Best lunches for plane

[proud_canadian]

So we have a very long flight that will fall over lunch time. It is about 6.5 hours. However, we won't even be leaving from our house that morning, but rather staying in a hotel (with no fridge) the night before.

Any ideas on what we can bring to eat on the plane?

 

[figment_jii]

It'll be pricey, but I'd consider picking up food after you get through security at the airport. Depending on what airport you're flying out of, many have several choices.

Otherwise, you'll need to bring things that can get through security and won't spoil. Maybe things like granola bars, fresh fruit (might see if there are any that can't be taken as carry-on), cereal, etc.

 

[sam_gordon]

So we have a very long flight that will fall over lunch time. It is about 6.5 hours. However, we won't even be leaving from our house that morning, but rather staying in a hotel (with no fridge) the night before.

Any ideas on what we can bring to eat on the plane?

Are you sure the airline doesn't offer a meal? I'd be surprised if you only get "snacks" on a 6.5 hour flight.

 

[figment_jii]

Are you sure the airline doesn't offer a meal? I'd be surprised if you only get "snacks" on a 6.5 hour flight.

Some flights might sell meal boxes, but not all long duration flights have enough of them. I don't count on the plane have food anymore; they don't stock that many so they may sell out before they reach your row.

 

[NotUrsula]

The hotel may be able to prepare some very nice box lunches for you; it won't hurt to ask.

If not, what I would do is to pack a small cooler as one of your carryon bags, and put your condiments in your 3-1-1 baggie. Make whatever lunch you like so long as the food is solid; sandwiches and dry salads, whole fruits, no soups or paste-type items.

Put several doubled Ziploc freezer bags inside the cooler to hold ice; you can ice it at the hotel, then dump the ice right before security. Once you are airside, buy some bottled drinks and get your baggies refilled with ice for the flight.

Keep in mind that you should avoid any foods that have strong odors, foods with bones that will need to be disposed of, and any peanut products, because it is possible that you might be asked not to eat peanut products on the plane due to the presence of an allergic passenger.

 

[proud_canadian]

I think it said that "Meals are available for purchase", so no free meals. Was hoping to not buy at the airport, plus when we leave it will be early morning, so likely only "breakfast type foods" available anyways. I'm more worried about the cost, for four of us, plus if it is anything warm, it would be cold by the time we wanted to eat it 3-4 hours later.

Not sure what to bring other than snacks! Crackers, granola bars, etc. But I don't want it to be all junk either.

 

[proud_canadian]

Oh and right now we are at the back of the plane too. So not sure there will be food when they get to us anyways. Plus my kids are fussy and usually it is just sandwiches that have mayo or other things on them my kids won't eat!

 

[figment_jii]

What would you normally take with you on the plane (if you were leaving directly from home and not a hotel without a fridge)?

I was thinking that you could buy a cheap cooler (like the styrofoam ones), fill it with the perishables that you would normally take, and then fill it with ice in the hotel. That should last one night. Then the next morning, put the food stuff in your carry-ons and then make your meal as you normally would once you get past security.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Are you sure the airline doesn't offer a meal? I'd be surprised if you only get "snacks" on a 6.5 hour flight.

Not surprising at all. No US airline provides meals for economy class on domestic flights. Sometimes you can buy things like snack boxes or sandwiches; that's it.

OP - check out what food places will be available after you get through security (check your airport's website) and then buy some meals to take aboard.

 

[purple figment]

We've found that the restaurants past security have a variety of food for sale to take on the plane. From the time they open in the early morning there will be sandwiches, salads, and other lunch types of food. It won't be just breakfast foods. There's a much larger variety than what is typically sold on the plane. I agree that there is definitely a chance they will run out of boxed meals before they get to your row.

If you don't want to purchase anything because of cost and because your kids are picky then you'll need to bring food from home. I agree you'll want a small cooler to keep everything fresh from the night before. I would check the TSA site to see what cannot be brought through security.

 

[airplanegod]

Are you sure the airline doesn't offer a meal? I'd be surprised if you only get "snacks" on a 6.5 hour flight.

I was on a 9 hour flight once from Chicago to Honolulu. Not so much as a free bag of peanuts, lol. At least drinks were free...