Flight date: September, 2024
Not long after I learned I had Celiac and went strictly Gluten Free, I set off an a previously planned around the world trip. Now I realize that was a lot to take on while learning the ropes but while I knew GF would change how I traveled, no way I was going to let it stop them. This post shares my experience flying Gluten Free from LAX to Bangkok via Tokyo with ANA Airlines.
Because long haul economy is not fun but collecting airline points is, I was able to take these flights in Business Class so things may differ if you’re looking at an economy trip but generally what I have seen front or back, gluten free food is pretty similar, even if on fancier plates.
Quick note: As a Celiac, gluten free isn’t a choice — it’s a requirement I’d love to not have. My immediate symptoms are thankfully relatively minor, but obviously I aim to avoid any & all gluten and cross-contamination. This post is simply my personal experience: your gluten free requirements & risks may differ from mine. Always follow your doctor’s advice and always confirm before eating!
On the Flight
My overall rating: 8/10
ANA was my first airline on a multi-month adventure and my first time eating GF in business class though I’ve returned to this post to ensure it reflects many flights since. The simple take is that it worked, I safely ate 3 meals across two flights and over a day of travel in a place where GF options are scare.
What stood out most was the crew’s handling of it all. While some other airlines leave me wondering about if they’re on the ball, ANA was almost over-attentive in confirming everything was gluten-free, making sure I had enough to eat, even trying to find desserts or sides that might work from what else they had catered. It wasn’t the best GF plane food I’ve had up front but it worked and I’d gladly fly them again with it.
How safe did it seem: 9/10
Nothing in a shared space, much like an airplane galley, will ever be risk free I realize but the entire meal was completely different from other passengers and while they may have removed wrapping before it came to me, it was clear it was isolated and served right to me.
How did it taste (by GF flying & business class standards): 7/10
ANA has some amazing cuisine in their regular meals and while they were able to bring a few bits of that across with the rice bread rolls and one of the appetizers, compared to other GFML I’ve had, the meals just fell short. They were all totally edible which counts for a lot but fairly flat, like gluten free = seasoning lite. Also did not help that they served something dinner-like regardless of if it was 6pm or 6am.
How were the portions: Decent. The entrees were quite well sized and protein heavy so filling but there were no GF snacks between meals, so I relied on my own there.
What was the highlight: The rice-bread was absolutely amazing. I’d fly just for those, seriously.
What I skipped: Dessert. The GF option was fruit and the m&ms I packed seemed better.
What it lacked: Variety, relative meal selection. Not that I minded anything offered but by 2am, an omelet or rice-bread egg sandwich (oooh) would have been a lot nicer than chicken. Oh well.
How do you book a ANA Free Meal: If it’s a direct booking, you can choose this online or via the app. Otherwise, you’ll need to call or email to request the option.