Akosher airline meal is anairline meal that conforms to the standards ofkashrut. Manyairlines offer the option of kosher meals to passengers if ordered in advance. These not only contain food that iskosher, but also other features to aidobservant Jews, such as copies ofTefilat HaDerech (the Traveler's Prayer) andprayers that are recited before and after eating and bread on which themezonot blessing is recited, thereby enabling observant Jews to consume the bread withoutwashing hands.
"Kosher" is one of several options for special meals offered to air travelers.[1] Similarly styled meals that are packaged in double wrapping withverifiable kashrut certification are offered in a variety of other settings, such ascruise ships,hospitals, orcatered events.[2] The double wrapping allows for the meals to be heated in a non-kosher oven.[3]
On airlines, kosher meals are the most commonly requested special meal.[4] Kosher meals have become popular even among non-Jewish passengers who perceive kosher foods to be cleaner and healthier. As they cost approximately twice as much as standard meals, airlines may charge more for them.[5]
Kosher airline meals started appearing as an option in the 1960s for Orthodox Jewish travelers.[6]
Airlines have sometimes been subject to criticism due to their failure to provide kosher meals.American Airlines was finedR$16,000 by aBrazilian court in January 2022 for failing to serve kosher meals on several flights.[7]Air France provided a family with a meal which was labeled as kosher despite not being kosher in February 2025.[8]
Sometimes, dairy and meat foods are mixed by airline employees unaware of thekashrut guideline prohibiting such mixtures, or dairy is served too soon after a meat meal.[9] OnPassover, meals containingchametz (bread which has leavened beyond 18 minutes) are sometimes served by mistake.[3]
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Kosher meals cost the airline nearly twice as much as standard meals, even as they are usually offered at no additional cost to the traveler.[5]Smithsonian Magazine has reported that kosher airline meals are the most expensive type of airline meal served.[10]
Media related toKosher in-flight meals at Wikimedia Commons
