It’s no secret that plane food isn’t always the best, with cabin crew serving up meals full of salt to try and appeal to our taste buds, which change at 35,000 feet.
Former flight attendant, Charlotte Crocker, recently told Metro that the food in economy is mostly ‘frozen’ and ‘not the greatest quality’. As such she likes to bring her own snacks along with her, packing lunchboxes full of instant porridge, oatcakes, packet soups and tea bags.
But, if you’re tempted to do the same, you’ll want to be wary, as there are strict rules you’ll need to follow when it comes to the food and drink items you can and can’t take on a plane – and some might surprise you.
If you’ve got a holiday booked with airlines like TUI, Ryanair, Easyjet or Jet2, here’s everything you need to know about eating and drinking during your flight.
But one key thing to know before we get into the nitty gritty – and this applies to all the airlines – passengers aren’t permitted to drink any alcohol on the plane that hasn’t been purchased on board.
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So if you stock up on bottles of vodka or gin in Duty Free before your flight, you’ll want to keep them sealed and tucked away in your cabin bag – as those found consuming their own alcohol can end up facing prosecution.
And did you know it’s actually illegal to be drunk on a plane? This is according to the Air Navigation Order 2016. Staff are able to deny boarding onto a plane if they think you’re drunk and they can also remove you from a flight before take off.
Those who get drunk and disorderly on a plane can face a fine of up to £5,000 and a maximum of two years in jail. If a plane has to be diverted because of your behaviour, you could also face a lifetime ban from the airline.
TUI
Those going on holiday with TUI are able to take their own food on flights, but they recommend bringing ‘low-risk’ items such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold. This is because they can’t provide heating facilities for food on board.
The only exception for this is infant milk, as they are able to warm bottles in hot water.
During the flight, there will be food and drink available on the plane. For short and mid-haul flights, passengers can buy hot and cold snacks from the airline’s cafe range, as well as drinks from the bar.
For flights longer than three and a half hours (excluding Morocco, Portugal and long-haul destinations), a hot meal can be pre-ordered. And for long-haul flights, meals are included.
If passengers are travelling with a severe nut allergy, you might not be allowed to eat any foods you’ve brought with you containing nuts and no nut products will be available from the inflight bar service. However, TUI warns they can’t guarantee a completely nut-free environment.
Easyjet
Food is allowed on the plane, as long as you’re following regulations, which includes liquid restrictions for food like soup or custard.
Their website explains: ‘You can bring food into the cabin, although we do sell a range of delicious food and drink on board.
‘There’s a 100ml limit for liquid food, like soup or custard. Different countries have different regulations about importing food and drink, so make sure you check the rules for your destination.’
This limit doesn’t apply to baby food, milk or sterilised water for infants, provided the total amount isn’t more than two litres. Those bringing any of these items onto a plane may be asked to taste them for ‘security reasons’.
Hot drinks are permitted on board if they’ve been purchased at the airport and have a lid. And alcohol purchased in the departure lounge is allowed on the plane, as long as it is unopened.
They add: ‘Alcohol must be lower than 70% abv, and packed either in an airport shopping bag or in your cabin bag. It’s strictly forbidden to drink any alcohol that has not been purchased on board the aircraft and those found consuming their own alcohol may face prosecution.’
Ryanair
According to Ryanair’s ‘Feel Free’ policy, passengers are able to bring their own food and soft drinks on board planes. However, hot drinks and alcohol are banned and cabin crew are allowed to confiscate any items that go against these rules.
‘In the interest of safety we cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks or consume their own alcohol during the flight,’ the airline explains.
Baby milk, powdered milk, sterilised water and baby food are all ok on Ryanair flights even if they exceed ‘the usual limits’.
They add: ‘These don’t need to fit in the transparent bag that is needed for all other liquids but please have them ready for inspection by airport security.’
Jet2
Jet2’s baggage restrictions state that passengers are not permitted to carry any items which may affect the safety, health or comfort of other passengers, including ‘hot or strong smelling foods and drinks’, so you’ll want to keep that in mind before travelling.
The airline also warns against bringing any perishable items on the flight.
However, they pride themselves on having a ‘big choice’ of food and drinks, with meal deals, including a drink, snacks, toasties, sandwiches, pizzas and wraps, as well as various other dishes.
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