Airlines all have different rules regarding the types of food and drinks passengers are allowed to bring on board. Buying meals on flights can be costly, particularly for families, leading many travellers to opt to buy their meals in the departure lounge before boarding.
High-street chains such as Boots and WHSmith, commonly found at airports, often offer meal deals for under £5. Some passengers prefer to bring homemade snacks for their journey. Provided it’s not a liquid and is consumed before you get off the plane — as different countries have varying customs rules about food — this is generally not a problem.
The post-Covid era has seen numerous changes in air travel. While many airlines continue to offer in-flight food and drink services, the experience may differ from what passengers were used to pre-pandemic.
Factors influencing this include flight duration, the specific airline, and the cabin class chosen by the passenger. Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and British Airways permit passengers to bring their own food on board. Jet2’s policy is somewhat ambiguous but seems to suggest that cold food is acceptable.
There are separate rules for baby food; up to one litre in solid form can be brought on flights. Any liquids must be contained in individual, clear bottles with a maximum capacity of 100ml. Passengers can take food into the cabin, adhering to a 100ml limit for liquid foods like soup or custard.
Some airlines allow hot drinks purchased at the airport to be brought on board provided they’re lidded. The 100ml rule doesn’t apply to baby food, milk or sterilised water under one litre – but you might need to taste it for security.
Airport-bought alcohol can come into the cabin if unopened, with an abv no higher than 70%, and must be in a shopping bag from the airside departure lounge or in cabin baggage. Consuming personal alcohol on the aircraft is prohibited by nearly all airlines, and could even lead to legal issues for travellers.
Here’s what some of the major airlines say about their food and drink policies.
easyJet
Passengers are permitted to bring food into the aircraft cabin. However, there is a restriction of 100ml for liquid foods such as soup or custard.
As regulations regarding the import of food and drink vary between countries, passengers should consume anything they bring onto the plane before they disembark.
Hot drinks can also be carried on, provided they were purchased at the airport and have a secure lid. Exceptions to the 100ml liquid rule include baby food, milk, or sterilised water, with the condition that the amount does not exceed one litre.
For security purposes, you may need to taste these items. Additionally, passengers can bring alcohol into the cabin if purchased from the airside departure lounge, ensuring it remains sealed. The alcohol content must not be higher than 70% abv and must be stored either in an airport shopping bag or within a cabin bag.
It is important to note that drinking any personally brought alcohol on board is strictly prohibited and could lead to legal action, which is a policy across most airlines.
TUI
TUI advises passengers are free to bring their own food, recommending “low-risk food such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold”, but they do advise: “we can’t provide heating facilities on board – although for infants, we are able to warm bottles of milk in hot water.”
If you’re on a flight that lasts seven hours or more, meals are included. You’ll be served a main meal with your choice of wine or juice, followed by tea or coffee.
If it’s a long-haul flight, you’ll receive breakfast, afternoon tea, or another light bite before landing, depending on the time of day.
Ryanair
Passengers flying with Ryanair can bring food and soft drinks on board, provided they adhere to the hand-luggage size and weight restrictions. However, passengers are not allowed to bring hot drinks or consume their own alcohol on board.
If you’re travelling with an infant (8 days-2 years), you can bring as much baby milk, powdered milk, sterilised water, and baby food as required for your flight, even if this exceeds the usual limit on liquids. These items don’t need to fit in the transparent bag required for all other liquids, but you must have them ready for inspection by airport security.
British Airways
According to British Airways: “Many items are restricted, controlled or completely prohibited onboard our aircraft due to international law, aircraft safety or regulations at your destination.”
You’re allowed to bring solid foods like sandwiches, biscuits, fruit, nuts, etc. on board, but the same restrictions for liquids apply to liquid foods, such as drinks, soups, sauces, jam or jelly.
British Airways advises passengers to “be aware” that there are no facilities to warm or refrigerate anything that you bring onboard.
Jet2
Jet2 has strict rules preventing passengers from bringing hot food or drinks onto their flights, citing safety as the primary concern. Cold foods and snacks, however, are welcome aboard if they meet Jet2’s specific conditions, with the airline adding: “We’re delighted to offer an enticing range of hot or cold drinks, sandwiches, pizzas and other tasty treats, at great prices.”
Emirates
Meanwhile, Emirates welcomes passengers to bring their own solid food items on flights, while highlighting that they do offer a full meal service. They also have facilities for those travelling with infants, stating: “If you prefer to bring your own meals, our cabin crew will help you with food and bottle warming. We also have milk formula and baby bottles on board if you need them.”
To avoid any issues, it is recommended that travellers ensure their food is properly wrapped or sealed to prevent strong smells and be prepared to declare any food items during security checks upon arrival, depending on the destination.