Can travelers bring food on flights that won't be serving a meal? Some snacks just make more sense when flying by air. You don't want messy and hard to manage snacks, or things that need to be kept cool, or need to be heated before eating.
A traveler who knows they won't be getting a meal during their flight may be worried about getting hungry while in mid-air. You may be able to take some snacks aboard with you, but you must find out the specifics first.
Can a person bring snacks on a flight that has no meal service?
"To my knowledge, yes, you can," says Milena Garita, Reservations Sales Representative with Continental Airlines.
Can a person bring snacks on a flight that has no meal service?
"To my knowledge, yes, you can," says Milena Garita, Reservations Sales Representative with Continental Airlines.
This might not be a hard and fast rule though; you might want to take the time to find out.
"When in doubt, always check with the airline," Garita says.
As with everything else in regards to air travel, when getting information, find out who is giving you that information.
"Make sure that if you're calling the airline to ask questions about something that is of special importance to you, that whatever you're advised, ask for the person's name giving you the information," says Garita. "That way if questions do arise, you can let the next agent or supervisor know who gave you the information."
Some snacks just make more sense when flying by air. You don't want messy and hard to manage snacks, or things that need to be kept cool, or need to be heated before eating.
"I would suggest small boxes of raisins or other dried fruit, your favorite crackers or cookies, bagged nuts, and cheese-n-crackers kits," says Garita.
Remember your kids may not like the same snack items you choose to bring for yourself.
"For the kids, maybe things like the 'Lunchables' types of kits, favorite dry cereal in a baggie, fruit snacks, pudding, Jell-o or fruit snack-packs are great ideas," says Garita.
Whatever you choose for a snack, remember cleanup is not as easy in the air as it is at home or in a car.
"It might be wise though, especially on longer flights, to avoid things like fresh whole fruit or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that can squish inside your carryon and get messy, even if they are in small bags," says Garita.
For shorter flights, you may not be worried about taking snacks with you. If that's the case, it is good to know you can get something on the ground.
"Most larger airports have places to buy snacks, but be aware that lots of times you will be paying premium prices," says Garita.
When it comes to drinks, you may be able to bring one with you if you don't want to wait for drink service on the flight. Some good ideas would be water, juice, or soft drink.
If you don't take one along, most flights offer some sort of beverage. Soft drinks, water, juice, coffee and tea are normally free, but you will probably be charged for an alcoholic drink.
You may have heard all the jokes about airline peanuts, but they aren't always your only snack option while in the air.
"Sometimes, but they can also offer pretzels or something else along those lines," says Garita.
Go ahead and call your airline for their rules about food aboard your flight, and ask what you can expect for snacks and beverages, and what you can bring with you. Airlines are sympathetic to people's different eating schedules and want to make your flight as comfortable as possible.
