Tips for Bringing Your Own Healthy Food for Air Travel

I must admit I am not a fan of flying or dealing with long waits in airports.  It’s even worse if you are looking for a healthy plant-based meal before take-off or for the plane.  In-flight options are barely edible and usually don’t cater to vegan diets so I have to be on my A-game so I don’t snack on junk.  Bringing my own meals ensures I don’t get hangry, and remain true to my plant-based goals. The bonus is the food is fresher, tastier, sustainable and saves me money!  

Eating on a Jet Plane: Source: by Ross Parmly on Unsplash

What Can You Legally Bring on a Flight?

Solid foods are Mandatory

Sandwiches, wraps, bagels, fresh fruit (like apples or bananas), granola, and cut vegetables are all flyer-friendly and easy to pack.

Brown Bagging for the Flight: Whole Wheat Wrap, Veggie Sticks and Grape Tomatoes

Airline compliant liquids/spreads

You can pack small (≤ 100 mL or 3.4 oz) travel-sized packs of hummus, nut butter, or avocado spread, placed in a clear zip-top bag.  I find separating liquid foods like this to be a hassle, so I just add small amounts on my sandwich which is allowed. Spreads on sandwiches and wraps are allowed but don’t overdo it because if they are oozing then your snacks will be confiscated!

Easy Snacks

Trail mix, nuts, crackers, tortillas, and cookies are quick and easy snacks you can bring for a flight.  Keep in mind that some other flyers have nut allergies so I generally avoid peanuts or peanut butter.

In-Airport Plant-Based Options

Depending on which airport you are flying out of, there can be some on-the-go options to bring on your flight.  Check for smoothie bowls or smoothies, sub sandwiches, burritos, bagels and wraps.

When airport lounges are accessible (e.g., priority boarding, business class), you might find items like oatmeal, toast, fruit, salad, crackers and cookies (Dad's oatmeal cookie snack packs are vegan!).

My Experience Flying on Porter

Porter Airlines offers service even on short flights and serves fresh meals in addition to snacks and drinks.  For my flight on Porter, I brought my own food and took advantage of the free drink and snack on offer.

Free White Wine and Almonds for a Civilized Flight on Porter Airlines

A free alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage is offered on Porter:

Porter Airlines Drink Menu. Source: Porter Airlines

Only one of the Porter snacks is vegan - the almonds.

Free Snacks on Porter Airlines - even a vegan option! Source: Porter Airlines

There is usually a vegan meal option on board that can be purchased for a fee. The meals get updated periodically so they may not be what I experienced, but Porter tries to offer options for plant-based and vegetarian diets on their flights. When I flew these were the plant-based options: Asian Noodle Salad Bowl and Vegetarian Buddha Bowl.

Porter Airlines Meals for Purchase. Source: Porter Airlines

More Meals Available from Porter Airlines: Source: Porter Airlines

Confirming Special Meals & Allergy Strategy

If you are going to rely on Porter to feed you, then you may need to make a special meal request (eg. Vegan) one week before departure.  If you really want to control what you are eating or have a severe allergy, then it’s in your best interest to bring your own food. I always try to bring my own food so I haven’t bothered to notify the airline in advance of any special dietary needs.

Final Thoughts

Even though I brought my own food on my last Porter flight, I was pleasantly surprised by what they had to offer.  I recommend Porter and would fly with them again! 

Let me know in the comments if you brown-bag it when flying.

 

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