Airlines and halal meals: what to check before you fly

Two kinds of airline policy

Airlines tend to handle halal food in one of two ways. Some state that everything served on board is prepared to halal standards, so nobody needs to request anything. Others offer a halal or Muslim meal as a special meal that must be ordered ahead.

The difference matters because a passenger who assumes the first policy while flying with an airline that follows the second may find nothing suitable on the trolley. Read the airline's own special meals page for your exact flight.

Some airlines also publish a list of meal codes, so it is worth learning the exact name used for the halal option when you open the booking page.

An example of an airline-wide halal policy

Etihad Airways states on its special meals page that all food served on board is prepared to Halal standards and that Muslim passengers do not need to request a halal meal in advance. Other special meals, such as vegetarian or dietary options, can be ordered separately.

Etihad also notes that special meals must be requested at least 24 hours before departure and are available on Etihad-operated flights only, not on partner airline segments. That second point is easy to miss on itineraries that combine several carriers.

Ordering a special meal

On many airlines the process runs through the booking-management page. Royal Air Maroc, for instance, explains that special meals are ordered through Manage my booking up to 48 hours before departure and only on flights it operates itself.

That page does not mention halal meals by name, so ask the airline which option corresponds to a halal meal on your route. Keep the confirmation, and check again a day before departure.

• Order as early as the booking system allows.
• Re-check the request after any change of flight.
• Ask which segments are covered when several airlines are involved.

Codeshares, partners and short flights

A ticket sold by one airline may be flown by another. The meal policy that applies is that of the operating airline, so look at who actually runs each leg.

On short flights, food may be a snack or a paid buy-on-board service, with no special meals at all. For those routes, carry your own sandwiches or fruit, checking what the destination country allows through customs.

If the connection is short, a missed meal on the first leg can leave a long gap before the next service, so keep snacks in your hand luggage rather than in the hold.

Prayer and stopovers

Long journeys often cross prayer times, and a stopover gives a chance to pray calmly. Changi Airport in Singapore lists transit prayer rooms in Terminals 1 to 4, open around the clock, with ablution areas and qibla signage, and open to passengers of all faiths.

Istanbul Airport, a major hub, provides an official website and a 24/7 call centre for passenger questions about airport facilities, which you can use to ask about prayer and food on the day of travel.

Praying on board

Many travellers pray seated when the flight crosses a prayer time, as the space and movement of an aircraft rarely permit standing. Common practice allows adapting posture when necessary, but opinions differ, so ask your own scholar how to proceed.

Check prayer times for your route before departure, as sunrise and sunset move quickly as the plane travels east or west. A prayer-time app that works offline helps when there is no signal.

Choosing a route

Direct flights reduce the number of meal and prayer decisions. When a connection is necessary, pick a layover that is long enough for a proper meal and prayer but not so long that it becomes tiring, and choose a hub with known prayer facilities.

Check whether the layover airport is in the same terminal and whether you will need to clear immigration, as this changes how much time you really have.

Time of day also matters. A night flight may serve one meal shortly after take-off and a light breakfast before landing, so plan your suhoor or fasting day accordingly during Ramadan.

What to carry

Pack dates, nuts and a refillable water bottle for delays. A light scarf or shawl, a compact prayer mat and a small compass or offline qibla app take almost no space.

If you have children or older relatives, bring familiar snacks as well, since special meals are sometimes served late or may run out on very full flights.

Finally, keep a note of the airline's customer service number in case a requested meal does not appear. Flight attendants can sometimes find an alternative if you explain politely and early.