Flight Snacks

[Kriii]

I think as long as you pack nothing stinky, no potential allergins and nothing that is too fragile to hold up you should be ok. I use an insulated lunch bag for travel snacks often and it works well keeping things cold.

 

[rnorwo1]

I'm following along, great ideas. We are flying to Aulani in late May; we have a short flight to Dallas at the crack of dawn, a short layover, and then 8-8.5 hr direct flight to HNL. I don't know if there will be lunch type places open in Dallas that early, or if we will even have time to wait in line to buy something. I don't want to have to buy the expensive, crappy stuff on the plane, and my kids wouldn't like it anyway. So, I definitely want to find something more filling than just snack items.

 

[mjkacmom]

Untoasted bagel, maybe a banana, granola bars, and always buy water after security (which DH forgot to do when he took the kids on an overseas flight recently - they were dying).

 

[damskipi13]

Depending on what airport you are going to and which airline you are flying, a one hour layover won't be enough time to buy anything. Some airlines have moved to boarding at 40 min before takeoff, and it'll take you 5-10 minutes to get off the first plane. I've had one hour layovers where I had to RUN through the airport to get to the next gate in time.

When I fly, which I do often, I typically bring the following: a protein bar, a piece of fruit (something firm like an apple), and a small sweet like a couple dark chocolate Kisses. If it's a long flight or I'll be on the plane during a meal time, I will add in a pre-made sandwich and do what a PP said: bring ice in a double Ziploc, throw out the ice before security, then get more ice after security. It's always worked perfectly for me. I also like the idea someone had about frozen grapes! If you pre-make a sandwich, make sure you either choose a sturdy bread or use condiment packets and add them on the plane. You don't want a soggy sandwich

 

[Andreas Mom]

BTW, something else to consider are go picnic boxes that come with, depending on the box, slices of salami or turkey pepperoni, black bean hummus, crackers, cheese spread, plantain chips, nut mixes, dessert of some kind like a caramel bar, fruit leather, etc. Target has them and they are shelf-stable so no refrigeration.

I'll have to see if I can find some at a good price!! Great idea, thanks!

 

[Andreas Mom]

Depending on what airport you are going to and which airline you are flying, a one hour layover won't be enough time to buy anything. Some airlines have moved to boarding at 40 min before takeoff, and it'll take you 5-10 minutes to get off the first plane. I've had one hour layovers where I had to RUN through the airport to get to the next gate in time.

When I fly, which I do often, I typically bring the following: a protein bar, a piece of fruit (something firm like an apple), and a small sweet like a couple dark chocolate Kisses. If it's a long flight or I'll be on the plane during a meal time, I will add in a pre-made sandwich and do what a PP said: bring ice in a double Ziploc, throw out the ice before security, then get more ice after security. It's always worked perfectly for me. I also like the idea someone had about frozen grapes! If you pre-make a sandwich, make sure you either choose a sturdy bread or use condiment packets and add them on the plane. You don't want a soggy sandwich

Our two flights are with the same airline so I'm hoping the connection won't be too bad.

 

[Andreas Mom]

I'm following along, great ideas. We are flying to Aulani in late May; we have a short flight to Dallas at the crack of dawn, a short layover, and then 8-8.5 hr direct flight to HNL. I don't know if there will be lunch type places open in Dallas that early, or if we will even have time to wait in line to buy something. I don't want to have to buy the expensive, crappy stuff on the plane, and my kids wouldn't like it anyway. So, I definitely want to find something more filling than just snack items.

That's similar to us but going the other direction....Washington to Florida. Have a great time!

 

[damskipi13]

Our two flights are with the same airline so I'm hoping the connection won't be too bad.

In that case, on the off chance you are running late make sure you ask the flight attendants from flight #1 to call your next flight and tell them you are on your way. I've had to do this twice and they held the door open for me a few extra minutes. I really appreciated it!

 

[Gorechick]

I'm following along, great ideas. We are flying to Aulani in late May; we have a short flight to Dallas at the crack of dawn, a short layover, and then 8-8.5 hr direct flight to HNL. I don't know if there will be lunch type places open in Dallas that early, or if we will even have time to wait in line to buy something. I don't want to have to buy the expensive, crappy stuff on the plane, and my kids wouldn't like it anyway. So, I definitely want to find something more filling than just snack items.

On our flight to Aulani in January, I packed a small/medium soft sided lunch bag with Hormel power packs, bananas, goldfish, applesauce pouches, and baby carrots. It was just enough to snack on throughout the long flight.

 

[rnorwo1]

A

On our flight to Aulani in January, I packed a small/medium soft sided lunch bag with Hormel power packs, bananas, goldfish, applesauce pouches, and baby carrots. It was just enough to snack on throughout the long flight.

applesauce wouldn't count as a liquid? I know it's not, but I Would wonder if security would flag it. I wonder if yogurt or pudding would, those freeze well and can be used as an ice pack. i can't wait to see Aulani, but I'm dreading this flight!

 

[brucelegs03884]

A

applesauce wouldn't count as a liquid? I know it's not, but I Would wonder if security would flag it. I wonder if yogurt or pudding would, those freeze well and can be used as an ice pack. i can't wait to see Aulani, but I'm dreading this flight!

If your yogurt is under 3 oz. (kiddie sized) you are fine I do it all the time

 

[Giraffeitis]

So with a quick google search I found this blog post about foods to bring on the airplane:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/08/staff-picks-what-to-eat-on-airplane.html

So that brings me to my ideas. Since you have quite a few mouths to feed, I think the muffins idea, sounds great, I'd also bring some fruit for a breakfast snack if that doesn't fill you guys up, and maybe some granola?

For the lunch flight, I would totally buy a loaf (or two) of French bread and make an awesome sandwich (or two) for everyone to enjoy and if you can get your hands on some of those mayo/mustard packets, then you wouldn't have to worry about soggy bread! Or put the condiments in the middle of the sandwich like they mention in the blog post, ha-ha

Just an idea, seems like there's plenty of great ones already though

 

[Giraffeitis]

Another idea I just got would be that you could pack wraps or breakfast burritos or something, semi-easy to make and store, and if made properly not a huge mess for the kiddos either.

 

[rnorwo1]

If your yogurt is under 3 oz. (kiddie sized) you are fine I do it all the time

Great, thanks!

 

[aprilgail]

we usually bring peanut butter and crackers- even on longer flights we don't really eat other than snacking. I guess if we ever flew more than 6 hours we would have to but we haven't flown that far yet.

 

[pjlla]

No time to read all of the previous replies, but here are my quick thoughts....

no nuts.... people with nut allergies have issues in enclosed spaces with the potential of air-borne particles.

nothing too stinky... no tuna or egg salad.

nothing that isn't reasonably shelf-stable.... ice packs are a PITA.

nothing too sloppy/drippy/messy.

stuff that is easy and not too squishy.... sandwiches on bagels or tortillas instead of fragile bread, apples instead of apple sauce, pretzels instead of chips (too fragile).

Pack it ALL in something that can be tossed... wrap sandwiches in foil and pack it all in brown paper bags.... easy to toss!.........P

 

[ahutton]

My ideas play off of some of the above...

If nuts are ok on the flight, individual pouches of almond butter or peanut butter can be squeezed between pop tarts for a unique breakfast sandwich. I feel better if the kids have the extra protein with them. You could also use those pouches on toasted and packed from home english muffins or bagels.

Planters makes Nut-Trition pouches - the Blueberry Morning flavor is a family favorite.

The individual packets of almonds, cashews and raisins are yummy

Raisins, yogurt covered raisins and craisins are good and portable.

We did get breakfast sandwiches this last trip before our very early morning flight after we were through security. Then used the other stuff as snacks, and what we didn't eat on the plane we had in the hotel for later.

If security has issue with the pouches of peanut butter or almond butter - would any member of your party have enough room in their TSA approved quart sized bag to put those in it? In our case, I packed the liquid bags for the kids and we used some of their space for things I was concerned TSA might be concerned about. We ended up having no trouble, and after we were through security I repacked that stuff into a gallon size bag in my carry on so that I could "control" access to stuff.

 

[Andreas Mom]

In that case, on the off chance you are running late make sure you ask the flight attendants from flight #1 to call your next flight and tell them you are on your way. I've had to do this twice and they held the door open for me a few extra minutes. I really appreciated it!

I will if I need too! My parents are in the front of the plane and we are in the back so I think they will watch for us too!

 

[manning]

Do not bring tuna on a plane!!! Or anything smelly like boiled eggs.

You can bring fruit (apples, bananas, grapes, etc.)
Granola bars, jerky, or nuts are good choices.

Ah gee, does that mean I can't have my Limburger cheese sandwich?

 

[Disneyliscious]

Cherry tomatoes
Celery sticks
Baby carrots
All placed in a tupperware type container with a pack of ranch dressing from a pizza/salad place.

For our carnivores, I pack up boneless bbq wings and just eat them at room temp (just make sure to have a wet wipe handy). These also go well with the veggies and ranch dip.