American Airlines Is Expanding Its Special Meals Options

American Airlines is beefing up its culinary options. Beginning next month, the carrier will offer passengers more choices with regard to its special meal program.

Currently, AA offers passengers the following selections when it comes to special meals: diabetic, gluten intolerant, Kosher, Muslim and vegan. However, as of July 1, 2017, American will expand its special meal program to include the following (American hasn't published the new options online yet, so descriptions are from British Airways on AA's site):

• Hindu meal — Does not contain beef, beef derivatives, veal or pork. It is not a meatless meal.
• Asian vegetarian meal — Does not contain fish, shellfish, meat, poultry or eggs. It is a meatless meal and spicy in content.
• Low fat/low cholesterol meal — High fiber meal with reduced amounts of fat.
• Lacto-ovo meal — Does not contain meat, fish or seafood. May contain dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese and eggs, etc.
• Low sodium meal — Excludes use of salt, MSG and baking soda/powder. Instead, herbs and spices are used to flavor the meal.
• Non-lactose meal — Excludes cheese, dairy products and their derivatives and lactose or milk products.
• Baby's meal — Baby food and baby milk.
• Child's — Contains a combination of familiar and fun foods.
• Bland meal — For those with digestive tract and gut disorders. Excludes mustard, pickles, garlic, fried and fatty food.

If you're interested in ordering a special meal, you can order 24 hours in advance of your departure time. However, only select customers have access to the new menu. First and business-class passengers on the following nonstop routes will have access to the new special meals:

• New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO)
• Miami (MIA) to LAX
• All Hawaii and domestic long-haul flights more than 2,200 miles

In addition, all passengers — regardless of class of service — will have access to the special meals when traveling to or from any of the following destinations:

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• Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
• Belo Horizonte (CNF), Brasilia (BSB), Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Sao Paulo (GRU) in Brazil
• Buenos Aires (EZE) in Argentina
• Santiago (SCL) in Chile
• Montevideo (MVD) in Uruguay

We like seeing AA provide more option for passengers with dietary restrictions. Earlier this year, the carrier also announced it would be adding free meals to economy passengers on some domestic flights. Keep in mind that these new options won't be available until July 1, 2017. If you want to order one of the new meals, be sure to request your meal in advance of the flight to ensure what you want is available.