app, select your reservation, choose the special meal option under special services, pick your meal type, and confirm at least 24 hours before departure. Or call +1 (888) 217-2892 (24/7).
What is the deadline for Korean Air special meals?
At least 24 hours before scheduled departure. Some premium pre-order meals need more lead time, and requests after the deadline can’t be guaranteed.
Does Korean Air offer vegetarian and vegan meals?
Yes — options include vegan (VGML), lacto-ovo vegetarian (VLML), Indian vegetarian (AVML), Oriental vegetarian (VOML), Jain (VJML), and raw vegetarian (RVML).
Does Korean Air offer halal or Muslim meals?
Yes — the Muslim Meal (MOML) is prepared without pork or alcohol. Request it at least 24 hours before departure.
Does Korean Air offer kosher meals?
Yes — the Kosher Meal (KSML) is prepared according to Jewish dietary law and is typically served sealed. Order at least 24 hours ahead.
Are Korean Air special meals free?
Standard special meals are complimentary. Some premium à la carte or pre-order options in First or Prestige may involve advance ordering or additional terms.
Can I request a child or infant meal?
Yes — a Child Meal (CHML) for young children and a Baby Meal (BBML) for infants. Request at least 24 hours in advance.
What happens if I miss the 24-hour deadline?
You can ask at the airport or onboard, but availability isn’t guaranteed. You may be able to choose a suitable item from the standard menu instead.
Will my special meal carry over if my flight changes?
Not always. Schedule changes, rebookings, or aircraft swaps can drop a meal request, so reconfirm after any change.
What is Korean Air’s official U.S. customer service number?
Korean Air’s official U.S. number is 1-800-438-5000 for flight status, refunds, baggage, and check-in.
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| ☎ Add your Korean Air special meal now — call +1 (888) 217-2892 (24/7 booking help).
For flight status, refunds, baggage, and check-in, Korean Air’s official line is 1-800-438-5000. |
Disclosure: +1 (888) 217-2892 is an independent travel-booking and reservations help desk that assists travelers by phone; it is not Korean Air’s official corporate number. Korean Air’s official U.S. customer-service number is 1-800-438-5000. Special meal availability, codes, and policies can change and vary by route, cabin, aircraft, and departure city — confirm current options with the agent or at koreanair.com before travel.