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Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 22:56
by Sarahjx
Hello...im pretty useless at finding stuff out for myself as you may of guessed by now =P
Can you take your own food onto a virgin flight? (flying England to Florida) like...a ham sandwich? I just cannot eat airplane food! Wondering if the "ham" part would be an issue cos of the meat laws n stuffs.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 23:05
by Nottingham Nick
No problem in taking your own food onto the plane. I can only imagine that it would become an issue if it was particularly pungent or a hazard to other passengers.
There are major issues on what you can take int the US - no diary products or fruit for example, but if you eat it all on the plane, it isn't a problem.
Nick
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 23:05
by Adastral
It should be ok but be aware of what you cannot take into the country and to avoid any problems at immigration at your destination, make sure you have eaten or disposed of it before you exit the plane.
I often take food due to special dietary needs, and this way I have had no problem.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 23:06
by tontybear
Yes you can - within e.g. the rules for liquids so a flask of soup is not allowed !
As long as you properly dispose of any uneaten fresh food like meat / fish before you leave the plane you won't have any issues when you land in florida.
Just remember that the CC won't be able to heat any food up for you.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 23:08
by Sarahjx
ok great =D thankyou! <3
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 23:32
by mitchja
Anything you can buy airside (i.e. after security) you can take with you and to eat/drink on flights (obviously excluding any duty free)
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
19 Jan 2011, 23:34
by pkatmk
Nottingham Nick wrote:There are major issues on what you can take int the US - no diary products or fruit for example, but if you eat it all on the plane, it isn't a problem.
Nick
As a matter of general interest VA routinely state that no dairy products are allowed into the US but this not entirely true. I have been taking cheeses into the USA for years, each time declaring them on the customs form. The USDA website confirms that fully cured cheeses (for example cheddar - but not brie) are permitted.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
20 Jan 2011, 00:07
by seanpep
PKatmk One Christmas I presented the customs agent with a form that said "a round of Stilton" I'm not sure he knew what it was! Also I often take porkpies from the clubhouse onto the plane...
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
20 Jan 2011, 00:32
by Mandy Hall
Once saw a bowl of chowder being brought into the economy cabin and being eaten while we were taxiing... Luckily one of the cabin crew finally emerged to take it off the passenger in question before takeoff.
This was in 2005 but I seem to remember there was a Fast Food place selling chowder airside.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
21 Jan 2011, 03:00
by flabound
Ive seen pizzas and burgers taken onto US domestic flights !!
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:11
by Tinkerbelle
At MCO and LAX, lots of people board with Burger King bags! :$
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:23
by honey lamb
I remember going on an internal flight (can't remember where from/to other than that it was probably Untied) where there was a family chowing down on a full meal in one of those polystyrene cases that are synonymous with fast food outlets :$
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:35
by Tinkerbelle
I have seen a couple in Upper board with an entire bag of food bought from the Caviar House in Terminal 3 - and they ate from there the entire flight!
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:39
by northernhenry
Tinkerbelle wrote:I have seen a couple in Upper board with an entire bag of food bought from the Caviar House in Terminal 3 - and they ate from there the entire flight!
Fair Play...and why not! oo)
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:41
by DragonLady
honey lamb wrote:I remember going on an internal flight (can't remember where from/to other than that it was probably Untied) where there was a family chowing down on a full meal in one of those polystyrene cases that are synonymous with fast food outlets :$
Sounds like Neelys BBQ at BNA.

..Yum
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:46
by donkeyman
Can I take some carrots and hay with me. Im not keen on sandwiches and that sort of stuff. cos Im only a Donkey
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:52
by Tinkerbelle
donkeyman wrote:Can I take some carrots and hay with me. Im not keen on sandwiches and that sort of stuff. cos Im only a Donkey
Don't Donkey's like waffles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYv2lHO7xSo 
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 00:59
by donkeyman
I have so many waffles I feel like a change
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 09:12
by clarkeysntfc
I once flew LAX to LHR in economy and on boarding was subjected to a family of 4 behind all chomping burger king... The smell is the worst part I think. They still had the onboard meal.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 15:53
by Alex V
I remember on here there was a TR from Tel aviv on BA last year and there was a picture of a pax with a big bag of mcdonalds on his tray which he obviously bought onboard, so i guess it must be ok.
cheers
alex
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 16:14
by HighFlyer
Alex V - Yup, my trip report

He had a glass of wine with the McDonalds as well, which I found all the more amusing
Generally speaking there is no issue with you bringing your own food but with the unspoken assumption that you try not to bring anything messy or smelly onboard. Sandwiches or anything cold/room temperature is great - Burger Kings, pizzas, etc, while perhaps yummy for some are very off-putting in an enclosed cabin because of the smell.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 16:16
by Bill S
It all depends on whether the butler is travelling with us.
Need somebody to carry the hamper from the Grocer's...
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 17:27
by Hamster
I have always thought of popping into Fortnums the day before a flight if the menu doesn't please me. Not yet happened though, will see what the Spring menu is before my next flight.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 20:21
by locutus
Plane Food picnics are great to takeonboard if flying from T5.
It seems to be an American thing that they take all sorts of hot food onboard when flying. Same at their cinemas, the stench from the nachos and hotdogs is disgusting.
Re: Taking own food on flight

Posted:
22 Jan 2011, 23:20
by Tinkerbelle
Those Burger Kings are the worst though - they just stink the whole cabin out and they smell disgusting to start off with!
Apart from that, the crew will not batter an eyelid if you bring your own food on board with you.