Flying at lunchtime with toddler

[dskib]

What do you all do about food for kids when flying? Do the airlines let you bring in prepackaged food?

DS will be 4, and our flight leaves at 11:00am, so I'd like to bring him something to eat on the plane. He's pretty picky, and I like it to be healthy, so I didn't really want to buy anything at the airport.

I'm guessing I can't bring a freezer pack to keep things cold?

Thanks,
Deb

 

[dudspizza]

What do you all do about food for kids when flying? Do the airlines let you bring in prepackaged food?

DS will be 4, and our flight leaves at 11:00am, so I'd like to bring him something to eat on the plane. He's pretty picky, and I like it to be healthy, so I didn't really want to buy anything at the airport.

I'm guessing I can't bring a freezer pack to keep things cold?

Thanks,
Deb

You can bring food. The only thing you can't bring are liquids and gels.

One suggestion here on the DIS has been to freeze some grapes and use them to keep food cold until you get on the plane......

Duds

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes you can bring food.

A suggestion, if you will...try to avoid peanut products, just in case there's someone on the plane who might have a horrible reaction to it (or just be fearful if they smell it...some say that peanut butter can't cause a reaction from inhalation as the peanut dust doesn't travel to be inhaled, but even if true, I imagine it would cause some serious fear in a person who doesn't *know* that it's peanut *butter* they are smelling). If the child loves peanuts, eat those at the gate (where people can get further away from you if needed), and leave the other non-allergenic foods for the actual plane experience.

I never thought of that until someone mentioned it in a thread, and I was very glad they mentioned it!

 

[laughinplace199]

If we are going to be flying at meal time, we usually bring things like string cheese, crackers, fruit, and even dry cereal (my kids don't put milk on their cereal ). We also freeze a baggie of grapes or baby carrots to use as an ice pack.

I also pack snacks like Goldfish, Teddy Grahams, Pringles, etc.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm guessing I can't bring a freezer pack to keep things cold?

Yes, you can.

Why not check out the tsa.gov website? All the rules are posted there.

Do the airlines let you bring in prepackaged food?

The airlines don't make the rules; these are made by TSA.

 

[dskib]

Yes, you can.

Why not check out the tsa.gov website? All the rules are posted there.



The airlines don't make the rules; these are made by TSA.

I did check TSA.gov thanks, but I didn't see anything about a freezer pack, and they DEFINITELY didn't give me any snack/meal ideas for my little guy.

But I have a big fat thank you to everyone who actually answered my question with an answer rather than a statement that essentially told me to go elsewhere for information and ideas.

The frozen grapes are a FABULOUS idea!!! Thanks so much!!!

Deb

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I did check TSA.gov thanks, but I didn't see anything about a freezer pack, and they DEFINITELY didn't give me any snack/meal ideas for my little guy.

I said to check TSA for the rules about what you can take on a plane, not for snack ideas If you read the link I posted, it does indeed mention carrying on frozen items. The TSA website also answers questions about what food is allowed to be carried on.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Freezer packs are considered gel and are not allowed through security, unless you need it to keep medications cold, then there is an exemption.

 

[tjmw2727]

I always pack a meal for my kids in a soft sided lunchbox/cooler. Usually whatever they like for lunch, usually sandwich, fruit, vegies and snacks. As a pp said frozen grapes or carrots are allowed and make a great ice pack.

I then purchase drinks after security and add them to the soft sided cooler so we have what we like when we want it without waiting on the FA to serve. If your 4yo likes a sippie cup just bring one in your carryon empty and fill it when he wants the drink.

Avoid jello, pudding, applesauce and even prepackaged fruit with the syrup/juice as it falls under the liquid gell rules. Make sure your condiments are on the sandwich otherwise the condiment packs have to go in your 3-1-1 bag.

I also avoid nuts and peanut butter in case of an allergic person on the flight. It happended just yesterday in fact and the FA didn't announce it until we were getting the safety speech.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, tell us specifically what your toddler eats and we'll tell you whether you can get it through security as well as whether it might be offensive or hazardous to other passengers (general information which has already been offered).

But in exact response to your exact question: no, the airlines don't care if you bring food for yourself, your toddler, or anyone else in your party. Heck, if you could get a sheet cake through security, probably the entire planeload of passengers and crew would be happy that you share it with them!

Even airlines that sell their own prepackaged meals let passengers bring their own. On fact, entirely disposable packaging/bags of food to be consumed in flight don't even count toward your carry-on count!

 

[crashbb]

I said to check TSA for the rules about what you can take on a plane, not for snack ideas If you read the link I posted, it does indeed mention carrying on frozen items. The TSA website also answers questions about what food is allowed to be carried on.

The site mentions frozen items in reference to MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS, not to FOOD.

Additionally, we are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:

* All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
* Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
* Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
* Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
* Frozen items are allowed as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 requirements.

I also don't see any mention about what food is allowed (other than that which would be covered by the 3.4oz rule).

I can easily see why the OP is confused.

OP - you've gotten some good advice. I second Bumber's advice about avoiding peanuts/nuts, if possible. There have been reports of people being asked not to eat such products - easier to just avoid them entirely.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Almond butter makes a nice alternative to peanut butter if you're concerned. An almond butter and banana sandwich doesn't need refrigeration, either. I make a custom trail mix from dried cherries, walnuts, almonds and unsweetened coconut flakes. A handful will tide us over until we can get a meal. Sliced apples (or whole), bananas, carrots and grapes (as mentioned above) are also good ideas. I tend to pick things that need no cooler because I find it a pain to tote around later.

 

[dskib]

This is great. Thanks so much!! I appreciate the ideas. I guess My biggest worry was taking something that wouldn't need to be kept cool since I didn't think a gel pack would be allowed. I really didn't want to buy fast food at the airport.

Thanks again,
deb

 

[dudspizza]

This is great. Thanks so much!! I appreciate the ideas. I guess My biggest worry was taking something that wouldn't need to be kept cool since I didn't think a gel pack would be allowed. I really didn't want to buy fast food at the airport.

Thanks again,
deb

I just had a giggle... our last trip we brought breakfast bars to eat at the airport. The other family had a couple of donuts left and asked us if we wanted them. I tossed them in the bag and they not only went thru security with us, but they made it to the rental house in Orlando..... we finally ate them a few days later...... we returned march 20th...... I just ate one of the breakfast bars this morning that made the round trip from MSP to MCO with us........ well traveled breakfast bars, I tell you!

Duds