Airplane Food

[lizard1]

I haven't flown in 15 years, well before everything on a flight was an extra charge. I just bought tickets in first class on United and was wondering what I can expect as far as meals/snacks go or what I need to bring so that my kids don't starve during the flight. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[betterbutter]

How long is your flight? Unless it's three hours or more, even in first class you probably will only get a light snack, and it might not appeal to your kids. Also if it's a night flight that leaves after a certain time, there won't be meal service, only a snack and beverage service. Domestic first class service is not all that great except for some extra space.

 

[lizard1]

The flight is definitely over 3 hours, which is one of the reasons we booked first class (that and there wasn't much of a price difference between first class and economy after figuring in the checked bag fees!). I was hoping that what the airline would provide would at least hold them over, but now I'm thinking I should probably pack something just in case.

 

[DebbieB]

Airline food is always going to taste like Lean Cuisine. I flew USAir/American last summer in first class cross country and the Asian Chicken Salad was practically inedible.

 

[winterwhite]

I'd bring snacks. The best meal I had in first class over the past three years was a bowl of Cheerios on an American flight from Los Angeles to Boston. The food is marginal.

I wouldn't necessarily bring a whole meal with you, but bring snacks your kids like. You can always get a full meal when you get to your destination.

 

[charmed59]

Wander over to the AA forum on flyertalk and you can find a thread with exactly what food you will get on your flight.

 

[jo-jo]

I'd bring snacks. Your kids might get hungry before you even leave the ground. And if flight conditions are too bumpy, nothing will be served.

Years and years and years ago, we were stuck on the tarmack for an hour or two. A storm developed right over the airport and didn't move. The airport was flooded, lost power, runway hit by lightning......aaaahhhh good time. Flight attendants "smuggled" pretzels to a few kids. My kids had juice box, PB sandwich, cookies, chips in a McDonalds happy meal bucket that we carried onboard.

 

[Starwind]

I haven't flown in 15 years, well before everything on a flight was an extra charge. I just bought tickets in first class on United and was wondering what I can expect as far as meals/snacks go or what I need to bring so that my kids don't starve during the flight. Any help would be much appreciated.

United has information about inflight dining at: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/dining/default.aspx

Will give you an idea what to expect -- note much depends on how long the flight is.

That said, bringing easy to pack snacks is always a good idea -- even if you don't end up needing them they are good to have in case there are flight delays and such, or one of you just does not like the inflight offerings (or they aren't enough). I recommend against bringing products with peanuts and/or tree nuts and really smelly things out of consideration for your fellow passengers.

I suggest looking at TSA's info about what is and is not allowed on a flight: if you are going to bring anything that is or is considered a liquid or gel (or that needs ice...) there are size restrictions. e.g. I always bring some GoGo Squeez apple sauce pouches: they are under the size limit and smush well into the 3-1-1 bag and are a nice shelf-stable treat.

SW

 

[rwdavis2]

United first class meals aren't bad. Breakfast was pretty good for airline food. I think the meal depends on time of day and flight distance. For example we flew from Baltimore to Seattle in April with a layover in Denver. We got breakfast on the way to Denver and lunch to Seattle. On the way back from Seattle (left at noon) to Denver we got lunch but after a 4 hour layover just snacks on the second leg. All the snacks you could eat and all drinks are free.

They also served fresh baked chocolate chip cookies after meals.

 

[lizard1]

United first class meals aren't bad. Breakfast was pretty good for airline food. I think the meal depends on time of day and flight distance. For example we flew from Baltimore to Seattle in April with a layover in Denver. We got breakfast on the way to Denver and lunch to Seattle. On the way back from Seattle (left at noon) to Denver we got lunch but after a 4 hour layover just snacks on the second leg. All the snacks you could eat and all drinks are free.

They also served fresh baked chocolate chip cookies after meals.

Thanks. I'm not expecting the food to be too great and we're not that picky either. It sounds like the food offerings should be enough to at least get us to where we're going, especially if we get all of the snacks we want. I tried to look at the offerings on United's website as well as the flyertalk website and am not having much luck finding details on domestic meals in first class.

 

[rwdavis2]

Thanks. I'm not expecting the food to be too great and we're not that picky either. It sounds like the food offerings should be enough to at least get us to where we're going, especially if we get all of the snacks we want. I tried to look at the offerings on United's website as well as the flyertalk website and am not having much luck finding details on domestic meals in first class.

You usually get a choice of 2 items assuming they don't run out of one of them. Can't remember exactly what we had except the reuben sandwich on the way back to BWI was not that great. The meals on the way out were just fine.

 

[lizard1]

You usually get a choice of 2 items assuming they don't run out of one of them. Can't remember exactly what we had except the reuben sandwich on the way back to BWI was not that great. The meals on the way out were just fine.

Thanks for the tip about the ruben....that would most likely have been my choice! I may pack some granola bars or something small like that just in case. I know one flight we have breakfast and another we have lunch.

 

[Shanti]

I haven't flown in 15 years, well before everything on a flight was an extra charge. I just bought tickets in first class on United and was wondering what I can expect as far as meals/snacks go or what I need to bring so that my kids don't starve during the flight. Any help would be much appreciated.

On your reservation it should state whether a meal or snack is included. The first class meals I've had have been fine. You won't need to pack snacks for the kids if a meal will be served.

 

[betterbutter]

Where are you flying to? Was it indicated that you were going to get a meal, a snack, or nothing on your boarding pass? I saw on another thread that you are going to Hawaii, if you are on a red eye flight that leaves after a certain time, you will not likely get more than a snack and a light breakfast in the morning before landing.