Food on a plane

[EveDallas]

We are leaving for Orlando in about five days - had to reschedule from our Dec trip so I am scrambling to get things done. I was able to reschedule our flights but had to settle for a departing flight that has a layover in Ft. Lauderdale, We will be getting into Orlando at 1:30PM. My son is diabetic and needs to eat on a regular schedule so he will need lunch sometime in flight. Problem is I have never had to take food on a flight in several years so not sure what is allowed. Obviously no liquids but I assume sealed bags of chips would be ok? Maybe sandwiches in a small cooler? Are sandwiches allowed past security? I can buy at the airport if I have to but choices are limited and $$$$.

 

[AndreaDM]

I don’t know if your son can eat these, but I recently took Uncrustables on a flight. I took them frozen so by the time we ate them they were perfect. No problem through security.

 

[runjulesrun]

Sandwiches and chips are fine as are any type of solid food. They won't allow ice packs or liquids. Food options in the airports I have been in recently are very limited. You are better off bringing what you know will work for him than chancing what would be available.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just make sure it’s not smelly. My go to is a bagel, no need for a cooler.

 

[spiders]

You can take sandwiches through security. Buy drinks to take with you once you’re in the sterile area.

 

[BrianL]

Just a question, how does eating on a plane work with the mask mandates? Are you allowed to unmask to eat in your seat? I know they have cut most snack and beverage service on flights. I assume they can make exceptions, but it seems relevant.

To the OP, solid foods are fine through security, so sandwiches and such are all good. They are strict on liqids and semi-liquids, so like a yogurt pack or something might be an issue.

 

[monsterkitty]

We usually get Firehouse or Subway subs before we get to the airport. We have never had a problem taking our food past security. We then buy drinks before we get on the plane.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

They are good about foods that are sealed in packages, for the most part. A cold-cut sandwich should be fine, a dripping meatball sub is probably not. Chips are fine.
Bring an empty clear water bottle and fill up once you are past security. Or buy a venti drink at Starbucks so you have the large cup

And I am guessing your son isn't a toddler, so make sure that he isn't maskless, eating, and distracted when the flight crew asks everyone to prepare for take-off. From what I can gather, all of the troubles with families getting kicked off the flight revolved around what happens during the take-off procedure. Too many parents plop their kids down and then immediately start giving them food and distractions, pull down their tray, get the iPad ready, etc. and then they are just SHOCKED that the flight crew is like, "buckle up, masks on, bags under the seat, loose items put away, trays up, pay attention to the emergency message and don't move around until we are at cruising altitude". LOL

 

[tzolkin]

Just a question, how does eating on a plane work with the mask mandates? Are you allowed to unmask to eat in your seat? I know they have cut most snack and beverage service on flights. I assume they can make exceptions, but it seems relevant.

From my most recent experience flying last week, they cut the food/beverage service, but they still gave out snacks. Instead of coming through with a cart and pouring beverages, they had pre-packaged bags that contained crackers, cookies, a small water bottle, hand sanitizer, and a napkin. Everyone pulled their mask down or removed minimally while eating/drinking.

The flights were also seated every other seat, so while not quite 6 feet, there was some distance between people. On one of my flights there were only 14 people on the entire plane so everyone got their own row.

 

[soccerdad72]

Just a question, how does eating on a plane work with the mask mandates? Are you allowed to unmask to eat in your seat? I know they have cut most snack and beverage service on flights. I assume they can make exceptions, but it seems relevant.

I believe you are allowed to lower your mask while eating or drinking during a flight.

 

[Lilsia]

You can take pretty much any food with you that is solid. You will have to get your drink after security. I just flew yesterday and there were people bringing food on board. You just eat it like normal and put your mask back on when you are done. I flew SWA and they served only ice water and some pretzel snacks. There were no issues just as long as you put your mask back on when done.

 

[spiders]

They are good about foods that are sealed in packages, for the most part. A cold-cut sandwich should be fine, a dripping meatball sub is probably not. Chips are fine.
Bring an empty clear water bottle and fill up once you are past security. Or buy a venti drink at Starbucks so you have the large cup

And I am guessing your son isn't a toddler, so make sure that he isn't maskless, eating, and distracted when the flight crew asks everyone to prepare for take-off. From what I can gather, all of the troubles with families getting kicked off the flight revolved around what happens during the take-off procedure. Too many parents plop their kids down and then immediately start giving them food and distractions, pull down their tray, get the iPad ready, etc. and then they are just SHOCKED that the flight crew is like, "buckle up, masks on, bags under the seat, loose items put away, trays up, pay attention to the emergency message and don't move around until we are at cruising altitude". LOL

Eating, watching an iPad aren’t a problem anymore at any phase of flight. The requirement to stow electronics below 10,000 went away years ago unless it’s a laptop.

Of course, if a flight attendant tells you to do something then you do it. I don’t know where people get this idea that they have any type of authority while on board an aircraft.

 

[BrianL]

From my most recent experience flying last week, they cut the food/beverage service, but they still gave out snacks. Instead of coming through with a cart and pouring beverages, they had pre-packaged bags that contained crackers, cookies, a small water bottle, hand sanitizer, and a napkin. Everyone pulled their mask down or removed minimally while eating/drinking.

The flights were also seated every other seat, so while not quite 6 feet, there was some distance between people. On one of my flights there were only 14 people on the entire plane so everyone got their own row.

I believe you are allowed to lower your mask while eating or drinking during a flight.

Thanks. I just haven't been on a flight since all of this started. I figured there was some kind of allowance, but I wasn't sure.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

They are strict on liqids and semi-liquids, so like a yogurt pack or something might be an issue.

My MIL, when she was about 85, got stopped by security and had to throw away the yogurt she brought to ear. LOL

 

[tzolkin]

Thanks. I just haven't been on a flight since all of this started. I figured there was some kind of allowance, but I wasn't sure.

I did not see any info prior to boarding other than "masks required to be worn during the entire duration of travel" and I had also seen notes that food and beverage services was suspended so I did not know what to expect either until I got on the plane and they started handing out the snack bags.

 

[mousefan73]

My friend has a bag of cherry tomatoes taken. I guess the liquid content was too much or the guy was being a you know what. Pudding cups also a nogo. Sandwiches etc. all ok.

 

[spiders]

I did not see any info prior to boarding other than "masks required to be worn during the entire duration of travel" and I had also seen notes that food and beverage services was suspended so I did not know what to expect either until I got on the plane and they started handing out the snack bags.

That’s because policies have to be written to cover the...well, I don’t think I can use the word, factor. It’s the part where you have to take into account that you’ll have that one guy who wants to sit maskless with a sandwich in his hand pretending that he is still “eating” after 30 minutes.

 

[cabanafrau]

Eating, watching an iPad aren’t a problem anymore at any phase of flight. The requirement to stow electronics below 10,000 went away years ago unless it’s a laptop.

Of course, if a flight attendant tells you to do something then you do it. I don’t know where people get this idea that they have any type of authority while on board an aircraft.

I don't believe the person you quoted mentioned an iPad specifically in relation to any regulations about electronics, rather in regard to trays out and loose, unstowed items until the aircraft has reached cruising altitude.

 

[bavaria]

Just a question, how does eating on a plane work with the mask mandates? Are you allowed to unmask to eat in your seat? I know they have cut most snack and beverage service on flights. I assume they can make exceptions, but it seems relevant.

I haven't flown a US airline recently, but other carriers allow you to eat and drink (imagine a 12 hour flight with no drinking!) Lufthansa still hands out snacks (no more sandwiches) on short haul flights in economy, and full meals in business (I was on a 45 min flight last week in business with a meal service) In theory you could sit and sip a bottle the entire time, which some people have tried to do to avoid wearing a mask, but I don't think that is in the spirit of the rules.

I did have a Lufthansa FA tell me recently to 'please put the mask on'. I was alone in an empty row in business, and I was very slowly eating a meal (because I need to eat slowly right now), so I'm not sure if she expected me to put on the mask between bites but that didn't happen. (I believe in CA some politician did advocate that recently in restaurants!)

 

[pigletgirl]

I haven't flown a US airline recently, but other carriers allow you to eat and drink (imagine a 12 hour flight with no drinking!) Lufthansa still hands out snacks (no more sandwiches) on short haul flights in economy, and full meals in business (I was on a 45 min flight last week in business with a meal service) In theory you could sit and sip a bottle the entire time, which some people have tried to do to avoid wearing a mask, but I don't think that is in the spirit of the rules.

I did have a Lufthansa FA tell me recently to 'please put the mask on'. I was alone in an empty row in business, and I was very slowly eating a meal (because I need to eat slowly right now), so I'm not sure if she expected me to put on the mask between bites but that didn't happen. (I believe in CA some politician did advocate that recently in restaurants!)

HA, that's the governor of CA who suggested pulling up the mask between bites. I don't think a sandwich is a big deal. Your son has a medical condition that requires attention. As long as it isn't tuna, eggs, etc you should do fine. For peace of mind, maybe call the airline to confirm?