Vegan and Vegetarian Private Jet Catering: Every Diet Right on Board, London City (EGLC / LCY)
Vegan and vegetarian private jet catering has moved from an occasional request to an everyday part of VVIP service. Some passengers have followed a plant-based diet for years, others choose it for a week of wellness, and many simply enjoy a lighter menu on a business trip. Getting every diet right on board starts with clear words: vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and plant-based each mean something slightly different, and the details make all the difference to the passenger.
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 London City (EGLC / LCY) and Farnborough (EGLF / FAB) to Paris (LFPB / LBG) and Madrid (LEMD / MAD). Vegan and vegetarian dishes sit alongside halal, kosher and alcohol-free menus, with allergen labelling on every item. This guide explains the definitions, the ingredients worth checking and how to order so that every plate is exactly right.
Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian: getting the words right
The terms are often used loosely in conversation, which is why our team always asks for the precise diet. The table below sums up the main categories we prepare.
Diet | Excludes | Usually includes |
Vegetarian (lacto-ovo) | Meat, poultry, fish and seafood | Eggs, dairy, honey |
Lacto-vegetarian | Meat, fish and eggs | Dairy |
Vegan | All animal products, including dairy, eggs, honey and gelatine | Vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds |
Pescatarian | Meat and poultry | Fish, seafood, eggs and dairy |
Plant-based | Mostly or entirely animal products, depending on the passenger | Confirm the exact preference with our team |
Pescatarian is not vegetarian, and plant-based may or may not mean strictly vegan. When in doubt, describe what the passenger does not eat rather than naming the diet; our team will prepare the menu from there.
The hidden ingredients worth checking
Most dishes are obviously vegetarian or obviously not. The care lies in the small ingredients that are easy to overlook, and our kitchens check them as part of every vegan and vegetarian order.
Stocks and broths: risottos, soups and sauces are prepared with vegetable stock rather than chicken or beef stock.
Dressings and sauces: Caesar dressing and Worcestershire sauce traditionally contain anchovy; many Asian sauces contain fish sauce.
Desserts: gelatine in mousses, panna cotta and jellies; butter, cream and eggs in pastries for vegan passengers.
Bread and viennoiserie: butter in croissants and egg wash on glazed breads.
Cheese: some traditional cheeses use animal rennet, which strict vegetarians may prefer to avoid.
Honey and beeswax: excluded for vegan passengers, including in glazes and dressings.
A vegan dish is not only what is on the plate, but everything that went into the pan. That is where precision makes the difference.
Building a satisfying plant-based menu
A vegan or vegetarian menu on a private jet should be every bit as generous as any other. The secret is protein, texture and colour, so passengers finish the flight comfortably satisfied rather than simply served the vegetable garnish of someone else's plate.
Service | Vegan ideas | Vegetarian additions |
Breakfast | Overnight oats with plant milk, fruit, avocado on sourdough | Eggs, yoghurt and viennoiserie |
Light lunch | Grain bowls with chickpeas, roasted vegetables and tahini | Burrata or feta salads |
Hot main course | Lentil or chickpea stews, tofu and vegetable curries | Mushroom risotto with Parmesan, vegetable gratin |
Dessert | Sorbets, fruit salads, dark chocolate desserts made without dairy | Classic French pastries |
Snacks | Hummus with crudités, nuts and dried fruit | Cheese board with crackers |
Plant milks deserve a mention of their own: oat, soy and almond milk for coffee and tea are easy to add to an order, and almond milk is labelled as a nut allergen. Hot dishes come with reheating guidance and sauces packed separately, so the crew can serve each plate at its best.
Keeping every diet separate on board
When a cabin carries several diets at once, clarity is everything. Our kitchens pack vegan and vegetarian meals individually, label each one clearly with the diet and the allergens, and keep them apart from meat and fish dishes. On board, a few simple habits help the crew keep everything aligned:
Note each passenger's diet by name or seat in your order, not only the total number of special meals.
Store special meals on a separate shelf of the chiller where possible.
Reheat vegan and vegetarian dishes first, or in a separate oven load, with lids in place.
Use clean serving utensils for each dish, especially when meat and plant-based dishes are served side by side.
Check the label before serving, so the passenger receives exactly the meal prepared for them.
Ordering vegan and vegetarian catering
Send your request to order@globaldiners.com 24 hours ahead with the aircraft registration, airport, date, delivery time and passenger count, plus the exact diet for each passenger and any allergies. Our specialised team prepares a dedicated quote from the one Global Diners menu. Delivery is planeside at Paris (LFPB / LBG) and Nice (LFMN / NCE), at the FBO in Madrid, and coordinated with your FBO or handler everywhere else.
Plant-based menus also connect with wider sustainability goals; our article on sustainable private jet catering explores this theme, while what flight crews expect from a private jet caterer shows why clear labelling matters so much to cabin crews. For crew members who are vegan or vegetarian themselves, our crew catering guide covers meals for rotations and layovers.
Our team is also preparing the Global Diners client portal, coming very soon, 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.
Aircraft Catering at London City (EGLC / LCY) During Peak Events in London
London City lies in the Royal Docks, minutes from Canary Wharf and the Square Mile, so its private-aviation traffic follows the business and events calendar of the capital. Activity peaks during trade shows at the neighbouring ExCeL centre, fashion and technology weeks, major sporting fixtures and the run-up to Christmas. The airport's steep approach, aircraft-type approvals and set operating hours mean slots are carefully planned, and the business-aviation apron is compact. Order catering 48 hours ahead in these weeks, send final passenger numbers as early as possible and agree a delivery time with your handler that matches your slot. Elegant cold canapés, sealed breakfast boxes and dishes that plate quickly work best for short European sectors.
Event | When | Where |
DSEI | September, odd-numbered years | ExCeL London, Royal Docks |
London Fashion Week | February and September | Venues across central London |
TCS London Marathon | April | Greenwich to The Mall, via Canary Wharf |
London Tech Week | June | Central London |
Wimbledon | Late June to mid-July | All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, south-west London |
Christmas and New Year | December | London |
DSEI at London City (EGLC / LCY): September, odd-numbered years
DSEI is one of the largest defence and security exhibitions in the world, held at ExCeL, directly across the dock from the airport. Government delegations and industry executives arrive in concentrated waves, and many aircraft stay only for the day. Confirm orders three days ahead, and ask for individually packed meals for delegation flights and discreet buffet formats for onboard meetings. Halal, kosher and allergen-aware options can be prepared on request, with crew meals included for long standby days.
London's event dates shift from one year to the next, so please check the timing with our team when you request catering.
Things to do around London City (EGLC / LCY)
The Royal Docks sit on the Thames in east London, with the cable car crossing the river to the Greenwich Peninsula and The O2 arena. Greenwich Park offers views back over Canary Wharf and the City, while Thames Clippers boats run west past Tower Bridge to Westminster. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at Stratford has the London Aquatics Centre and the ArcelorMittal Orbit. Closer to the river, waterside walks link the docks with Canary Wharf, where public art, gardens and roof terraces sit among the towers, and the Thames Path continues east along the water for longer walks or runs.
Culture and heritage near London City (EGLC / LCY)
Maritime Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. The Museum of London Docklands tells the story of the river and its trade in a Georgian warehouse at West India Quay. Further west, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and the City's livery halls reflect nearly 2,000 years of history.
Also nearby: Farnborough (EGLF / FAB)
The area is known for country pubs and gastropubs in villages across Surrey and Hampshire, many with gardens open through summer. In the Thames Valley, the village of Bray holds two of England's best-known restaurants, The Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn. Guildford's cobbled High Street mixes independent shops with major brands, and Windsor offers boutiques near the castle. For luxury shopping, most visitors head into London's Bond Street and Knightsbridge.
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).
London City (EGLC / LCY): London City Airport Private Jet Centre
Farnborough (EGLF / FAB): Farnborough Airport Ltd
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
What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan private jet catering?
Vegetarian meals exclude meat, poultry and fish but may include eggs, dairy and honey. Vegan meals exclude all animal products, including dairy, eggs, honey and gelatine.
Is pescatarian the same as vegetarian?
No. Pescatarian passengers eat fish and seafood but not meat. Describe what each passenger does not eat, and our team prepares the right menu.
How do you keep vegan meals separate from other dishes?
Our kitchens pack vegan and vegetarian meals individually, clearly labelled with the diet and allergens, and kept apart from meat and fish dishes.
Can crew meals be vegan or vegetarian?
Yes. Crew meals can follow any of our dietary menus, including vegan, vegetarian, halal and kosher. Simply list them in your order to order@globaldiners.com.
Can I order catering for an early-morning business departure from London City (EGLC / LCY)?
Yes. Early departures from London City (EGLC / LCY) are a regular request, with breakfast boxes, bacon or smoked salmon bagels, fruit, yoghurt, pastries and hot drinks available. Our team plans production with our kitchens so the order is ready for the handler before the first slot. Please share the departure time when ordering.
Can catering at London City be sized for small business jets and turboprops?
Yes, catering for flights from London City (EGLC / LCY) can be packed for compact cabins and short sectors, with individual boxes, sandwich platters and light meals that need little galley space. Our team adapts portions and packaging to the aircraft type. Tell us the aircraft and the number of passengers when you send your order.
Explore more destinations and guides
Private jet catering in London City (EGLC / LCY)
Private jet catering in Paris (LFPB / LBG)
Private jet catering in Madrid (LEMD / MAD)
Is your next flight plant-based?
Whether one passenger is vegan or the whole cabin prefers a vegetarian menu, Global Diners prepares every plate with the same care, the same labels and the same attention to the small ingredients. Share the diets on board with our specialised team and we will prepare a dedicated quote for your flight.
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.
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