Modern day air travel can be expensive enough as it is, before you begin to consider what to eat and drink at the airport, and on the plane. Dining in the departure lounge can be costly, as can buying food on the plane – which may not always appeal to our tastes.
It’s no wonder so many of us get tempted to bring our own food onto the plane in a bid to save a few pounds, and/or cater to specific dietary needs, or personal preferences. However, while it is possible to bring some food and drink produce on-board, there are a few rules and restrictions you ought to be aware of beforehand.
Condense liquid foods into clear containers
If you’ll be bringing any liquid-based foods on-board any plane in the UK, and in many other counties (like spreads, pastes, jams and soup, for example), the same rules on carrying liquids in your hand luggage apply. Don’t take any chances, if you want to avoid being singled out for a bag search. Airport security will scan your bag using state-of-the-art X-ray machines from reputable suppliers like TDI Packsys, so pack liquid-based foods correctly to avoid hassle.
Any liquid-based foods you don’t intend to consume while on-board, or which aren’t compatible with the 100ml rule, can be carefully packed into your hold luggage. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rules including items needed for essential medical purposes, baby milk and any dietary requirements.
You can bring solid, packaged foods
There are strict rules on bringing liquids on-board when flying from the UK, but you’re less likely to encounter issues when bringing packaged foods onto a plane, provided they fit into your carry-on bag.
Regardless of where you’re flying from, you can travel with: bread (excluding sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products); cakes; biscuits; chocolate and confectionery; pasta and noodles; packaged soups, stocks and flavourings; and processed and packaged plant produce.
Be careful with fruit, veg, nuts & seeds
If you’re travelling to the UK from the EU, Switzerland or Lichtenstein, you can bring in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds for personal use.
However, if you’ll be travelling from other countries outside the EU, you’ll need a ‘phytosanitary’ certificate from the plant health authorities in your departure country, in order to travel to the UK with most fruits (although there are some exceptions).
Airline or airport-approved doesn’t mean country-approved
Travelling with food can sometimes be confusing. While a given food may be approved by your chosen airline and the airport you’ll be flying from, you’ll need to check whether you’ll be allowed to enter your destination country with it.
For example, UK Customers and Border Force have specific rules on bringing food into Great Britain. While you’re allowed to travel with a wide range of dry food produce and groceries (as mentioned above), restrictions apply to bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products; and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Britain from abroad.
Respect fellow passengers
While some foods may be permitted on-board the plane, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s okay to bring them on-board. For example, you might want to avoid bringing particularly odorous foods like egg mayonnaise sandwiches, hot fast food, or strong garlic-scented foods on-board, in order to avoid offending other passengers. In fact, some airlines don’t allow hot food from the departure lounge on-board, in order to ensure the comfort of all passengers. Always check before you fly, and give yourself plenty of time to finish eating in the departure lounge, before heading to your gate.
Bringing your own food onto the plane can be a frugal way to save money, while catering to your own personal dietary needs and preferences. However, be sure to check the rules on travelling with food with your chosen airline, airport and your destination country, before prepping any packed lunches.
Do you bring your own food on-board when flying? Leave a comment to let me know what kind of snacks you usually bring to nibble on while on the plane.