<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> As a Northwest Airlines employee, I often get the chance to surprise passengers and travel agents when they request gluten-free meals. The surprise is not necessarily that Northwest offers gluten free meals, but that I understand Why it is so important that passengers are provided these meals. However since most of my travel is done on a standby basis I am not able to request it for myself. I would like to share the good news that I discovered on a recent trip where I found myself traveling with a confirmed ticket and was able to have a special meal request entered for me. As the meal service was beginning, an announcement was made that special meals had been requested and the passengers' last names were given. When the flight attendant reached my row I told him my last name and was provided with a salad topped with grilled chicken and a lemon and rice wine vinaigrette dressing....the rest of the passengers were served cold sandwiches and Fritos since this was a flight where a snack and not a full meal service was provided. I enjoyed the chicken salad and found it to be quite flavorful with no after effects at all. I would recommend the gluten free meals on Northwest, as someone who has tried it, not just as an employee. :)