Some of you may have strong feelings about this one.
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If you asked me to name my favorite things, I’d probably say writing, eating and traveling. Considering that my job is to write about food, and that I often get to travel to write about food, I consider myself to be a very lucky person.
I’ve tasted my way along Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Food Trail, dined at Chip and Joanna Gaines’ brasserie and attended the Flower & Food Festival at Dollywood. Just last month, I had the best grilling experience of my life in California, then ate Burger King’s Mandolorian Meal at the chain’s headquarters in Miami. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!
But the unwritten part of all of this travel is how much time I spend on airplanes. Anyone who travels knows that airport food can really be hit or miss—and not to mention expensive. So I definitely bring plenty of snacks with me in case of delays or long layovers. The last thing I want to do is show up in a new location hangry.
On my last trip, I asked the experts themselves—my flight attendants!—for their take on the best plane snack. Their answers were incredibly informative, but their favorite threw me for a loop.
What’s the best plane snack?
On an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Miami, I had the pleasure of chatting with flight attendants Julianna Werlang and Keely Knack, who were responsible for my section of the cabin. Once we were at cruising altitude, I introduced myself and asked them about their favorite plane snacks. And yes, I did wait for the seatbelt sign to turn off. Safety first.
They gave me a list of ideas, and I will absolutely elaborate on them later. But the most important bit is that they claimed hard-boiled eggs are the best plane snack. If I had been drinking water, I would have spit it out! Yes, they both told me that hard-boiled eggs with soy sauce and Sriracha packets are some of their favorite things to bring on long-haul flights.
In some ways, this makes a lot of sense. It’s a relatively cheap and protein-rich combo, and it’s a great way to partially imitate the flavors of a sushi roll or bowl of ramen. You can also bring along some sesame seeds to dip the eggs into, if you’re feeling fancy.
What else makes for good plane snacks?
Aside from the mile-high Japanese-inspired eggs, Julianna and Keely had plenty of recommendations for foods while in flight. Here are some options for your next trip:
Trail mix and beef jerky
It might not be the most exciting option, but it’s a classic for a reason. I personally always travel with a bag of trail mix, because that salty-sweet combo is unbeatable. Beef jerky or meat sticks are an excellent snack too, considering that you can stash them pretty much anywhere. Target actually just dropped a new line of Good & Gather snacks with celebrity chef Roy Choi, including two that have actually become my new favorite travel snacks: Sweet and Savory Sesame Crunch Trail Mix and Pineapple Chili Beef and Pork Meat Sticks.
Sandwiches and wraps
I once went to Jimmy John’s before a flight because I was craving a Turkey Tom, figuring I would eat it in the Uber on the way. Well, I forgot and ended up just bringing it through security with me. This was the best surprise, because it meant that I didn’t have to spend any more money. It also meant that I was able to enjoy a delicious sandwich mid-flight. Whether you prep one at home or stop on the way, this is an excellent and somewhat underrated option. And if you’re concerned about soggy bread, then try out wrap recipes. In my experience, wraps are sometimes sturdier for travel.
Salads and veggies
As a frequent traveler, one of the hardest things to deal with is my routine being disrupted. I usually eat a big leafy salad full of veggies for lunch, and yet whenever I leave the house, it’s like vegetables are the first thing I forget to eat. Packing up veggies to eat on a plane might feel a little underwhelming, but it’s a really great way to deal with travel annoyances like fatigue and bloating. As long as any dressing is less than or equal to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters, you’re set. I like to bring individual ranch dipping cups so the amount is printed right on the package.
The Bottom Line
It might feel weird to bring a sandwich or a bunch of hard-boiled eggs onto a plane, but it’s absolutely fine! Sometimes I get in my head about what the TSA will or won’t allow, so I’m always looking for reassurance. When in doubt, check the TSA guidelines for traveling with food. Whether you want to save money on your next trip or simply like bringing some of the comforts of home along with you, these are all great ideas. And the next time you fly American, say hi to Julianna and Keely for me. Bon voyage!
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