The Best & Worst Airlines for Vegan Food

Did you know that 35,000 feet above the ground, some airlines are creating vegan masterpieces that rival high-end restaurants?

Gone are the days when plant-based passengers had to survive on plain salads and fruit cups during long flights. The skies are changing, and vegan dining is soaring to new heights!

As travellers increasingly demand quality vegan options, airlines are stepping up to provide gourmet meals that transform the in-flight dining experience.

Whether you’re a committed vegan or just curious about plant-based options, choosing the right airline can make your journey both tasty and memorable.

Let’s explore which carriers are excelling in vegan cuisine and which might leave you wishing you’d packed your own snacks.

5 Best Airlines for Vegan Food

Here are some of the top airlines for vegan dining, with signature dishes and pro tips for making the most of your meal in the sky.

1. Emirates

Emirates is leading the aviation industry’s vegan revolution, embracing innovation with nut-based cheese alternatives, plant-based entrées, and even some lab-grown food options on select flights. Their commitment to sustainability and quality has set a new standard for in-flight dining.

Whether you’re flying economy or first class, you’ll enjoy the same high-quality vegan options. Emirates also excels in meal consistency, ensuring a satisfying experience no matter your departure location.

Signature Dish: Look out for options like saffron-spiced couscous with fresh vegetables – a favourite among plant-based travellers. Emirates has also recently introduced jackfruit-based dishes and vegetable-stuffed pastries, adding even more variety to its vegan lineup.

Pro Tip: Pre-order your vegan meal at least 48 hours in advance, especially if you’re flying from a less-serviced airport. Emirates also offers vegan options in their lounges, so if you’re travelling through Dubai International Airport, you can start your journey with a quality vegan meal on the ground.

2. Finnair

Finnair has mastered the art of vegan cuisine at altitude. Their carefully crafted menu includes thoughtfully prepared main courses and impressive desserts that prove plant-based dining can be both nutritious and indulgent.

Finnair’s focus on quality ingredients and balanced flavours makes vegan meals enjoyable for all passengers, regardless of dietary preferences.

Signature Dish: Vegan “beef” and rice bowls, and indulgent chocolate mousse desserts. Finnair also introduced a plant-based blueberry pie that’s become a go-to dessert for vegans and non-vegans!

Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on Finnair’s dessert options – always a crowd-pleaser for vegan travellers! You can also enjoy vegan-friendly snacks in their Helsinki Airport lounge before boarding.

3. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways stands out for its consistency and quality in vegan meal service. While some airlines struggle with special dietary requirements, Qatar Airways delivers creative and flavourful plant-based dishes across various routes.

Known for experimenting with plant-based meats and seafood, Qatar is keeping up with vegan dining trends.

Signature Dish: Mushroom risotto and tasty curries. The airline also recently introduced vegan sushi rolls on selected long-haul flights.

Pro Tip: For longer flights, choose business class if possible to access additional vegan menu options. Qatar offers customisations like low-oil or low-salt meal choices, which health-conscious vegans may find valuable.

4. Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines elevates the in-flight dining experience with their ‘Book The Cook’ service, allowing passengers to pre-order from an extensive selection of gourmet meals, including vegan dishes.

Their commitment to quality and variety extends to vegan meals, offering tofu stir-fries, hearty salads, and vegetable dumplings.

Signature Dish: Tofu stir-fries and hearty, nutrient-dense salads are standout vegan options. Singapore Airlines has also introduced a chickpea-based curry that’s received praise for its rich flavours and satisfying texture.

Pro Tip: Book well ahead of time for “Book the Cook” meals. Space is limited, and these vegan options are highly popular. Certain routes offer vegan lounge options, so ask in advance if you’re travelling through Singapore’s Changi Airport.

5. Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic combines sustainability with vegan-friendly options, partnering with Beyond Meat to bring the popular Beyond Burger to the skies. This partnership aligns with their environmental initiatives, which prioritise reducing food waste and lowering carbon emissions.

Signature Dish: The Beyond Burger, available on most routes, is a hit among vegan and non-vegan travellers. Virgin Atlantic has also added plant-based snacks like hummus wraps and nut-based granola bars.

Pro Tip: This partnership with Beyond Meat is available across many routes but still requires pre-ordering to ensure availability. Virgin’s airport lounges often have vegan items too, a plus for premium travellers.

4 Airlines with Notable but Variable Vegan Options

While some airlines consistently deliver outstanding vegan meals, others provide decent plant-based options but might leave you wondering what to expect on your next flight.

Let’s explore these mixed-bag carriers offering vegan airline food!

1. Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways does offer notable vegan meal options, especially in business class, where dishes can include well-prepared, flavourful meals like Dal Makhani with rice, buckwheat salads, and basil pesto pasta.

Some passengers highlight the freshness and quality of vegan options, particularly when they can supplement with mezze items from the general menu, like hummus, tabbouleh, and grape leaves​.​

However, the consistency of vegan meal quality varies by flight route and crew; some passengers report excellent meals, while others find the options less fulfilling.

While Etihad does not provide onboard chefs for custom meals, their vegan dishes are thoughtfully crafted, especially on long-haul routes.

Pro Tip: Pre-order your vegan meal at least 24 hours before your flight to ensure availability, as vegan options must be confirmed in advance.

Etihad’s flagship lounges, particularly in Abu Dhabi, typically have some vegan-friendly options, although offerings can be basic, so it’s worth double-checking or supplementing with your own snacks if needed​​

2. American Airlines

American Airlines has recently expanded its offerings for vegan passengers, particularly on long-haul international flights.

While vegan meals like quinoa bowls with vegetables and simple salads are available, reviews indicate that the quality and consistency can vary. Some travellers describe the meals as plain and lacking flavour, while others find them adequate for a basic in-flight vegan option​

Snacks such as Biscoff cookies and pretzels are often vegan-friendly on most flights, and those in premium cabins might find additional vegan snack choices in the galley.

They’ve also introduced vegan-friendly oat milk creamer, providing a more inclusive coffee experience onboard​

Pro Tip: Pre-order your vegan meal at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability, as American’s vegan options must be reserved prior to the flight.

Since the portions may be modest, it’s also a good idea to pack extra snacks, especially for long-haul trips. Apps like HappyCow can be helpful for locating vegan-friendly dining options at layover airports.

3. Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss International Air Lines is another carrier that shows promise with its vegan menu. They collaborate with Hiltl, a renowned vegetarian restaurant, to provide high-quality vegetarian and vegan meals on long-haul flights.

This partnership results in well-crafted vegan options that many passengers find enjoyable. However, reviews confirm that the quality and appeal of these meals can vary based on flight route and crew execution.

Some passengers appreciate the thoughtful plant-based offerings, like vegan bulgur salads or pasta dishes, while others feel the choices could use more variety and flavour enhancement​

On European routes, vegan options can be more limited as they follow a buy-on-board menu, where passengers may pre-order vegan options like muesli or salad for an additional fee.

Pro Tip: As with many airlines, confirming your vegan meal directly with the crew and double-checking ingredients is recommended to avoid any accidental inclusions of non-vegan items.

4. Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has joined the ranks of airlines offering vegan meals, especially on long-haul and premium routes. Passengers can pre-order a vegan (VGML) meal for select international and some domestic flights by requesting it at least 24 hours in advance.

The VGML meal options vary but may include plant-based dishes like vegan chilli, pasta, or regional specialities on certain routes. However, the availability and quality of vegan meals can be inconsistent, especially on short-haul flights and in economy class​.

In premium cabins, Delta has introduced innovative plant-based dishes such as Impossible Burgers and other plant-based proteins on flights over 900 miles. Vegan-friendly snacks like Lotus Biscoff cookies and almonds are also available on most flights, along with oat milk creamer as a non-dairy coffee option.

Pro Tip: Confirm your vegan meal request during booking, as Delta’s vegan options differ by route and availability. For layovers or flights with limited meal service, a quick check on HappyCow can help you locate vegan-friendly dining options at major U.S. airports.

4 Airlines with Limited or Inconsistent Vegan Food Options

Some airlines might leave you reaching for your emergency snack stash. Let’s explore which carriers could use some improvement in their plant-based offerings.

1. Royal Air Maroc

Royal Air Maroc offers vegan meal options on request, but passenger reviews highlight some inconsistency in quality.

Dinner options may include flavourful Moroccan-inspired dishes, but breakfast is often limited to basic offerings such as plain bread and fruit. While dinner menus occasionally offer enjoyable plant-based choices, the overall experience can vary, particularly in economy class.

Pro Tip: Packing extra snacks is recommended, especially for long-haul flights where meal selection and quality can be unpredictable. Be sure to pre-order your vegan meal at least 48 hours in advance, and confirm with the crew upon boarding to ensure your request is accommodated​.

2. Ryanair

Budget carrier Ryanair’s vegan options are minimal but include a notable offering: a vegan lasagne, available on all European flights. This plant-based lasagne, introduced in partnership with PETA, features a dairy-free cheese topping.

Beyond this hot meal option, vegan choices are generally limited to standard snacks, such as crisps and nuts.

Pro Tip: Ryanair does not allow pre-ordering for special meals, so it’s best to bring your own snacks or meals if you want more variety or assurance of availability. With limited options and no pre-order system, advanced planning is essential for vegan travellers on Ryanair.

3. Air France

Air France offers a vegan meal option (VGML), but travellers should carefully distinguish it from the vegetarian lacto-ovo meal (VLML), which may include dairy or eggs.

Selecting the vegan meal during booking is essential, as the distinction between these options can be unclear, and occasional mislabeling may occur onboard.

You’ll find dishes like bulgur salads, lentil gratin, and fresh sides, but some desserts may still require verification with the crew to ensure they’re dairy-free​.

Pro Tip: Confirm your vegan meal request at least 24-48 hours in advance, and consider bringing a few backup snacks for peace of mind, especially on routes with varied menu reliability.

4. British Airways

British Airways provides vegan meal options, but only with mandatory pre-ordering. Without pre-ordering a VGML (Vegan Meal) in advance, vegan passengers may find their choices limited to basic snacks onboard.

Pre-ordered meals are adequate, though reviews suggest they are generally simple and lack variety compared to other airlines’ offerings​

Pro Tip: Confirm your vegan meal request at least 24 hours before departure to ensure availability, and consider bringing extra snacks for additional variety and convenience.

Pricing and Availability

Curious about the cost of those vegan meals? Here’s the good news: most airlines include special meal requests at no additional charge, so enjoying plant-based cuisine in the sky doesn’t inflate your ticket price.

Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways all offer high-quality vegan meals across all cabin classes at no extra charge.

Middle Eastern and Asian carriers consistently receive praise for their reliable vegan meal services, while European and American airlines show more variability in quality and availability.

Budget airlines can be less accommodating, sometimes offering only vegan snacks for purchase or charging extra for special dietary requirements. Long-haul flights also generally provide better vegan options than short-haul routes.

Pro Tip: Seasoned travellers recommend booking vegan meals when purchasing tickets. This helps ensure preparation time and secures your spot in the meal allocation process. Always verify options through the airline’s website or customer service to avoid relying on limited inflight snacks.

Tips for Finding the Best Airlines for Vegan Food

Planning ahead makes all the difference when it comes to enjoying vegan meals in the sky! Here’s what you need to know to make your journey as smooth as possible.

• Always pre-order your vegan meal at least 24-48 hours before your flight. Even if you’re flying with airlines known for great vegan options, booking early ensures you get a proper meal.
• Double-check with the crew that your meal is vegan, not just vegetarian. Small mix-ups happen, and meals may occasionally contain unexpected dairy or eggs. Check all meal components, as even bread rolls or desserts might not be vegan-friendly.
• Keep a few snacks on hand especially for long-haul flights with inconsistent meal options. A small bag of nuts, dried fruit, or energy bars can be a lifesaver at 35,000 feet.
• Confirm meal availability on shorter flights or with budget carriers. If options are limited, plan to bring your own food to ensure a satisfying experience.

The Bottom Line

In-flight vegan dining has come a long way, and with careful planning, vegan travellers can enjoy satisfying meals in the sky.

While some carriers still have room for improvement, the overall trend is promising for vegan travellers.

Leading airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways are setting new standards with their high-quality, innovative vegan meals.

Remember to pre-order your meals, double-check ingredients, and pack a few snacks as backups.

With these strategies, vegan travellers can enjoy not just a smooth flight but also delicious dining at 35,000 feet!

Happy (and tasty) travels!