Flying Gluten Free on ANA Airlines with Celiac (Business Class)
Not all that long after I got diagnosed with Celiac, I had the opportunity to travel quite literally around the world. Now I admit, the timing was questionable: I was just really getting gluten free rhythm going, had done some local and some short trips but planning for months of continuous travel? To all sorts of easy and not so easy spots? Looking back it sure feels like a lot though even though I know it worked out with few issues.
But while Celiac has certainly changed how I travel, I was adamant it would not change that I traveled. So while I am certainly not suggesting this to any sane Celiac, jumping right on in to the deep end for me was a good way to force that. No more 100% safe kitchen bubble, it was go time.
Anyhow, the first legs of that adventure were with ANA flying from LAX to Bangkok via Tokyo. I’d used points to book my tickets in business class through a shockingly cheap deal that sadly no longer exists which definitely helped ease things for me on my first-ever GF longhaul flight though I’m not sure the meals were any safer, just more elaborate and on fancier plates.
ANA gluten free overview: 8/10
Ordering a gluten free meal on ANA
Because I had booked my special round-the-world ticket and its 8+ flights on the phone, I also requested the meal that way though you should be able to do it online. They require you to select a meal at least 24 hours ahead if using the website and 5+ days if writing in, though I always do it as soon as I book.
Since this trip, ANA’s website has been updated and they’ve added some details about special meals. Mainly that their GFML (gluten free meal) isn’t suitable for those with wheat allergies, presumably due to shared equipment and trace quantities, and a standard “no 100% guarantee” disclaimer that drives me a bit batty as facility making meals should be just fine, even if the plane of course has some risk when warming it up and serving it.
What ANA served on the plane
All said, I had 3 meals with ANA across two flights. All were simple in taste, ample in portions, rather impressive in presentation, and I reacted just fine on the plane and watching for a few days after.
Before I jump into what I ate, I should explain the safety. Simply put, ANA service is incredible and few meal services I’ve had on any type of flight ever rival the care and confirmations I had on this trip. Nothing was ever presented to me that was not specifically catered and while everything was served unwrapped, I have no doubt they did everything they could to ensure it was prepared entirely on its own, whether they knew the Celiac need or not.
The first flight from LAX started with a proper looking dinner and was nothing like some of the combo GFML/LFML/NLML/VLML meals I’ve had on flights since given that you know, steak (sorry to my readers who are also veggie/vegan, that has to be a real struggle given the usual one-option GFML meals).
While it looks pretty impressive and let’s be fair, it is pretty impressive vs the many boxed up economy dishes I’ve had since, like all the ANA meals I would have, they clearly played it waaaaay safe on seasoning. There was a starter chicken skewer, a shrimp salad with rice cake, and then the steak, but not much in the way of dessert.
Many hours later, at a time somewhere between I should be asleep and am I just dreaming, the second meal arrived. Breakfast felt right. Maybe eggs? Yogurt? But no, it was chicken, veggies, fruit, and another rice cake. You know what, it worked.
My third meal was on my much shorter Tokyo to Bangkok flight now in the middle of the night local time and who even knows what time it was at home. This meal was again wrong for the clock but right enough for a bite, another chicken with some rice, and some mushrooms and veggies. But this time, and most exciting, the rice cake was gone, replaced with two gluten free rice flour rolls. Maybe it was the utter lack of sleep or of carbs but it’s been a few years since this trip and I still crave those rolls.
One thing I have quickly learned going GF is that when you’re traveling and there is safe food, eat it. You never do know quite when you will get more.
Airport food options
Los Angeles (LAX) airport GF eats
If the flights were an easy time, the airports were anything but. You’ll find little at LAX now and even less then — a Jersey Mike’s in one terminal that’s quite small and a (2026 update: decently) reviewed PF Chang’s, plus the usual overpriced packaged chips, yogurts and candy. I chose to trust the PF Chang’s and their GF marked menu which was admittedly bold to do before 10+ hours on a plane. Can’t say the GF Beef and Broccoli was impressive but it was flavorful and most importantly, turned out to be just fine.
Tokyo (HND) airport GF eats
If I thought LAX was sparse, Haneda airport made it look impressive. Granted, I landed late at night and was shuttled to a small terminal for my connection to Bangkok so options were sparse in general but beyond risking the white rice at the ANA lounge or some Peanut M&M’s in a gift shop, I don’t think I saw a single GF item around.
My take on flying ANA while gluten free
ANA’s gluten free meals may not have been the best food or the most rational meal for the time of day but the quality and attention really made up for that. Still, I flew ANA after my Celiac diagnosis and so I know just how much more basic the food I got was than what ANA is capable of and that was a hard reality check.
I also have no doubt the fancy business seat did mean bigger meals than back in economy but even still, the service, the care, it was amazing and I suspect that’s true in any seat with them, even if it may mean chicken at 5am.
