Can I Take My Own Food To Eat On The Plane?

Are you fed up with overpriced and not very nice airplane food? If you are travelling towards the front of the plane your options maybe a little better than back in Economy BUT if you have particular dietary needs you may still struggle for options. The same is true for the Airport itself where often the few options are massively overpriced. So what can you do? In this post, we want to look at whether you can take your own food to eat on the plane…

What about pre-ordering food on the plane?

Whilst you can pre-order a special meal on most flights you don’t get to choose what you get so you may still end up with something you don’t like. For example, our experience with BA pre-ordering a gluten-free meal often got us a fish meal which we don’t like. If you have multiple allergies or dietary requirements e.g. Vegan & Gluten-Free you won’t be able to order a special meal to cover both of these requirements. With this in mind, particularly if you have multiple allergies or dietary requirements, we recommend bringing your own food.

What kind of food can I bring to eat on a plane?

Gatwick airport has the following guidance on their website…

You can carry cakes, fruit, vegetables, sandwiches and all solid foods in your hand baggage. However, foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) cannot come through security. 

The size of container must not exceed 100ml, regardless of the amount contained inside. Please note that jams, honey and other preserves are also subject to these restrictions.

There are also exceptions for things such as baby food…

All baby food and liquid are allowed to be carried in your hold luggage with no restrictions. If your child is two or under you are allowed to carry some items in your hand baggage that are an exception to our usual hand baggage rules. These include:

• Baby milk and sterilised water – you can carry what is needed for your journey and they can be over 100ml. These will be subject to additional screening by security. Any milk that is not specifically designed for the child or water that has not been sterilised cannot be allowed through security and will be disposed of. There are water fountains and restaurants/food places where you can get these in the departure lounge after you have been through security.
• Expressed breast milk – expressed breast milk can be taken in unlimited quantities, as long as it’s in individual containers that are no larger than two litres per container. The milk cannot be frozen, but cooling gel packs or ice packs can be used to keep it cool. You can carry expressed breast milk even if your child isn’t flying with you.
• Baby food in liquid, gel or paste form – you can also carry as much of these as is required for your trip and they can also be over 100ml. They will be subject to additional screening.

If your baby has a medical condition or dietary requirement which means they need other liquid forms on your journey which are over 100ml you must bring a doctors letter or prescription to authenticate this if you are carrying them in your hand baggage.

What about Airlines… do they have rules about bringing my own food?

Most Airlines have absolutely no problem with you bringing your own food onboard as long as allowed by the Airports’ liquid restrictions. What about alcohol? You can bring alcohol you purchased airside at the airport onboard BUT you can’t drink your own alcohol on board. Soft drinks and water are fine to bring on board. Remember you will need to purchase or fill up an empty bottle airside if above 100ml.

Conclusion

Bringing your own food is a no-brainer, particularly if you know you won’t be catered to well from the airport/your flight. Just make sure that not only your food is allowed through security but also you are considerate to other passengers when choosing what food to bring.