It’s safe to assume that most don’t find the in-flight dining experience to be the most impressive. With options often limited to “chicken or pasta?” and a complimentary soft beverage, you pretty much get what you get until you arrive at your destination.

However, while some grumble and complain about taste, others are more concerned about their actual safety – and we’re not talking about seatbelts or oxygen masks.

Those suffering from celiac disease or a gluten intolerance know just how serious of a matter it can be to put your gastrointestinal health in someone else’s hands. When considering the symptoms from unintended gluten consumption at 40,000 feet in the air, dealing with hunger and counting the minutes till touchdown doesn’t seem so bad.

Reservations.com surveyed 54 airlines worldwide to put together a guide for gluten-free airline dining. Once you’re booked, the most important key to success is informing the airline you’re traveling with of your dietary restrictions as soon as possible. The earlier you input your “Special Meal” requirement, the less likely you’ll deal with being told your food didn’t make it on the plane. For those with lengthy in-flight hours, be sure to not overlook this guideline.

While the majority of airlines let you request a “Special Meal” up to 24 hours prior to your flight, a handful cut off the option at 48 hours, and some even 72 hours, before takeoff. If you booked from a third-party platform, it’s wise to directly contact the airline and communicate your dietary needs once you’ve received your confirmation number.

Aside from determining the latest that you can reserve your gluten-free snacks or meal, Reservations.com also took note of which international airlines charge additional fees for dietary accommodations. It turns out that the gluten-free menu costs extra only on Condor, Icelandair, Norweigian, and Alaska Airlines. Looks like the majority of players in the commercial flight industry deserves some credit for offering complimentary gluten-free options!

However, as with any dining experience, there is always the risk factor to consider of whether or not a snack or meal is truly “gluten-free” or just “low in gluten” and technically unsafe for those with celiac disease. Unfortunately, Reservations.com found 6 of the 54 airlines they surveyed include a disclaimer that they cannot guarantee their gluten-free snacks or meals are safe from cross-contamination.

Although airlines have made huge strides in providing accommodations, travelers with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance may want to save themselves the headache by planning ahead and opting to bring their own snacks on board. As with all other aspects of travel, check with your airlines’ carry-on restrictions and guidelines to ensure whatever food you bring won’t be revoked at security. Check out the complete guide on Reservations.com and save it as a bookmark to ensure happy in-flight bellies down the line!