Do You Pack Your Meals For Your Airline Trip?

Vancouver, British Columbia
November 17, 2015 1:20pm CST
The line-up at Starbucks was at least 15 people long today at the airport. Tim Horton's (the Canadian equivalent of Dunkin' Donuts) was equally stacked up. I ended up paying close to $7 for powdered scrambled eggs with hashbrowns that probably came straight from the freezer. I admire friends of mine who use the opportunity when going away to clean their fridge and prepare deluxe sandwiches along with fancy cheese and cracker snacks. My Mom used to prepare chow mein and bento box lunches for us anytime we went on a road trip or even to the local fair, just to save money. I used to think this was goofy when I was a kid and wanted concession food. But as I sit here at my connection in Phoenix, I'm thinking I could kind of go for one of Mom's homemade maki sushi, right about now. Sigh. What about you? Do you wisely plan ahead and pack breakfast, lunch or snacks when you travel? Photo Source: Adrienne Jenkins Breakfast at Vancouver International Airport
22 people like this
23 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Nov 15
I usually just but something at the airport, but do occasionally purchase something on the way there.
4 people like this
• Vancouver, British Columbia
17 Nov 15
I'm good with snacks but not prepping entire meals. Although once in a while with a long layover, I've planned ahead for limited meal service and pulled out a tantalizing meal from takeout at the airport.
@LadyDuck (471436)
• Switzerland
18 Nov 15
I always packed our breakfast for our airlines trip, because we used to move early in the morning and the breakfast at the Nice (France) airport was really bad.
3 people like this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
19 Nov 15
Very interesting post. We plan our breakfast and meal if we all are travelling. Now a days, in many trains here in India the food (breakfast, lunch, snacks & dinner) is served on board. In case we are travelling by such a train, we do not carry our home made lunch etc. However, I feel that home cooked food is always better than any food available on board or on railway stations. During air travel also, some of the airlines do not provide breakfast or lunch etc. on board, in that case, we carry our home cooked lunch packets. In case, food is being provided by the airlines, we do not carry food because generally domestic flights are 2-3 hours long. I have yet to travel on an international flight. I have observed food items from sandwiches to burgers to pizzas are very expensive at airport lounges and it pinches our pockets to buy the stuff from airport. Sometimes, it cannot be avoided but whenever possible, it is better to carry our own food.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
3 Dec 15
I would love to take a train trip sometime. I never have.
2 people like this
• Vancouver, British Columbia
3 Dec 15
@GardenGerty I've been fortunate enough to take trains in Europe and in Japan. Super efficient. Also the train from Manhattan to Washington, D.C. is the perfect length and many people take the train back and forth rather than bother to go through airport security or fight traffic. I wish the trains in North America were as inexpensive as Europe. I think more people would then travel this more convenient and scenic method of transport.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
Airport food is not exactly the best is it. I only fly when going across to Australia, then I leave so early in the morning all I can manage is coffee.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
17 Nov 15
I do bring a few goodies with me.Buy a panni at the airprot.
2 people like this
@CRanney (437)
• Wingham, Ontario
2 Dec 15
I dont go on a lot of trips anymore because I am poor lol!! and I hate flying BUT when we were young and went on ar road trips we always packed food. Yes save money whenever we can.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
3 Dec 15
I have not flown in years, but I do like to make meals for road trips.
@silvermist (19702)
• India
23 Nov 15
I do not pack food.But these days I wish i had done that.Some times I have some snacks with me.
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
25 Nov 15
I don't travel much anymore, but when I did I took some food with me sometimes.
@TheHorse (218926)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Nov 15
I try to. But sometimes I'll just grab one of those $7 sandwiches at the airport.
@Pattitude (1287)
• Newton, North Carolina
25 Nov 15
That's probably a better idea. I really never thought of it, just relied on the convenience of airline food. I haven't flown in years, but if I do again, I will most likely go this route.
@babaraimc (1310)
• Pakistan
17 Nov 15
I am not very good at planning things, i let them happen and then see how it works so no i dont pack my meals
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
25 Nov 15
I have never been on an airline trip. I probably never will. BUT, if I did, I might pack some food considering the cost at the airports.
• Delhi, India
18 Nov 15
Well I never bring any food with me while I was travelled by flights.but surely on my next flight il try to take some food with me inside the plane.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Nov 15
Mine would probably end up on the floor. I am in such a hurry and just want my on board piece with me and it is packed already. I would just grab a McD's or something if I had every even thought for one minute you could take your own food on board the airplane. They actually let it through?
20 Nov 15
if i have my children with me, yes, i do pack snacks. when it is just me, i like to make sure i have some almonds with me (always need a little protein) and chocolate because, well, i need chocolate.
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
18 Nov 15
home made food is always safer to use and it gives satisfaction also.
• United States
20 Nov 15
I used to not travel with any food, just stopping off at the airport or train station cafes or whatever but lately, my fiance, she always packs a breakfast and/or lunch, with some snacks, for me on my trips.
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Nov 15
I've never packed meals when we've travelled. Just haven't considered it but maybe I will now.
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
18 Nov 15
i do, knowing how expensive food in every stop overs :(