lunch on the plane ride

[williamson_ja]

I don't want to pay $8 a piece for our family of 6 to eat lunch on the plane. Our flight is from 9:00 am-4:30 pm and therefore requires that we eat something! What are some good ideas for lunch on the plane? We brought pb+j sandwiches last year, but the jam leaked through the bread and made soggy sandwiches. We won't have a cooler. Can you give me some quick ideas? We leave on Friday for a night over at my mom's then fly out Saturday morning.
Can you help me out?
BTW I am bringing kids the following ages: 5, 12, 13, 15, 16. The older ones are pretty big eaters.

 

[scrapquitler]

I don't want to pay $8 a piece for our family of 6 to eat lunch on the plane. Our flight is from 9:00 am-4:30 pm and therefore requires that we eat something! What are some good ideas for lunch on the plane? We brought pb+j sandwiches last year, but the jam leaked through the bread and made soggy sandwiches. We won't have a cooler. Can you give me some quick ideas? We leave on Friday for a night over at my mom's then fly out Saturday morning.
Can you help me out?
BTW I am bringing kids the following ages: 5, 12, 13, 15, 16. The older ones are pretty big eaters.

The trick to keeping the PB&J from getting soggy is to put a coating of peanut butter on both pieces of bread and then add the jelly on top of that.

How about some cheese/crackers/pepperoni and veggie sticks with hummus and grapes? You'll have to buy drinks after security, or bring a refillable water bottle empty and fill it once you past security. Fresh fruit like apples or oranges will travel fine and don't need to be refrigerated.

Or stop somewhere like Subway on the way to the airport and buy a few $5 footlong subs. Have them cut each in 3 or 4 pieces to make it easier to eat. Add some pretzels or chips.

 

[Tinkh]

Uncrustables. They are prepackaged, so no soggy.

 

[VAfamily1998]

The trick to keeping the PB&J from getting soggy is to put a coating of peanut butter on both pieces of bread and then add the jelly on top of that.

Not the OP, but thanks for that hint!

 

[shoney]

I vote for the cheese, pepperoni, hummus too!

You could also make a big bowl of pasta salad with an oil and vingar base. Toss in garlic (I always saute the garlic in the oil), basil, chick peas, tomatoes, red pepper, etc. This can be eaten room temp. Just bring paper/plastic bowls and forks.

 

[Kitzka]

I hate paying airport prices for food. So i tend to either stop on the way and get subway as a PP mentions or even stop at a place with prepackaged food. Usually better and healthier for my family

Lara

 

[cinderella97]

There's little cans of chicken salad with crackers. You can find them next to the tuna. PB and nutella sandwiches.

 

[Fly4free]

Just be careful with the hummus, since TSA would probably confiscate it for being liquid like. I was traveling with a friend who had a small container of egg salad confiscated for that reason

When I travel with my kids I always pack everyone good deli bagels (and put a thin layer of cream cheese on them). Snacks of trail mix with some nuts for protein are also good. Fresh fruit is always good.

For lunch I pack sandwiches made of good fresh rolls. If your kids like Hickory Farms beef stick it travels well, but I usually take a small soft sided cooler for sandwiches. I often take an empty water bottle to refill once thru security and those single serve lemonade mixers.

Make each child a backpack or small carry on of their own and include all lunch and snacks. Also have them carry their own games/activities.

Have fun!

 

[bankr63]

Same lunch for the plane that we take to the parks:

Packages of Beef Jerky - great protein and low fat.
GORP - we make our own from the bulk food shop.
Carrots and Celery sticks.
Granola bars.

These are relatively healthy and filling, and don't require refrigeration or upset the TSA guys.

M Ross

 

[Catira]

We usually stop at Quiznos on our way to airport. If not, I'll go to the grocery store the night before and get all the ingredients to make our own sandwiches. I'll take left mayonaisse and mustard packs (from restaurant leftovers) and who ever wants can add it to their sandwich. I also buy individual bags of chips, since everyone wants a different kind. Of course, kids always want a snack, so we also take granola bars, roll-ups, etc.

Have a great trip!

 

[LilyWDW]

A container of hummus may be taken as a "gel" type item. It doesn't hold it's shape very well when removed from the container, which seems to be the idea.

Also be careful with nuts. If someone on board has a peanut allergy you may be asked to not consume products with peanuts in them. Sadly, this is usually not announced before boarding, so it is better to just keep it in mind.

 

[sydneysmom]

I like to get bagels and do a thin layer of cream cheese and some turkey or roast beef. They're filling and keep together well. The other thing is some grapes and a banana and some muffins. The muffins are trickier because you have to be kind of careful they don't crush. But blueberry muffins and fruit are a nice light lunch too.

(now I've got Dunkin Donuts blueberry muffins in my head.....they're SO good!!)

 

[suzannews]

FYI...I had a jar of peanut butter taken by security at the Orlando airport this summer. They said its considered liquid and could not go through.

 

[williamson_ja]

FYI...I had a jar of peanut butter taken by security at the Orlando airport this summer. They said its considered liquid and could not go through.

I usually take the sandwiches premade so I haven't run into the peanut butter getting taken before.

 

[williamson_ja]

I like to get bagels and do a thin layer of cream cheese and some turkey or roast beef. They're filling and keep together well. The other thing is some grapes and a banana and some muffins. The muffins are trickier because you have to be kind of careful they don't crush. But blueberry muffins and fruit are a nice light lunch too.

(now I've got Dunkin Donuts blueberry muffins in my head.....they're SO good!!)

Great ideas here. I think I might try the bagels and cream cheese. Sounds yummy!! My kids are hooked on ritz crackers and I already bought a package of those. So, I also might try to bring some cheese slices to go with the crackers. I love these ideas. Keep them coming!

 

[ancestry]

I usually take the sandwiches premade so I haven't run into the peanut butter getting taken before.

But if you are on a flight with someone who has a peanut or nut allergy the flight crew may make an announcement asking that no food with peanuts or nuts be eaten during the flight.

I don't take peanut based products because I don't want to be counting on eating them only to find out they have been banned from that specific flight and we end up going hungry.

 

[williamson_ja]

But if you are on a flight with someone who has a peanut or nut allergy the flight crew may make an announcement asking that no food with peanut or nut be eaten during the flight.

I don't take peanut based products because I don't want to be counting on eating them only to find out they have been banned from that specific flight.

Never thought of that. Thank you!

 

[carrie_106]

I always go to Wal Mart and get the carrots and dip and the apples and caramel, they are $1 each. Then I get the premade salads, many different kinds, they are $3 each. They come with napkins, and forks in the package. We have also done lunchables before also.

 

[Hannathy]

Peanut butter can be eaten if there is someone with an allergy on the plane unless you plan on giving them some. It isn't airborne and I would be eating my peanut butter.

peanut butter on ritz is also good

 

[scrapquitler]

A container of hummus may be taken as a "gel" type item. It doesn't hold it's shape very well when removed from the container, which seems to be the idea.

I should have thought of that, but didn't.