Onboard

Meals

 

  • Unfortunately SAA cannot accommodate requests to suit individual passenger tastes. Only passengers with very specific medical dietary requirements can request a special meal (SPML) which will be individually prepared.

  • Meal requests must be made at least 24hrs prior to departure, except kosher meals which need to be requested at least 48hrs in advance of travel.

  • SAA no longer cater for the following - HFML LPML PRML ORML MBML TDML

Below is a list of the meals most frequently requested on South African Airways:

DIETARY MEALS

BLML

BLAND MEAL

Bland diet applied for the following diseases: chronic peptic ulcer disease or stomach/intestinal problems, after diseases of the stomach, bowel, liver, gall and after gastric surgery. Also used as a "light" meal in case of gastric problems.

DBML

DIABETIC MEAL

Diabetic diet applied for the following diseases: diabetic mellitus and glucose intolerance.

GFML

GLUTEN-FREE MEAL

Gluten free diet applied for the following diseases: gluten-sensitive enteropathy, allergy to wheat, dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac disease.

LCML

LOW CALORIE MEAL

Low calorie diet applied for the follow diseases: obesity

LFML

LOW FAT MEAL

Low fat diet applied for the following diseases: cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, hypercholestremia, hupercholesterolaemia, high triglycerides, fatty liver, increased risk of coronary heart disease or stroke.

LSML

LOW SODIUM MEAL

Low Sodium diet applied for the following diseases: hypertension, high blood pressure, impaired liver function, liver disease, renal disease, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.

NLML

NON LACTOSE MEAL

No lactose diet applied for the following disease: lactose intolerance.

VEGETARIAN MEALS

AVML

ASIAN VEGETARIAN MEAL

Asian Vegetarian meal excludes all meat and met products, fish poultry or products with lard , gelatin, meat stock and gravy. The meals are spicy (Indian style)

VGML

VEGAN VEGETARIAN MEAL

Vegan Vegetarian meal is strict or rigid vegetarians, no food or animal origin is permitted, and also items such as milk, milk products, gelatin or gravy.

VLML

LACTO-OVO VEGETARIAN MEAL

Lacto-ovo Vegetarian meal eats no meat, poultry, fish or shellfish or products derived from them. Eggs, diary products and plant-derived foods are authorized.

FPML

FRUIT PLATTER

Fresh, cooked or canned whole or cut and dried fruit to provide some variety.

ETHNIC MEALS

HNML

HINDU

Non-vegetarian. Refrain from eating beef, pork or veal.

KSML

KOSHER

Meals are cooked under the rabbinical supervision, wrapped and sealed accordingly.

MOML

MOSLEM

Omit pork, venison and alcohol. The animals are slaughtered according to Halal rites. The usage of blood and cooking fats are animal origin is allowed.

*In certain countries, some Ethnic meals are not available for religious reasons.

CHILDREN MEALS

BBML

BABY MEAL

Baby meals are available for children up to two years of age. These are generally off-the-shelf pasteurized baby food and include strained fruit, vegetables, meat, desserts and juices.

CHML

CHILD MEAL

Child meals are generally from two to six years old.

OTHER MEALS

SPML

SPECIAL MEAL

For very specific medical cases, i.g nut allergy.

Use the entry: SRSPML - ALLERGIC TO NUTS

SFML

SEAFOOD MEAL

Seafood meal is made of lean fish such as sole, trout, hake kabeljou or haddock to name a few.

Nut allergy / Nut free flights

South African Airways are unable to provide a completely nut free flight. SAA cannot stop other passengers from bringing food on board that may contain traces of nuts and the particles may get into the air conditioning system. Additionally, the catering company may handle nuts in the same environment and therefore are unable to guarantee there would be no trace of nuts in the meal.

It is still possible to request a "no nuts" meal as a special meal (SPML-ALLERGIC TO NUTS), however it must be directed to our medical department in Johannesburg in order to be confirmed. Any relevant information must go in the OS, e.g. OS SA MEDA AWARE MUST CARRY MEDICATION IN HAND BAGGAGE

A passenger with a nut allergy must be treated as a medical case and booked as such. A doctor’s letter must be provided stating the following:

  • The degree of the allergy.
  • Whether the passenger could have an allergic reaction through breathing the air on board (e.g. airborne dust)
  • What medication does the passenger take to control a possible allergic reaction?
  • Any other information the doctor may consider relevant.
  • If syringes are used for medication the passenger will need a letter from their medical practitioner stating that syringes are carried for the use of the passenger due to their condition. This will help the passenger through security procedures. 

Group seating

Typically we will request group seating as a block once a booking has been confirmed. However, if you wish to seat the group individually, please let our Groups team know so they can release the block and you will be able to book individual seat numbers via your GDS.

Seat Selection

Should they request it, customer seating can be booked in advance. For Saver (G, W and L) and Plus (V, T, Q, S, and H) fares for domestic flights, and passengers booked in the Saver fares (G, W, and L) for international flights a fee applies.

Passengers not opting to select this new benefit will be able to select those seats still available, free of charge, once check-in opens (i.e. 24 hours before departure) or at one of our check-in counters at the airport.

Find Out More

 

Seating Plans

View the seating plans onboard our longhaul aircraft.

E-cigarettes

Passengers are allowed to travel with e-cigarettes in their cabin luggage. However, they are not permitted to be smoked on board the aircraft for the comfort and safety of other passengers.