Before boarding a plane or during the flight, almost everyone has ever experienced the urge to eat. However, due to the high prices on board, passengers often want to save money and bring food from the airport or home. Find out what foods are allowed on board, according to the 2024 rules

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In recent years, the rules for transporting food on planes have changed, and the differences can be significant depending on the airline and country. With reference to The Mirror, here's what food you can take on a plane, based on the rules of some of the most popular airlines in 2024.

General rules for flights

Before talking about the specifics of each airline, it is important to note a few general rules that apply in almost all cases:

- Liquids and gels: You are allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers of no more than 100 ml in your hand luggage, packed in a transparent plastic bag of no more than 1 litre. This also applies to foods such as yoghurts, smoothies or soups.

- Solid foods: You can usually take solid food with you without any restrictions. This includes sandwiches, fruit, nuts and sweets. However, this rule also depends on the carrier.

- Alcohol: The carriage of alcohol has strict restrictions and is usually only allowed in sealed containers in your luggage. If you want to drink, you will have to buy it from the on-board trolley.

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Rules for transporting food

Sandwiches and salads are usually perfectly acceptable, but remember to eat them or throw them away before landing because there are rules about what foods can be imported into other countries.

For example, the EU does not allow passengers to bring fresh meat and dairy products from the UK into their countries.

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EasyJet

This airline allows you to bring food on the plane. However, if you bring liquids from home, such as soup or custard, they must be in transparent containers with a volume of no more than 100 ml. You can also bring non-alcoholic drinks, including hot drinks (coffee, tea), if you received them after passing security.

Ryanair

Ryanair recommends that you "feel free" to bring food and soft drinks on board. However, hot drinks are not allowed on board. 

"In the interests of safety, we cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks or drink alcohol during the flight," the company explains.

Jet2

This airline does not allow hot drinks and hot food on planes. But they don't say that you can't bring cold food, such as sandwiches, from home or after checking. 

But the airline also states that you cannot take food on the plane if it is not allowed by the laws of the country you are flying to or from. This means that they may not allow you to bring meat and dairy products from the UK on flights to the EU and may take your sandwich away.

Jet2 also states that passengers cannot take "items that are unsuitable for carriage due to their weight, size or nature, or that are fragile or perishable, or that may affect the safety, health or comfort of other passengers or crew". This could include hot or strong-smelling food and drinks. However, if you manage to pass security and it does not have a strong smell, you can put it in your bag and bring cold food and snacks on board.

TUI

If you are flying with TUI, you can bring food on board. They suggest bringing "low-risk foods such as ready-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold". 

You can also bring food for special dietary needs if you need it for your flight or holiday.

British Airways

This airline allows passengers to take solid food on board, including "sandwiches, biscuits, fruit and nuts". Liquids, such as drinks, soups, sauces, jams and jellies, must be in transparent containers of no more than 100 ml. 

British Airways also notes that passengers can buy duty-free liquids, gels or creams with a volume of more than 100 ml in airport shops or on board the aircraft, provided that they are sealed in a protective bag at the point of purchase, safe from opening, with a receipt inside. 

At the same time, the carrier warns that the country of destination may restrict the types of food allowed there, such as meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air does not prohibit taking food on board. You can take sandwiches and other food from home or buy them at the airport. Please note that space in the cabin is limited. Therefore, you should not bring food with a strong smell, as this will cause inconvenience to other passengers.

We remind you! Wizz Air faced a problem with engine maintenance for some aircraft, which led to the reduction of dozens of flights across Europe. Read here to find out what exactly the problem is and in which countries the low-cost airline has cancelled a number of routes.

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