Our guide to... Which airlines allow you to pre-order food?

SMART TRAVELLER

Passengers can plan ahead and pre-order their inflight meals on a variety of airlines. The benefits are that some meals are available exclusively in advance, you often receive your meal first during the service and are likely to get your top choice. There's also a sustainability angle, with pre-ordering reducing food waste. Many airlines also allow customers to pre-order food if they have special dietary requirements. Here we round up some of the airlines that allow you to buy before you fly.

AIR BALTIC

Passengers can pre-order hot meals on flights lasting more than 1 hour and 30 minutes, and cold meals on shorter flights.

How and when? Online from five days up to one hour before departure via My Booking. airbaltic.com

AIR TRANSAT

Passengers can pre-order from the airline's Bistro menu for flights of three hours or longer to the south and US or within Canada in economy class (Club Class passengers can make their meal selection at the time of booking or at the same time as their seat selection). Drinks and snacks can only be ordered during the inflight service. Customers benefit from discounted prices when pre-ordering.

How and when? At the time of booking or via the Manage my Booking page up to 72 hours before departure. airtransat.com

AMERICAN AIRLINES

The US carrier allows those travelling in first and business class on the majority of flights with scheduled meal service to reserve an entrée. AA says that meals may not be available at times due to a limit on numbers.

How and when? Meals can be reserved by calling the customer service team or by logging in using your name and reservation number up to 30 days and at least 24 hours before departure. aa.com

BRITISH AIRWAYS