Long Flights - BYOF?
So, tonight I am finally leaving on my first vacation in over six years and since I know that I will be traveling on a long flight, and that the food that they serve us (if we get any, because according to the website, even though it's intercontinental to Europe, we only get snacks and only if we want to buy them), I have decided to bring along my own food...namely: sushi (if you have seen my other posts, this would come as no surprise).
Has anyone else ever done this? Do you ever get funny looks from other passengers or the flight attendants? Do they ever try to tell you that you can't take it on the flight? And if you do bring something, what do you generally bring?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
51 Comments:
Tons of people bring their own food nowadays. And in some airports, they sell pre-packaged maki rolls for people to take on planes. I doubt anyone will bat an eye. I assume you're leaving from the United States to Europe? As long as you don't break the liquids regulations (are you bringing your own soy sauce?), you'll be fine.
kathryn at 11:35AM on 04/27/09
I am vegetarian, so even when there is some kind of food served, it's usually not something suitable for me.
I have this lunchbox that looks like a purse... I have brought sandwiches made at home or, if I do not have enough time, I have bought a Veggie Delight sandwich at the Subway at the airport.
I have taken fruit like bananas, apples or grapes. It's a challenge when traveling from PR because the Agriculture Dept regulates certain fruits with seeds. That's why bananas and strawberries are usually OK.
I also take with me granola bars, fruit leathers and chips. I am now addicted to traveling with Vitamin Water. I usually buy a bottle at the magazine place.
Always try that its things that I can dispose of the packaging once I am done eating.
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 11:41AM on 04/27/09
I think these days, it's more acceptable than before since many airlines are removing real (filling) food from their menus.
I don't bring food on flights, mainly because I make it a point to hit funky/interesting restaurants at the ap and I'm always fed at least one meal on the longest leg of my flight traveling from CLE to HNL. Since I always order a special meal (no salt/low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol), my food is pretty good, minus the hockey puck.
When I was a younger, I used to bring arare (Japanese rice crackers) because it was noisy and safe. Fruits and vegetables were things we never entertained because of the agricultural restrictions. I don't carry on snacks anymore because I always sleep through flights almost entirely (8+ hours), sometimes missing my meal.
Cassaendra at 11:51AM on 04/27/09
I always bring my own food. I am not the world's best traveller and plane rides, car rides, bus rides, basically any mode of transportation has the potential to make me really nauseous. Also, I had a really bad experience with plane food once and afterwards vowed always to bring my own food.
I was recently on a 13 hour flight and brought with me three sandwiches smeared with different types of hummus on a wheat baguette, a bag of carrots, a huge bag of grapes, and a huge bag of chocolate-peanut butter cereal. The stewardesses were really worried at first when I refused the inflight meal, (they were really nice and I think that they were mostly worried that I would starve), but one of them noticed the sandwich I was eating and left me alone after that and just offered me drinks. No one was sitting next to me at the time, but on other flights, I have brought my own food and no one seems to notice. By the way, I love the idea of bringing sushi on the plane, I will have to try that sometime soon! Hope you have a great trip!
Jj6407 at 11:53AM on 04/27/09
i always bring my own food, and have been doing it for years. usually it's a hunk of really good baguette spread with the best butter i can find, a bunch of raw cut up veggies and cherry tomatoes, a piece of whatever fruit is in season, and a nice pastry or a bar of good chocolate. i buy a bottle of water at the airport.
my general rule is to pack things that don't have much of an odor and that are easy to eat out of hand.
cybercita at 12:03PM on 04/27/09
Yeah, I also have lots of Luna bars, too, but mostly they are because I have a lot of early morning trains, and I will miss the hotel breakfasts and can't rely on always being able to hit up a local market before heading to the next spot. Plus, I made a bagel snadwich and have some animal crackers (again, per my previous postings and threads, i am still now again addicted to them).
Fortunately, although I have a mustard and turkey sandwich on an oniony everything bagel, I also made sure to bring along a toothbrush and paste. :) No need to totally offend the people next to me, right?
BTW, that eggplant sandwich looked fabulous!
Traveller at 12:22PM on 04/27/09
Always. If the airline serves food, it is generally substandard at best. Cybercita does have an excellent point, as the cabin is always crowded, and certain food odors, while pleasant in other places, seem to become noxious when confined to that small a space. Fruit is always good, unless it's durian.
beth1 at 12:22PM on 04/27/09
I always bring at least snacks, and sometimes a meal. I think it's fun to pack a creative boxed meal and I bring things I like, although I always steer clear of anything with a strong odor. (clearly, no tuna salad.) No one bats an eye. If anything, people look on longingly! On international flights I also bring trail mix and fruit for snacks, making sure not to overpack so I don't have customs issues. In my experience they hand out things like chips, but eating chips and sitting for 8-10 hours is a surefire way to feel gross.
marinelm at 12:34PM on 04/27/09
Airplane food sucks, so I always pack a peanut butter sandwich, some trail mix, and an apple. Then all I need is water on the plane.
ride&cook at 1:08PM on 04/27/09
In terms of getting looks/complaints from other passengers or the flight attendants:
try not to have anything too smelly or messy or loud/crunchy.
Once you eat something, remember that you'll have to deal with packaging thats leftover. If its a long flight, chances are, many other people will bring food too.
Personally, I usually don't bring whole meals with me. Even if airline food is crappy, traveling with food can be difficult. I'll either wait it out or eat something that they give me that isnt terrible (like a roll or packaged crackers)
How long is your flight? If its intercontinental, they really should be offering you something.
I once flew from Vientiane, Laos to Bangkok, Thailand and they gave us a meal anyway. The flight was less than an hour and a half long, too! As soon as we were cruising, they brought out carts ASAP and then collected everything again right before the descent. Crappy food, but VERY efficient service!
engmcmuffin at 1:09PM on 04/27/09
i always take a proscuitto & mozzarella sandwich or goat cheese and roasted veggie sandwich..... a couple of pieces of fruit .... or course, i bring my own bottled water which i have to get at the gate nowadays.... because the proscuitto can make you a little thirsty.
or a couple of pieces of cheese & some crackers.
the most interesting airline food i ever had was on aeroflot the russian airline: kasha, beets, a stew of some sort & apple compote (what they call juice) it was all really homemade tasting.
pooch at 1:12PM on 04/27/09
Everyone else here has pretty much said what I was going to say, but I wanted to comment on the irony of your "Traveller" screenname coupled with "first vacation in over six years." ;) Glad to see you're getting away from it all.
I usually try to pack a not-too-messy sandwich, trail mix, a small bottle of water, and some pain relievers in my carry-on. Even if you eat in the airport or nearby before the flight, it's still nice to have the option if you get hungry again.
And, this is admittedly a bit morbid, but the night before I do any air travel, I usually eat at one of my favorite places (often Di Fara Pizza). If anything goes wrong (knock on wood), at least I've had a great last meal.
Adam Kuban at 1:16PM on 04/27/09
Well, I have travelled *loads* in the past (mostly because I used to live in various places overseas), but I haven't in a few years, so I wasn't sure if there were new restrictions or anything like that. And before I guess that I wasn't too concerned over the quality, but given the state of the airlines nowadays and what they offer (when they do offer it), I just didn't want to be starving on a ten hour flight, and have to make a fast connection, meaning that I might not be able to grab something good in Amsterdam.. But I guess that Hungarian Airlines (my connecting morning flight) usually serves something good, so I have hope for that. :)
Traveller at 1:16PM on 04/27/09
@Adam: Believe me, I get it too. :( Unfortunately, I have been working too much and in graduate school for so long that I have only been able to do intra-US travel and long day trips or weekend excursions. This is my first time overseas in ages, and I cannot tell you how much I probably will not want to come back.
I plan on at least eating my way through these countries, though. Apparently I can try horse meat in Slovenia, pancakes in Slovakia, and of coursre chocolate (including the Sachertorte) in Vienna. :) So hungry for it all!!!
Traveller at 1:33PM on 04/27/09
I always bring my own. No one ever notices...and if they do it's because they're jealous that you thought ahead!!
The only time I ever noticed anyone else's food is if it's particularly pungent or plain smelly :)
I've also brought sushi many times :)
sweethunibabi at 1:47PM on 04/27/09
I pack:
>8 hour flight: Dramamine (to sleep through)
I refuse to pay $3 for a bottle of water at the airport and I'm against bottled water in general, so I fill up my own at a water fountain after security check.
Have a great vacation!
hmw0029 at 1:53PM on 04/27/09
DH and I always bring food on any flight over an hour. We even have it down to a science in terms of where to get the food from.
If we are departing LAX, we go to La Brea bakery and get the Farmers' tarts and some of those good baguettes with goat cheese and roasted baby artichokes.
From LAS, it's savory croissants and homemade whoopee pies (in season) from Bouchon Bakery (yet another reason to stay at the Venetian).
From LGA, we prefer knishes (potato are tasty warm or cold) and bagels. We are very happy that Zabar's will pack caviar and spreads to travel in an appropriate container (with a freezer pak!) and have travelled with their items in both checked luggage and carry-on with good results.
From home, we get sandwiches from our favorite deli, which we pass on the way to the airport (as long as it is not too too early). Sourdough bread, roasted turkey, prosciutto and chipotle mayo is a favorite! We also bring chocolate bars and other snacks that travel well (granola, wasabi peas and so on).
We could not eat them on the plane, but we had good success with having four Dungeness crabs packed to travel in Seattle and then steaming them as soon as we got home. Yum!
Of course, I also have an unreasonable fondness for the square cut fries at Nathan's. I always scope out airports in advance for Nathan's locations and plan accordingly. Messy to eat on the plane, but worth it!
Mizbee at 1:55PM on 04/27/09
i usually bring snacks too.
although once, this jerk brought on super stinky fast food & i truly had to hold myself back from completely freaking out on him.
gastronomeg at 2:21PM on 04/27/09
@sweethunibabi: I am so glad that I am not the only one! :)
Traveller at 2:24PM on 04/27/09
Bringing food is a given. Trail mix is my favorite thing since I try to sleep on long flights as much as possible, especially transatlantic, and hold off on eating until I get where I'm going. If I were going to Australia or the Pacific Rim, though, I'd reevaluate my practice :)
storyscribe at 8:49PM on 04/27/09
I bring food for longer flights, and like the rest of you I make sure to keep it non-stinky and not too perishable. The funniest situation I ever encountered was when an elderly lady became angry at me because I didn't offer her any of my personal pizza. Yeah, pizza is maybe not the wisest choice for a plane, but I was probably 11 or 12 years old. Anyway, this lady was sitting next to me and said, "ooh, that smells good," and looked at it enviously, then actually asked me for a slice when I was taking a while to eat it (was and am a slow eater). I was just a kid and had NO idea what to do, so I said I was saving it for later (which I was) and she proceeded to glare at me and huff and puff for the rest of the seven-hour flight. What a delight!
annatr at 8:57PM on 04/27/09
I even bring food on short flights. It gives me something to do.
ReneeRobinson at 8:58PM on 04/27/09
I take homemade beef jerky and goldfish crackers and usually grapes.
WSLunch at 10:13PM on 04/27/09
As long as it's not hot, smelly food...go for it! I was on a flight once where people brought McDonalds on...I almost barfed :-( (their kid was also playing video games with the sound on, but that's another story)
KateRuby at 11:12PM on 04/27/09
Anything non-smelly would work. On a flight I took last march, someone brought a sandwich on that REEKED of onions, it was awful.
I brought apples, babybel cheeses, homemade french bread, and some little snack packs of cookies, etc. I put it in a cooler lunch bag that kept things cool (but not cold).
omnomnom at 12:31AM on 04/28/09
My husband has been overseas quite a bit this year and while he does bring some food with him to eat on extended flights such as to China, Vietnam and Australia (departing from Syracuse, NY) it's always a slimjim or trail mix type of thing.
There was one flight in particular where he said, "it doesn't matter what the airlines serve or what I bring to eat. My appetite often depends upon my cabin mates. The screaming baby--no problem. The woman next to me, who reclined with her legs sprawled over my legs and then later fell aspleep on my shoulder with a rancid case of B.O. --Problem; no appetitie what so ever."
Disclaimer here! That woman was not me, although if I eat enough garlic and onions without my guy eating them also, he may also shy away from me for a day.
dhorst at 1:03AM on 04/28/09
I have a routine for carrying my own food everywhere when I'm travelling. I can't eat gluten or gluten by-products and so pack a roll or slices of bread, piece of fruit, small bag of vegetables, slice of cheese when travelling by air. I also spirit in a roll or slices of bread to restaurants. I've explained said presence to waitstaff and no one is perturbed. Few establishments have gluten-free crackers or bread products. Eating gluten-free is a creative process!
cienfuegos at 1:35AM on 04/28/09
Can't remember when I haven't brought my own food on flights. I usually bring my own veggie or vegan sandwiches, Larabars, carrots, and other snacks. I also always have some kind of bar or crackers in the car for the ride home because my husband usually sleeps and misses the meal. Keeps him from being cranky. ;D
hereandthe at 3:49AM on 04/28/09
Recently read Cooking for Mr Latte by Amanda Hesser and there is a chapter where she talks about bringing good food on the plane. It is definitely my new mo. I also remember having read about Gordon Ramsey's hampers to fly w/ http://www.gordonramsay.com/planefood/
katarina_santiago at 4:53AM on 04/28/09
We all know that bringing liquids from home is not allowed, but what about ice?
When you bring your sushi, how do you keep it cool? Can you load up your Mr.Bento with ice?
jumpyfroggy at 8:53AM on 04/28/09
I read an article once that a lot of business men actually pack an assortment of babyfood when going on long flights- I found this to be SOO strange. If it works it works I suppose..............
Nemis at 10:08AM on 04/28/09
Not sure if you've already checked this out, but this is a good blog in general about packed lunches, and this one's specific to food for flights:
http://lunchinabox.net/2007/09/26/disposable-lunches-for-airplane/
Personally, I always bring something when I fly, such as Trader Joe's roasted almonds, sandwiches (pick up mayo/mustard packets after the security checks), granola bars, to full-fledged meals (pasta salad, leftover steak,etc.). You never know if you'll be delayed or stuck somewhere with no other access to food!
Cupcake819 at 10:10AM on 04/28/09
These days its essential to take food on flights. Either they don't offer any, or you have to buy ridiculously expensive and unappetizing fare.
Also, I consider a vacation a free pass to eat anything I desire and so, along with things like sandwiches I always buy a box of Pringles and a bag of nuts.
I agree with some of the other posts that the food can be almost anything as long as it is not too stinky and smelly. If one is polite while eating - no one has ever given me trouble - fellow passengers or the crew.
http://www.indianculinarycenter.com
hameshahungry at 10:35AM on 04/28/09
Airline food makes me feel really ill. I usually have an iron stomach, and it has nothing to do with motion sickness, the food is just that wretched.
Damp cheeseburgers steamed in their own plastic bag? Rubbery room temperature freezer pizzas? Yumyum...
My survival kit usually consists of some kind of chocolate and lots of it. The sugar helps stave off headaches from the bad air quality/cramped quarters.
Lately all the plane trips I've been taking were of the 13+ hour variety, so I don't bring anything messy or complicated.
I'm thinking net plane ride calls for riceballs, though. Compact, no odor, keeps well without refrigeration.
fuuchan at 11:24AM on 04/28/09
While connecting through ATL one time, the three of us were starved and knew that we would only get snack service on the flight to LAX. While waiting to board my brother and sister-in-law went to the only thing opened in the terminal...Krystal's. That southern equivalent to White Castle. Those little gems smelled so good we scarfed 'em down before the plane started rolling to the tarmac.
fsharp4565 at 12:06PM on 04/28/09
I have kids, so I bring LOTS of snacks. A bag of crackers, a bag of fruit snacks, a bag of granola, a bag of grapes. Lots of bags to keep them busy opening and eating and closing (and NOT whining or kicking or annoying other passengers). Then we already have bags to fill with dirty clothes or treasures we find or snacks for the return. I do try to avoid anything that involves more cleanup than a napkin, though.
chelle3230 at 3:54PM on 04/28/09
I always bring 2 peanut butter and fig preserves on whole grain bread.
They stay fresh in the foil for hours and can't spoil, and they are a good snack in case you are stuck on the tarmac for hours waiting to take off.
I also pack protein bars, lots of them. Don't want to starve!
Stacey Snacks at 9:33PM on 04/28/09
I always pack a picnic for the plane. Usually wraps or baguette sandwiches, some fruit (grapes and apples travel well), chocolate, and snackable proteins like cheese, but I make sure it's stuff I love and will look forward to.
For the return flight, I always grab some easy to pack favorites from the local cuisine the night before or morning of my flight home to enjoy a final taste of the place I just visited on the way home.
Examples of some of my favorite return flight fare includes focaccia pizzas, pastries, and salumi from Italy, bakery items from Veruca in St. Louis, and Eric Kayser sandwiches, Pierre Herme macarons, Marcolini chocolates and marshmallows, and some cheese from Paris.
Other than looks of envy, no one seems to mind at all. In other words, packing for flights can be quite wonderful.
Enjoy your well deserved and long overdue vacation!!!
Cheers,
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 3:10PM on 04/29/09
I usually bring my home town's fruit with me.
And Apple a day keeps the flight attendant away.
Chef Colin at 4:48PM on 05/03/09
No matter where I go, I go solo. I hate eating in restaurants alone so I alway pack enough beef jerky to get me thru several meals and my in-flight snacks. If I'm taking a train or bus I'll carry assorted crackers (in a hard plastic container) and a can of "squirt" cheese (or two). For something more sustaining I may take a PB&J or cheese slices on bread. Traveling really zaps me of all my energy so I need something to give me a boost but nothing that will weigh me down (since I'll be resting once I get to my destination)! LOL
divajinx at 9:21AM on 05/04/09
I always pack my own food - it's what I want, I don't risk running out, and it costs a lot less. You just have to be sure what you take meets the 3-1-1 rule, so cups of apple sauce, yoghurt, and the like are out. I take firm fruits (apples, pears, citrus), bags of nuts, cheese sticks, breadly items of some kind (crackers, rolls, firm bread), veggies, granola or protein-type bars, sometimes a fruit-nut snack mix. Sometimes I have leftovers or bakery items; the ones from Thai bakeries and leftover baos occasionally get questions and comments from middle-American TSA agents, but I've never been stopped.
I try to take things that will survive to the destination if the flight is long enough to get some food served. And there are some sites that sell miniature serving packets of peanut butter, jelly, other nut butters, mustard, mayo, and such that need to follow the 3-1-1 rule. If you really need these and fly a lot, you may want to check them out. The big warehouse stores might have them as well, in their food service aisles.
morgancain at 10:38AM on 05/04/09
Due to stomach surgery, I must take my own food because airport and airplane food is LOADED with salt, sugar and carbs. Luckily, I have a letter from my surgeon (on a page from his prescription pad) explaining my situation. I generally pack small snack baggies of meat, cheese, and nuts. So far, the only thing TSA has confiscated was a ready-to-drink can of protein drink. (This was before they changed the guidelines to include medical/nutritional beverages, like Ensure or protein drinks.)
skyeyes at 11:34AM on 05/04/09
I fly business to Europe so, food or lack of it, is not a problem. However, I fly coach within the USA and I always bring my own food (and water) on board. Buying sandwiches, salads and water outside the gate to bring on the plane makes for less grumpy fliers.
Twinwillow at 11:55AM on 05/04/09
Last stop leaving NYC....Zabars! Second to last stop....H&H Bagels! I could auction off the loot on the airplane and make a mint!!
Willow Toth at 11:58AM on 05/04/09
It depends on when I'm flying (I'm a sleeper) but if it's a midday flight, I definitely bring something. Yummy tempura rolls, sandwiches, my mom's homemade cornbread with corn and sundried tomatoes in it- as long as it can be wrapped up and won't get me glares (I've had envious stares and comments at how good something smelled) then I try it. I'm not a raw onion eater, and I wouldn't do anything with a clam sauce, but everything else, including stuff with forks, is fair game! I'm flying next week- now I'm wanting to bring a super salad.
wickedwonder at 3:00PM on 05/04/09
Airline companies need to stop serving that horrible sushi on the way to Japan. What's the point? (I mean I'd be able to eat REAL sushi when I get off the airplane!)
hmw0029 at 3:09PM on 05/04/09
Fuck what other people think! Hopefully your own food won't give you swine flu or food poisining for one thing. I'm vegan so if I want something I bring my own eats.
Sugar at 10:28PM on 05/04/09
A few years ago, my son and daughter were visiting us from LA. We had a White Castle here at the time and they had'nt had White Castle burgers so befofe their flight back we picked up a couple dozen sliders, put them in an insulated zipper bag and they took them on the plane. Halfe way there, they desided they wanted one so they got the bag down and with in seconds you could smell cooked onions all over the plane, Everyone was drooling!
old chef at 1:19PM on 05/05/09
Fly First Class, it's a vacation save up a bit more $$$ and treat yourself and you significant other if you got one. Then food isn't an issue snack on what you want some 1st class food is actually edible What are you going to do save it to pay more taxes. If I fly coach [ most a the time ] I take bottled water if allowed and fast maybe a small energy fiber snack for my type-2 Diabetes but travel constipates me and takes a few days to get it going again so fasting is best for me. Who amongst us could do with missing a meal or two on occasion.
shipwreck at 2:06PM on 05/05/09
why don't laws against price gouging count in an airport, esp. since "9/11" regs make every carry-on thing subject to scanning and fingering by any number of TSAs. Anyways... I make a huge green salad with lots of veg & some protein garnish. I usually freeze something like grapes to keep grilled chicken chilled. I feel marinated and thoroughly cooked is safer to sit at room temp than just cooked meat. Make the toppings juicy & flavorful, so I don't need dressing. Pack garnishes in zipper bags so TSA fingering is minimal. I bring fork saved from Delta flight, so I know it's TSA-OK. Air travel in particular is so hard on the body & mental state, so I try to be good to my gi.
mauserati at 3:06PM on 05/05/09
I always BYOF, and it is almost always sushi. Handrolls individually wrapped in plastic wrap are your best option. Watch the soy sauce and wasabi packs - as liquids, they need to go in your 1qt baggie for security. I put them in a soft cooler. But no, you cannot bring ice or gel packs. It will be fine for a couple hours, don't sweat it.
One of my employees tried to bring a 1 Qt container of hummus. Bad idea. Security did not like that. You have to put it on a sandwich (it is considered a liquid)
FoodieTraveler at 3:52PM on 05/05/09