I got an email from my friend Chirag recently. He was really impressed that he could get a Jain meal on the flight. Check out the discussion that was sparked from this info: -
Hi all,
I’m travelling on Air New Zealand soon and took the opportunity to look at their meal options:
I spotted VJML – Jain Vegetarian Meal. Nice to see airlines catering for us!
VJML
Vegetarian Jain
Vegetarian foods prepared Indian style according to Jain customs
Please advise your contacts that they now have the option of ordering Jain food on planes – they should ask their carrier the next time they fly.
Regards,
Chirag.
Harshad replied to the forwarded email with a surprising response: -
Dear Heena,
Jain Meals have been offered by many international airlines over many years. The IATA code for Jain Meal used to be JNML.
For reasons not known, many airlines withdrew this service and the JNML code was removed.
Many airlines, including BA, Thai, Mauritius, Quantas, ANZ, etc., have or are in the process of reintroducing Jain Meal on their flights.
Jains who are observers should enquire and book a JAIN meal.
Let us strive to put JAINISM on the world map in a stronger colour!
Mansukh then replied: -
Dear Heena,
I am delighted that even Airlines are taking on board and complying with the Jain dietary needs on long haul flights that cross the International Date Line. Despite the fact that we are but a tiny minority on the world stage our needs are recognised and catered for. In the midst of all around bad news this is something that is positive and helpful to us all.
Uncs.
Have you found out anything about meal provision on flights?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
In my travels, I am finding that vegan meals are becoming more and more prevalent.
Nice to see isn’t it?
Yet I still hear people say it’s too inconvenient, eating out must be a trauma and so on and so forth
It is nice to know that lot of airlines are now providing Jain Vegetarian Meal which identifies as Jain Customs or Religious Meals. Some airlines only offer Jain Meals to and fro India. The meals have to be booked 24 – 48 hours before you fly. I have checked few airlines that offer Jain Meal:
British Arways
Virgin Atlantic
Air New Zealand
Emirates Airlines
Cathay Pacific Airlines
Thai Airways
Air India offers Gujarati Meal [never heard of that before]
Wow! The all offer Jain meals? That’s excellent!
Thanks Reeta