8 hours on a plane and no meal service!

[Bob NC]

Every flight I have ever been on under those circumstances has allowed you to deplane during the stop.

My point being that this is not an 8 hour flight. It is a 4 hour flight. One hour on the ground. Then a 4 hour flight. Hence, it is not.....

an 8 hr flight with no meal!

 

[sgtdisney]

It sounds like you are flying on America West. If this is the case you should have a 1 hour and 15 minute layover in Pheonix. Since you are on an airline with reserved seats, and you won't lose them if you get off the plane, you should be able to get off of the plane and go into the terminal and pick up some lunch. Also, it looks like the total flying time will be just under 7 hours. Frankly, I am surprised that AWA isn't serving some kind of meal or snack from PHX to MCO since the flight is scheduled at over 4 hours. The flight from PDX to PHX is only scheduled for 2 and 1/2 hours and most airlines aren't serving on flights of that length anymore. As others have suggested, I would bring snacks along just in case, as you never know what happens to the schedules if delays take place, etc.

 

[lookingforward]

We are flying Continental, non-stop to Orlando from Newark. They say that a snack is offered. Does anyone have any idea what that comprises? Just want to know if I should pack food for my kids. We are flying at 9 a.m. and returning at 12 noon.

 

[CarolA]

My advice is that even if your airline says they are serving you a snack or other forms of food, BRING YOUR OWN! Unless you are lucky enough to be in First Class, the rest of the junke is not food as I define (i.e. edible!). I am not a picky eater, but frozen sandwiches, tiny OJs and the other stuff they serve me is not worth fussing about losing.

 

[Bob NC]

We are flying Continental, non-stop to Orlando from Newark. They say that a snack is offered. Does anyone have any idea what that comprises? Just want to know if I should pack food for my kids. We are flying at 9 a.m. and returning at 12 noon.

It's like a 2 and a half hour flight between breakfast and lunchtime. Do ya really need much more than a snack and a drink?

 

[CarolA]

By the way, peanuts and/or pretzels qualify as a snack in airline language.

 

[DisneyVillans]

Sorry for the confusion. I knew the flight was 7 + hours and I just divided the time in half. I don't actually have the tickets yet, so I haven't had a chance to see actual flight time. I guess I should have looked at the print out from the travel agent more carefully. The whole thing gets to be overwhelming. We live three hours away from Portland. In order to make early flight we will need to head up the night before. Then not arriving until after 8pm in Orlando, kind of makes things on that end take forever. Like renting the car, stopping at the store, getting dinner, checking in, etc. All in all, I guess you can't get anywhere from here .

I do appreciate all the great suggestions and the humor! I didn't think that the airline would let us deplane in Pheonix. I can remember flights through there in the past where we weren't allowed to leave the plane. With all the hightened security, I just assumed that once you were on the plane that was it. It would definetly make things easier if we could get off.

Oh well, only time will tell!

 

[laf]

I bring along Boost, Edge, SlimFast cans or food bars--the meal replacement variety (Atkins bars are great if you're doing the low-carb plan). They won't spoil if unopened, so if a miracle happens and the airline feeds you, you'll have them for emergency hotel and park food.