What food to take on a long-haul flight?

[JuneFromBethesda]

I’m flying long-haul on Wednesday, economy class and I don’t have much hope for decent food on board (Air China).

What can I take with me to make the flight a bit nicer?

Oh wow! Good thinking. Never thought to do that. Nothing with nuts I’d guess!

Fruit. Chocolate. Veg sticks. Sarnie. Packed lunch basically 😄 surely they’ll feed you though!

Can you get to a pret in the airport? Grab some of their food, if I'm getting a dubiously catered flight they're my go to. Also make sure you've got lots of snacks!

Yes, I was thinking Pret too. Just trying to be a bit more imaginative 😄 I’m probably over-thinking it as I’m not looking forward to the trip (it’s for work).

There will be meals in-flight, I’m just not sure how nice they’ll be - airline food isn’t the best anyway and I haven’t heard particularly good things about Air China.

I always have a big meal at the airport and then gets a boots meal deal and snacks for the flight. Cereal bars, fruit packs, crackers, bottle of water.

Nothing with nuts!!

We did a flight recently, took snacks on board for it to be announced over the tannoy that any products containing nuts were not to be opened!!

It's effectively a packed lunch that you need, so start there with your thinking. Boring as they can be, sandwiches are very portable...

Thanks all. I just remembered the caramel cake we bought for yesterday that wasn’t touched so will be taking an enormous slab of that to cheer me up on the flight!

I've done this twice in last 10 days.
DS had ham sandwiches & chocolates, I had cream cheese on bagels.

I also brought fresh fruit (have to eat by arrival).

I do travel with nuts but am prepared to not open/eat them if need be. They're still a handy snack when waiting in the luonges between connections. I like dried fruit as you don't have to finish or discard it before landing, and it's helpful to keep the digestive system going (mine packs up otherwise!). I take pretzels for a low fat salty snack. And then sandwiches - prefer my own to shop. I always think next tie I'll take a nice meal in a tub, but I loathe the pain of then carting around the plastic tub for the whole trip.

Yes, I’ll take homemade sandwiches as well. Sandwiches, cake, veggies & humous, fruit, I think. Useful reminder about nuts, I would have taken some otherwise.

If you're flying from Heathrow T5, treat yourself to the Gordon Ramsay picnic, comes in a cool bag and you will be the envy of everyone in your row. Also the cool bag is v useful for future trips. Possibly the Fortnum & Mason stand does similar?

Otherwise, Pret is your saviour. Get sandwiches, drinks, snacky things (maybe not the boiled egg pot) and drinks once you are airside.

All of it! Airplane food portions are crazy tiny.

Instant noodles / instant porridge? Just add hot water.

I always fancy something juicy so buy a fruit pot like pineapple from Pret or M&S and an apple for later in the flight. Maybe a cereal bar, Graze do a savoury type of snack bag and always a bag of Haribos too! A nice bottled drink/coffee before boarding.

Fresh mango slices from M and S. So delicious and fresh feeling when you are feeling at your most rubbish in a long flight.

and remember the hummus counts as a liquid/paste, so sometimes will get caught at security so buy it at the airport!

I have done this a TONNE and do it when travelling business too (bloody BA can take up to 2 HOURS to serve dinner on the red eye 😠)

I bring a snack selection from home
this is:

• two or three nice high quality snack / trail bars
• a yoyo bear fruit roll.
• a couple of haribo star mix minis
• maybe some other fun size treats. Percy pigs etc
• a mini tub of Pringles

at the airport if I am eating early in the flight I get sushi at itsu.
if I will eat late I get pret or a salad bowl.

whatever time I fly I always buy a fruit salad from pret at the airport.
its perfect for flying as nutritious light and hydrating.

also popcorn is a nice snack on a flight

Air China food is usually fine and they feed you set mealtimes like other non-budget flight operators.
What are you trying to say about China??

I do this lots. Hate airline food and be very careful with Pret. If you have any allergies: also I’ve had a (mild) food poisoning incident with them.

I take posh picnic fare that can be eaten with fingers/ plastic fork:

• asparagus/green beans wrapped in Parma ham
• Roughly chopped artichoke hearts / red pepper/ feta.
• home made ham and mustard sandwiches are the best
• Chopped apple and cheese
• nice cake and biscuits.

Airline normally really helpful. hope you have a great trip. let us know what you eat.

Thanks all, some really good ideas here. Popcorn is a good one! Very impressed by your posh picnic @GrumpyMuleFan

i only know what I’ve been told about Air China @SisterMichaelsHabit and it hasn’t been particularly positive but I’d be delighted if it turns out to be better than expected. I have nothing against China - but I am very unhappy in my job at the moment so the last thing I want to be doing, especially at this time of year, is head off to the other side of the world for what will be a long and demanding trip.