Packing a lunch for the plane?

[GEM]

I have a bit of dilema that I was hoping to get some advice on.

My mom, son (20 months at the time), and I will be flying down to Orlando in December. Our flight leaves Tulsa at 7:30a.m. and we are planning to be at the airport by 6:15a.m., which means we will be leaving home about 5:30a.m.

We will have some sort of breakfast before our flight - either at home, or on the way (McDonalds or something), or at the airport.

My question is about lunch. Our flight doesn't touch down in orlando until 1:00p.m. and I figure it will be after 2:00p.m. by the time we get to our resort and get checked in. I know that we will be STARVED by then, especially since we will have eaten a really early breakfast. We do have a connection, but the layover is a very short one and we won't have time to grab anything to eat then.

I was already planning, of course, to have some snacks, etc. for my son to keep him happy on the plane, but I am now thinking about packing a lunch for all three of us. Just a sandwhich and some chips and some fruit or something. I'm talking about a little lunchbox size soft-sided cooler - not a jumbo ice chest or anything.

First is this ok to do? Will I be able to carry it on? (That's probably a silly question, but I've never flown with food before.) Could we stick a couple of bottles of juice or cans of coke in their too? Will we look like crazy people eating our picnic on the plan?

Also, do you have any suggestions on what might be good to take? I don't ever pack a lunch, so I would like to know what holds up well, doesn't get too smashed or soggy, etc. Any suggestions?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

They will give you soda so you won't need to pack that unless you want a certain type or want it at a time that they are not serving. Usually I drink the airline soda and bring a bottle of water.

As to the food, you are allowed to bring whatever you want on the plane. Go easy on foods that are smelly (that sounds bad, but you know what I mean--I don't mean to imply that you are a bad cook lol). Maybe sub sandwiches. That bread doesn't get as squished. Add a little bag of chips for each of you and maybe some baby carrots. Don't forget something sweet!

T&B

 

[Kimberle]

Sure, you're allowed to bring food. I'd just pack it in a small soft sided lunch pack. (Like you send w/ a child to school). Just add a small freezer pack. Later, when you're going to the parks, you can use it to keep some water/sodas/juice boxes cold with ice from the ice machine.

Also, some airlines sell meals. When we flew Song last year, they had quite a selection. A bit more expensive than the deli, but not to bad.

 

[NotUrsula]

We have a deli that we like that is en route to our airport from home. I call ahead and have them make me up a boxed meal; they have boxes just for this purpose. I put the whole mess in an insulated fabric tote that closes securely, and aboard I go. (Make sure about that "closes securely" part, especially if you are bringing anything in a glass container, like baby food. I once had a glass bottle of orange juice smashed at security when it rolled out of a carryon and smashed against the x-ray machine. The screener had decided to flip the bag over and did it kind of roughly.) BTW, the extra lunch box is usually allowed through security even if we are over limit on carryons, which can happen if we plan to eat in the airport while we wait.

I usually get DS a Lunchable w/ a juice sac for a flight, he is ordinarily not allowed to have them, so this is a special treat.

I agree that you should avoid strong-smelling foods and also those that involve bones or peels to dispose of. No garlic salami or fried chicken, for instance.

 

[Pinnie]

I recently flew DTW-BNA-LAX on SWA and packed ham and cheese sandwiches on rye for myself. DH and our friend. Let me tell you I could have made a mint on that plane because everyone near us wanted one. Same with the homemade double chocolate brownies we brought along.

pinnie

 

[Tigger&Belle]

NotUrsula, I thought about suggesting a deli type place, but since they're leaving for the airport early in the morning I figured that places would still be closed. They could be picked up the night before if they wouldn't get too soggy.

T&B

 

[tjmw2727]

I always pack a lunch when we fly along with some snacks (some fun some healthy!) and usually drinks as well. I freeze a couple of the lunchbox size waters (8oz I think?) as ice packs and then we have an extra drink - usually by the time we hit the rental or towncar we LOVE that cold water.

I pack sandwiches but nothing with an odor and I don't pack PB just in case someone allergic is on the flight. Lately I have been packing plastic single serve bottles of juice and soda as they can be re-sealed for later or during turbulance and you don't have to wait for the attendant to serve you.

TJ

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We will also be flying over lunch. I am going to pack a lunchable for DD. She has never had one, but I know she likes the meat/cheese/crackers. It should also keep her entertained for a while.

The rest of us will probably just have some snacks. I think I might get some bagels and cream cheese from Panera Bread. That would be something good to eat.

 

[prncess674]

bagel sandwiches hold up well and don't tend to get squished. Try snagging some mayo/ustard m packs from a fast food establishment the next time you are at one. That way you can add the condiments when you are ready to consume them and you won't have to worry about the condiments going bad. Instead of a lunch I usually bring along snacks. I figure going hungry for a little while won't kill me. I am a road warrior for work (travel by plane to and from work every week) and always have an arsenal of snacks in my carry on bag. easy snacks are pretzels, granola bars, raisins, apples, bananas are okay but they get smushed easily, string cheese, m&m's, pre-packaged cracker sandwiches. But the one thing I always have is atleast 1/2 liter of water for domestic flights and a liter for international flights. many times the flight attendants wont pass out drinks if you are on a long ground delay and water is the best thing for hydration. I stay completely away of caffeine and soft drinks while in the air. If you do decide to pack a lunch don't forget some napkins!

 

[gigi1313]

our favorite travel food is cheese and crackers... string cheese is great and easy to pack... and that bright orange cheese-food in a can is a big hit w/the kids...

there was someone on our 7am swa flight w/some seriously smelly food (and i'm not talking coffee!) and it was quite nauseating to us... so, be considerate! LOL!

 

[NotUrsula]

re: cheese on flights. Be careful about this if your child has a delicate stomach &/or any tendency to airsickness. DS had reflux, and for years we had to make sure that he did not get any cheese to eat during a flight or just before it; it would invariably cause him to throw up, and cheese is one of the more horrendous foods to have to deal with when that happens. Even cheese-flavored Goldfish were a problem.

I usually tell people to steer well clear of any kind of dairy for children during flights until they are SURE it will not contribute to digestive distress. It's also good to stay away from any brightly-coloured foods/drinks for the same reason, unless you know that it won't be an issue.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
It's also good to stay away from any brightly-coloured foods/drinks for the same reason, unless you know that it won't be an issue.

Or match the juice and shirt/pants color... Spoken like a mom who has a son who throws up very easily!

I'd never heard that about dairy and digestive problems (other than allergies or lactose intolerance). I'll pay attention to that with my son.

T&B

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I'll be in this "no meals served" situation this Nov also. We got a free air miles flight that will be making a few stops before we get to Orlando. No meals will be served so I am packing my own muffins,etc. I figure if a major company like an airline is not embarrassed to "not feed us" then why should I be embarrassed to pack a lunch??

 

[ladydancer]

I agree with others about the smelly foods such as...tuna fish, egg salad and some kinds of meat.

I'm usually taking a morning flight so a bagel is what I usually take on the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

Dairy (incl. cheese) can make airsickness worse b/c it is a bit viscous, and comes up easily. It doesn't *cause* airsickness in any way, but if a child is teetering on the brink of throwing up, the presence of dairy in his stomach is likely to make it a sure thing.

The other problem with dairy is that it curdles the minute you ingest it, which means that the smell is guaranteed to be especially nasty if the worst happens.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Just don't pack tuna. Balogna can be a pretty irratating smell to your fellow passengers as well.
Also, stay away from anything greasy. You don't want your stomach doing funky things on a plane that only has a 3x3 bathroom, and usually a mile long line to use it. It's not fun.

 

[vellamint]

On our last trip we bought Subway sandwiches the night before and just asked that all dressing being on the side. It worked out really well.

 

[jann1033]

daughters bf was a flight attendant till 9/11 ( laid off then) and he brings... whatever he wants from a nearby rest. or airport food court...like chinese food, subway, pizza...what ever..says everyone always drools while he enjoys his meal except of course any airsick ones