Under the influence of factors such as pressure and noise, meals provided on airplanes usually do not taste very delicious, especially in economy class, where some meals even come with an additional cost. In such scenarios, bringing your own food on board not only saves money but also ensures you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your meals. So, what food items are passengers allowed to bring on planes according to regulations?
According to a report by the American magazine “Travel + Leisure,” a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States stated that solid foods can be packed in both carry-on and checked luggage for the flight. Any liquid or gel-like food item exceeding 3.4 ounces (approximately 100 milliliters) cannot be included in carry-on luggage and should be placed in checked baggage instead.
It is important to note that the TSA categorizes peanut butter as a liquid. Therefore, carrying a whole jar of peanut butter in your carry-on is not allowed, but bringing a peanut butter sandwich is perfectly fine.
However, TSA staff may request passengers to separate snacks and powdered drink items from their carry-on luggage during security screening to avoid any potential interference in X-ray imaging. Keeping snacks in an easily accessible part of your backpack can expedite the security screening process.
As a general rule of thumb, any spreadable condiments, dipping sauces, soft foods (such as yogurt and ice cream), and items soaked or stored in liquids will be confiscated at security checkpoints. However, if you are traveling with infants, baby formula, breast milk, baby food, and toddler beverages will be considered medically necessary items, and the carry-on amount can exceed 3.4 ounces without the need for them to be placed in a transparent sealed bag.
Professor Dan Bubb from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an aviation expert and former pilot, emphasized that apart from legal allowances, consideration should be given to the feelings of other passengers in deciding what food to bring on board.
“People can bring food onto the plane. However, they should be mindful of what they are eating and how others might react. Who doesn’t love a delicious tuna sandwich? But in the narrow and crowded space of an airplane, not everyone may be able to tolerate the smell of tuna,” he said.
He also mentioned that food allergies are another consideration. Some passengers may have severe allergic reactions to the smell of certain foods or feel uncomfortable just by catching a whiff of it. While some foods are not prohibited by the TSA for plane carriage, some airlines may have restrictions, such as durian fruit, strong-smelling cheeses, and surströmming (fermented herring).
Vummy Kihaule, a senior travel consultant and hunting itinerary designer at Tanzania Safaris, pointed out that during a flight, it is crucial to consider other passengers as the activity space on the aircraft is limited, and passengers are essentially confined to their seats. One should avoid turning their dining experience into someone else’s “experience.”
Regarding the types of food allowed to be brought on board, travel consultant Lucia Ruggieri-Maynard suggested preparing simple and non-perishable items such as oat bars, fruit bars, and cookies but avoiding easily messy, sticky, or strongly scented foods.
She advised using hard containers like bento boxes to prevent crushing or spills if bringing sandwiches or meals and portioning snacks individually can help avoid rummaging through your backpack for food.
Kihaule recommended waiting until the flight attendants begin meal service before consuming your own food on the plane to synchronize your dining time with other passengers.
Furthermore, when consuming self-brought food, proper etiquette must be observed. For instance, wait until neighboring passengers have returned to their seats before eating, maintain silence while eating, and dispose of packaging and food crumbs properly. Avoid adjusting seat backs during mealtime to avoid touching other passengers’ food or causing spills.
Previously, a flight attendant named Celina Bedding told the UK’s “Daily Mail” that during flights, the pressure in the cabin can lead to a loss of about 30% of people’s taste perception, resulting in airplane meals being heavily salted. These foods are considered unhealthy, and it is advisable to avoid them whenever possible. Bedding recommended opting for healthier food choices like fruit salads (For more details: [Link to related article]).
This translated and rewritten article provides insights into what foods passengers are allowed to bring on flights, the importance of considering fellow passengers, and etiquette guidelines for consuming self-brought food during air travel.