Airplane snacks

[gate_pourri]

I have a long flight (11 hours) in coach next week and am worried about going hungry. What kind of snacks do most people bring on long flights? I fly short flights about a half dozen times a month (under 4 hours), but longer flights only about twice a year. Since the new 'no liquid' rule was enacted, I am not sure what to bring to snack on during this flight.

I like to eat everything, but... one wrinkle, I am kinda OCD when it comes to food that should be refrigerated, that isn't. So, something like a sandwich with lunch meat, I am unlikely to go with, because after a few hour wait, will get warm and... that is a no-go with me. I used to bring freezer packs, but I assume those are considered a 'liquid' and wouldn't get past security.

So, what are you go-to plane snacks? Especially things that could be considered 'full' meals.

 

[kaytieeldr]

"No liquids" is just through the TSA checkpoint; you can purchase drinks once through and bring them onboard.

Frozen peas will pass the security check and will keep food cool/cold, especially in a small insulated bag like a lunch tote. For that matter, so plastic zipper bags filled with ice cubes you discard before security and refill once through (assuming some restaurant will give you ice).

 

[bicker]

Almonds is my favorite.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Wow--That is a great tip about the peas

We usually pack trail mix, and maybe a slim jim or two. Just nothing too stinky for the sake of your neighbors.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Pringles, twizzlers, a sandwich purchased after the checkpoint, cookies, pretzels. Pretty much anything you normally like to eat. You can bring icepacks just not ice cubes. We bring icepacks to keep the kid's bottles cool.

 

[JessicaR]

I always bring a few Clif and Luna bars. Crunchy peanut butter, chocolate chip and lemon zest are really good.

 

[bgirl29]

You could freeze some grapes to keep stuff cold too.

 

[NHdisneylover]

You could freeze some grapes to keep stuff cold too.

Yep. Frozen grapes work well and are tastey on the plane (you can put a baggie of ice in as well to keep it colder right up until security and then dump that part at the last minute).
We don't pack much as they do still feed you on trans Atlantic flights (or at least they did in January)
we usually take the grapes and some other fruit (apple, pear, etc.) as well as raisins, peanutbutter crackers and some string cheese and/or cheddar cheese sticks.

 

[AnimalKingdomLover15]

Yep. Frozen grapes work well and are tastey on the plane (you can put a baggie of ice in as well to keep it colder right up until security and then dump that part at the last minute).
We don't pack much as they do still feed you on trans Atlantic flights (or at least they did in January)
we usually take the grapes and some other fruit (apple, pear, etc.) as well as raisins, peanutbutter crackers and some string cheese and/or cheddar cheese sticks.

be careful with peanut butter. I was just on a flight last week that had someone with a peanut allergies and they would not allow any peanuts on the plane! something to keep in mind.......I would stick with the grapes and I got some goldfish!

 

[claudia]

you should check with the airline...for a flight that long they are more than likely going to have food available. You will be able to purchase drinks/water at the concession stands and bring them on the plane. Everyone else gave you great snack ideas.

 

[Disney Doll]

Whenever I have been on a longer flight (ie-to Europe) they've always fed us. Are you sure there's no meal?

 

[Laz]

On an upcoming 9 hour United flight to Hawaii, the airline has food for purchase. They have 9 dollar salads (oriental chicken, e.g), and various sandwich wraps. 4 years ago, they only had the wraps and they looked soggy.

Anyone have any updates on the quality of that food today?

 

[monkey68]

Generally, international flights, they still feed you, but the food is generally not too good if you're flying coach. If you're flying first class, it's another story. But I usually bring hard boiled eggs with me and munch on the way to wherever. Also, a bagel or 2 if I don't plan to eat the airline food. When I flew home from Israel, my aunt gave me like 3 bagels to take onto the plane because they were serving breakfast, and she knew this airline had terrible breakfasts. Little more filling than chips and things.

I'm pretty bad actually, I tend to bring food food on the plane, nothing stinky, but normal food. I'll sometimes take cucumbers with me as well. If you wrap them in foil, they stay fairly cool. My neighbors tend to get so jealous when I'm noshing on a bagel with nutella while their tummies are growling.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Hard boiled eggs on a plane? The smell would be terrible. Sorry but I would not be a happy neighbor smelling fart smell. In general I would stick to foods that don't have a strong odor. Like tuna, pb, and eggs have a strong odor. A turkey sandwich not so much.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I would caution against peanut butter. On my last flight, I grabbed a bag of peanut M & Ms for the flight....and then found out that someone on the flight had a severe peanut allergy. I was HUNGRY, LOL!

 

[monkey68]

Hard boiled eggs on a plane? The smell would be terrible. Sorry but I would not be a happy neighbor smelling fart smell. In general I would stick to foods that don't have a strong odor. Like tuna, pb, and eggs have a strong odor. A turkey sandwich not so much.

Eggs only smell if you overcook them. I'm pretty good with making hard boiled eggs, I've never smelled anything before. And I'm usually pretty sensitive to smells.

 

[Robmom]

Hard boiled eggs on a plane? The smell would be terrible. Sorry but I would not be a happy neighbor smelling fart smell.

I was thinking the same thing. One of my co-workers has one every morning, and the smell kills me!

 

[Micca]

I've been taking some little bags of Ritz crackers filled with cheese spread. Pretty yummy little snack and they are available at grocery stores, convenience stores, etc.

 

[NotUrsula]

Pringles, twizzlers, a sandwich purchased after the checkpoint, cookies, pretzels. Pretty much anything you normally like to eat. You can bring icepacks just not ice cubes. We bring icepacks to keep the kid's bottles cool.

MHMama, the reason that you were allowed the ice packs is that you had the bottles; if you had not had the bottles TSA would have forced you to throw out the icepacks. Keeping baby bottles and medications cool is a specific exception to the ban; you are not otherwise allowed to take them through security.

For the OP, frozen grapes make an excellent coolant, and unlike the peas, you can eat them once they begin to thaw out. I've also used frozen deli meats as a coolant, and assembled the sandwich after the meat has thawed.

As to food, my best advice is to try to minimize foods that create debris. Meats with bones, fruit with peels/cores, eggs with shells, etc. -- all of those create odor once the rest of the food has been eaten. You want to be able to eat all of what you bring. (If this is an international flight, be aware that just before the flight lands you often will be required to give up any fresh fruit or non-smoked meat that you have not consumed. This is due to agriculture import rules.)

If you take sandwiches, it is best to put your condiments in your 3-1-1 baggie and add them just before you eat the sandwich. If you put them on hours before the sandwich is to be eaten the bread is likely to get really soggy on you.

Eating protein will help with jet lag IME. Nuts are good, but don't bring ONLY nuts, because as PP have pointed out, you may get a "no nuts" announcement if there is an allergic passenger on board. (Tree nuts are a better bet than peanuts, fewer people are allergic to those.) If you like jerky it is a very good choice, but only if you have plenty of water available, as the saltiness will make you thirsty.

BRING YOUR OWN WATER ON BOARD. There is never enough water passed around on long-haul flights. Either buy bottled water airside or bring your own large empty water bottle and fill it from an airside water fountain before you board. I recommend that you bring at least a litre for a flight that long. Also, be aware that if you are flying a non-US carrier, ice is likely to be very scarce.

 

[gate_pourri]

I am sure they are going to feed us, but I am not sure how edible the food will be. We are flying an Eastern European airline in coach. Who knows what they may try to pass off as 'food'. Unlike American based airlines, alcohol is free, so if all else fails, I'll just drink

Thanks for suggestions. The grapes are a great idea! I am going to buy some today and throw them in the freezer. I was thinking cheese and crackers, baby carrots with the pre-measured ranch dressing (that doesn't need to be refrigerated) and a few more snacky things like chips. For anyone who is reading this thread for suggestions, I also always bring a cup-o-noodle on long coach international flights (I got the idea from Singapore Air who has noodle soups available during the entire flight if you get hungry). All airlines have hot water for tea/coffee and are typically willing to give you some for your noodles.