If you’re like us and snacks are a non-negotiable part of your day, then this article is for you. When travelling Economy long-haul it often means there are set meal times with very few snacks provided between them. It can also mean that the quality of your plane food may be questionable. To avoid going hungry and to actually enjoy some good food in transit, packing your own snacks for your flight may be your best bet. But with limited resources at the ready inflight, what can you pack? Here’s our ultimate guide to the best plane snacks to carry on to your next flight. 

Can you pack food on a plane?

Yes, you can. Packaged and solid items are allowed in your carry-on.  

Does the liquid rule apply to food?

Yes, the 100ml does apply to foods. So think sauces, salad dressings, dips, syrups, spreads, anything solid sitting in liquid (canned food) and yoghurt. Unless you pack them in individual containers that do not exceed 100 mLs. 

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Foods to pack

When looking at packing food for flight, dry or pre-made food that doesn’t need reheating are best. Here are our go-to snacks for travelling: 

• Nuts
• Dried fruits 
• Muesli bars 
• Crackers 
• Cookies and biscuits
• Pre-made protein balls 
• Cut up raw vegetable sticks (like carrots, celery)
• Fruit that doesn’t need cutting or is pre-cut (strawberries, grapes, apples)
• Packet food (like popcorn, chips, chocolate bars, lollies)
• Pre-made salads for early in the flight 
• Instant noodles (hot water can be requested inflight)
• Slices of cake, or pre-packaged cake

Foods to avoid

When it comes to selecting your personal inflight gourmet adventure, there are limitations on what you can pack. Anything that needs refrigeration is unlikely to retain the cold from home, through security and boarding. It will most likely spend a couple of hours outside of the fridge. Foods that need cutting do not make for good plane snacks as sharp knives are unavailable inflight. Here is a list of foods not to pack for a flight: 

• Liquids
• Foods with juices (to avoid spills) 
• Foods that have a strong smell (like blue cheese, eggs, kimchi, durian)
• Soups
• Soft fruit that can be squashed (unless in a container)

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