Gluten-Free Private Jet Catering: How to Order and Handle Gluten-Free Meals On Board
Gluten-free private jet catering is one of the most frequent dietary requests in business aviation, and one of the easiest to get right when it is planned from the first message. Some passengers live with coeliac disease, others follow a gluten-free diet for wellbeing or simple preference, and a few discover on the day that a guest on board needs it. Each case deserves the same calm answer: a clear request, a kitchen that understands it, and catering that arrives labelled so the crew can serve with confidence.
Global Diners prepares VVIP inflight catering in our own kitchens in Paris, Nice and Madrid and in our kitchens across more than 2,500 airports, from Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS) and Brussels (EBBR / BRU) to Paris (LFPB / LBG). This guide explains how to order gluten-free meals, what to ask for, how the kitchen and the crew keep gluten-free items apart, and which dishes travel best at altitude.
Why gluten-free requests deserve a clear process
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, and in many products made from them: bread, pasta, pastry, most biscuits, many sauces, soy sauce, beer and a long list of processed foods. For a guest with coeliac disease, even a small amount can spoil the journey, so the request is a medical requirement rather than a taste. For a guest who simply prefers to avoid gluten, the request is about comfort and enjoyment. Both are welcome, and it helps the kitchen to know which one applies.
On a business jet, the cabin is small, the galley is compact and service often happens quickly. That is why the work is done before departure: the dish is chosen, prepared and labelled on the ground, so that on board the crew simply serves a tray that is clearly marked. The more precise the request, the more relaxed the service.
Coeliac disease: a strict requirement. Tell us explicitly, so the kitchen treats every component, including sauces, garnishes and desserts, as gluten-free.
Gluten intolerance or sensitivity: usually handled the same way in practice, with the same care and labelling.
Wheat allergy: different from coeliac disease, since some guests may still eat barley or rye. Mention it as an allergy so it is labelled as such.
Preference or wellbeing diet: gluten-free meals prepared from the Global Diners menu, with the same labelling for clarity.
How to order gluten-free catering with Global Diners
Ordering gluten-free meals follows the same simple routine as any other order. Email order@globaldiners.com with the airport, aircraft registration, date, delivery time and passenger count, then add the dietary detail for each guest. Our specialised team prepares a dedicated quote and confirms every item in writing, so the crew knows exactly which tray belongs to which passenger.
State how many guests need gluten-free meals, and whether it is coeliac disease, an allergy or a preference.
List any other allergies or diets for the same guests, such as dairy-free, nut-free, halal or kosher.
Mention the services you plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and any crew meals that should also be gluten-free.
Order 24 hours ahead, so the kitchen can choose the right ingredients and prepare every component from the start.
Check the written confirmation: each gluten-free item is named and labelled before it leaves the kitchen.
If a gluten-free guest joins at the last moment, contact our team straight away. Many naturally gluten-free dishes from the Global Diners menu can be prepared quickly, and our article on last-minute private jet catering explains how short-notice requests are handled.
Separation and labelling: from kitchen to galley
In our kitchens, gluten-free meals are prepared following HACCP principles, with separate preparation, clean utensils and their own packaging. Every item leaving the kitchen carries an allergen label, and gluten-free trays are clearly marked with the guest's name or seat when you provide it. Sauces are packed separately, which keeps each component identifiable and allows the crew to plate with care.
On board, a few simple habits keep gluten-free service calm. Store gluten-free items on their own shelf or in their own bag, heat them first or in their own dish, use clean serving utensils, and keep bread baskets away from the gluten-free tray. Toasters and shared butter dishes are common sources of crumbs, so a separate portion of butter and pre-sliced gluten-free bread are a thoughtful touch.
The best gluten-free service is the one the passenger barely notices: the right tray, clearly marked, served with the same elegance as every other plate.
Step | What the crew does | How Global Diners supports it |
Ordering | States coeliac disease, allergy or preference for each guest | Dedicated quote and written confirmation naming every gluten-free item |
Preparation | Shares service times and seat or guest names | Separate preparation following HACCP principles, own packaging |
Delivery | Checks labels when receiving the catering | Allergen label on every item, gluten-free trays clearly marked |
Galley | Stores and heats gluten-free items separately | Reheating guidance and sauces packed separately |
Service | Serves gluten-free plates first with clean utensils | Gluten-free bread, snacks and desserts on request |
Gluten-free dishes that shine at altitude
The happiest gluten-free menus are built on dishes that are naturally free of gluten, rather than on substitutes. Grilled fish and seafood, roast chicken, lamb or beef, rice, potatoes, polenta, seasonal vegetables and salads all travel beautifully. Caviar, smoked salmon and cheese from the Global Diners menu card are excellent gluten-free choices on their own, served with gluten-free crackers or blinis made without wheat flour when requested.
Breakfast: eggs, smoked salmon, yoghurt with fruit and gluten-free granola, gluten-free bread or pastries on request.
Light lunch: composed salads with grilled chicken or prawns, rice bowls, cold roast beef with potato salad.
Dinner: fillet of sea bass with vegetables, lamb with gratin potatoes, risotto made with gluten-free stock.
Snacks: cheese boards with gluten-free crackers, fresh fruit, nuts if no nut allergy is on board, crudités with dips.
Desserts: fruit salad, panna cotta, chocolate mousse, macarons and flourless chocolate cake.
Sauces deserve special attention, because many are thickened with flour or contain soy sauce or stock made with gluten. Our kitchens prepare gluten-free versions where needed and label them separately. Drinks also matter: most beers contain gluten, while wine and champagne, offered subject to local rules, are naturally free of it, as are juices, mineral waters and teas.
Gluten-free menus around Europe
Local cuisines offer many naturally gluten-free ideas. From Amsterdam or Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD / RTM), aged Gouda, Dutch smoked eel, North Sea fish and the first Hollandse Nieuwe herring of June make an elegant cold board, while a Brussels departure suggests Belgian chocolate desserts and grey shrimp salads, with care taken over any breaded classics. In Madrid, jamón ibérico, Manchego and tortilla española are gluten-free by nature, and on the Riviera, socca made from chickpea flour, salade niçoise and grilled fish bring Mediterranean colour to the tray.
Our guide to wine pairing for private jet catering suggests pairings that work with lighter gluten-free dishes, and our crew catering for layovers article shows how crew meals can follow the same dietary rules on multi-day trips.
Gluten-free catering on long missions and with other diets
On long-haul flights, a gluten-free guest may need several services, snacks and a breakfast before landing. Tell us the flight time and the rhythm you plan, so every service is prepared gluten-free from the start, including snacks that guests often help themselves to during the cruise. Gluten-free requests combine easily with halal, kosher and alcohol-free menus, and with dairy-free or nut-free needs, as long as each requirement is listed in the order.
When the same guest flies often, sharing a short dietary profile with your order saves time on every trip. Our specialised team can then prepare the same favourite gluten-free breakfast in Paris, a light lunch from Brussels and a dinner from Amsterdam with the same care. Departures from Paris (LFPB / LBG) and Nice (LFMN / NCE) are delivered planeside by our own kitchens, Madrid (LEMD / MAD) at the FBO, and every other airport through your FBO or handler.
Coming very soon: the client portal and crew training
The Global Diners client portal is coming very soon. It is designed to bring the Global Diners menu, order requests, confirmations and documents into one space for crew, operations and finance. Until it opens, every request goes through order@globaldiners.com. The Global Diners Crew Training Programme, a structured training programme for cabin crew on inflight catering service, is launching soon.
Events That Shape Private Jet Catering at Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS)
Schiphol is one of Europe's great hub airports, and business aviation works smoothly alongside carefully managed airline traffic and slot rules. Demand for private jet catering rises during the spring flower season, around King's Day, at the big September and October trade and music events, and in the run-up to Christmas, when Amsterdam is at its most festive. Ordering a little earlier than the usual 24 hours is a good idea, confirm passenger numbers as soon as the manifest is stable and agree a precise delivery time with your handler so it matches your slot. Chilled Dutch cheeses, smoked fish, salads and individually packed meals are robust choices for short European sectors and transatlantic legs alike.
Event | When | Where |
Tulip season and Keukenhof | Late March to mid-May | Keukenhof, Lisse, and the bulb fields between Haarlem and Leiden |
King's Day (Koningsdag) | April | Amsterdam canals and city centre |
Pride Amsterdam | Late July to early August | Prinsengracht and the canal ring, Amsterdam |
IBC | September | RAI Amsterdam |
Amsterdam Dance Event | October | Clubs and venues across Amsterdam |
Amsterdam Light Festival | Late November to January | City-centre canals, Amsterdam |
King's Day (Koningsdag) at Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS): April
The Netherlands celebrates the King's birthday with street markets, music and a sea of orange, and Amsterdam's canals fill with boats for one of Europe's largest street parties. The city centre is given over to the celebrations, so we plan catering and delivery timing a day or two ahead, and many guests fly out the morning after. Orange-themed treats such as tompouce pastries, fresh juices and light breakfast boxes suit the occasion.
Festival and convention dates in Amsterdam move from year to year, so check the exact timing with our team when you order.
Dining and shopping near Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS)
Dutch classics include raw herring from street stands, bitterballen in brown cafés, aged Gouda and fresh stroopwafels, while Indonesian rijsttafel reflects the country's colonial history. Amsterdam's restaurant scene ranges from Michelin-starred tables to modern bistros in De Pijp and Oost. For shopping, P.C. Hooftstraat is the luxury street, the Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) offer independent boutiques and vintage, and De Bijenkorf on Dam Square is the city's flagship department store.
Local flavours for flights from Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS)
Dutch food is straightforward, dairy-rich and closely tied to the sea. Cheese is the best-known export: aged Gouda and farmhouse Boerenkaas, cumin-spiced Leyden and creamy young cheeses offer a complete cheese board, from mild to crystalline and nutty after several years of ageing. Herring is the national delicacy. Hollandse Nieuwe, the first herring of the season in early summer, is eaten raw with onion and pickles, and smoked eel from the IJsselmeer region is a refined cold starter that suits cabin service. Bitterballen and kroketten, crisp croquettes with mustard, are the classic bar snack but are best served hot on the ground. For breakfast, Dutch traditions include hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles on buttered bread), ontbijtkoek spiced cake and fresh rolls with cheese and ham. Appeltaart, a deep apple pie with cinnamon, and stroopwafels – thin waffles sandwiched with caramel syrup – travel very well and are often requested as treats. Amsterdam also has a strong Indonesian food tradition, and a selection from a rijsttafel, with satay, rendang and spiced vegetables, makes an unusual hot option. Jenever, the Dutch juniper spirit, is the ancestor of gin, and Dutch beers are widely available. Pick-up from an Amsterdam restaurant, cheese shop or bakery is available on request.
Also nearby: Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD / RTM)
Rotterdam The Hague Airport, on the northern edge of Rotterdam, serves Europe's largest seaport and the seat of the Dutch government and international courts in The Hague. Business jet flights carry shipping, energy and trading executives, diplomats, legal teams and delegations attending conferences at the World Forum. Visitors also come for Rotterdam's architecture, museums and North Sea Jazz, and for the beaches at Scheveningen. The compact airport is popular with business aviation because of short taxi times and quick access to both cities, Delft and the Westland greenhouse region.
Rotterdam is a city of modern architecture: the Cube Houses, the Markthal, the Erasmus Bridge and the Euromast viewing tower. Water taxis and harbour tours show the scale of the port. Kinderdijk's UNESCO-listed windmills are a short drive away. In The Hague, visitors walk the Binnenhof area and Lange Voorhout, then head to Scheveningen for the beach, pier and seafood. Delft's canals and market square are close by, and the dunes along the coast are ideal for cycling and walking. Golf, sailing on the Maas and kitesurfing at Scheveningen are easy to arrange, and the Westland greenhouse area offers tours of its high-tech horticulture.
FBOs at every airport in this guide
Here are the business aviation terminals (FBOs) at each airport mentioned above. Our team coordinates every catering delivery with the FBO or handler you choose, and our own kitchens deliver planeside at Paris (LFPB / LBG) and Nice (LFMN / NCE).
Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS): AviaVIP and Jet Aviation Netherlands BV
Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD / RTM): Jet Aviation
Brussels (EBBR / BRU): AviaVIP and ExecuJet Belgium
Paris (LFPB / LBG): Dassault Falcon Service, Jet Aviation, Signature Aviation, Advanced Air Support International, Jetex Le Bourget, ExecuJet Paris and Universal Aviation France
Nice (LFMN / NCE): Signature Aviation, AviaVIP and DC Aviation G-OPS
Madrid (LEMD / MAD): General Aviation Service SL, AviaVIP, Sky Valet Spain and United Aviation Services S.L.
Frequently asked questions
How do I order gluten-free private jet catering?
Email order@globaldiners.com with the airport, aircraft registration, date, delivery time and passenger count, and state how many guests need gluten-free meals and whether it is coeliac disease, an allergy or a preference. Our team sends a dedicated quote and confirms each item in writing. We recommend ordering 24 hours ahead.
Are gluten-free meals labelled?
Yes. Every item carries an allergen label, and gluten-free trays are clearly marked, with the guest's name or seat when you provide it. Sauces are packed separately.
Which dishes are naturally gluten-free?
Grilled fish and seafood, roast meats, rice, potatoes, salads, cheese, caviar and smoked salmon, fruit and many desserts such as panna cotta or flourless chocolate cake. Gluten-free bread and crackers are available on request.
What is the Global Diners client portal?
The portal, coming very soon, is designed to bring the Global Diners menu, order requests, confirmations and documents into one space for crew, operations and finance. Until it opens, all orders go through order@globaldiners.com.
Can I get catering at Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD / RTM) for a government delegation visiting The Hague?
Yes. Global Diners caters official and diplomatic flights at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (EHRD / RTM), with menus adapted to protocol needs, including halal, kosher, vegetarian and allergen-aware dishes on request. Delegation schedules can change, so we suggest ordering early and keeping us updated through our single ordering address. We coordinate delivery timing with your handler and label each dish clearly.
Can you add fresh Hollandse Nieuwe herring to a flight order from Rotterdam (EHRD / RTM)?
Yes. For departures from Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD / RTM) during the herring season, which starts in June, Hollandse Nieuwe can be added on request, served chilled with onions and pickles. Smoked eel, smoked salmon and North Sea shrimp are available year-round. As raw fish needs careful handling, we pack it on ice and agree a delivery time close to departure.
Explore more destinations and guides
Private jet catering in Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS)
Private jet catering in Brussels (EBBR / BRU)
Private jet catering in Paris (LFPB / LBG)
Flying soon with a gluten-free guest?
From Amsterdam (EHAM / AMS), Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD / RTM) and Brussels (EBBR / BRU) to Paris (LFPB / LBG), Nice (LFMN / NCE) and Madrid (LEMD / MAD), Global Diners brings one menu, one specialised team and our kitchens to every departure. Tell us who needs gluten-free meals and why, and we will prepare a dedicated quote, so every guest enjoys the flight with complete peace of mind.
To request a quote, email order@globaldiners.com with your aircraft registration, airport, date, delivery time and passenger count. Our specialised team replies with a dedicated quote for your mission.
Comments