Melissa Leong's food survival guide for long-haul flying

How to approach eating on a plane goes beyond the question “chicken or beef?” Here are some tips to navigate the menu on a long-haul flight.

How to approach eating on flights goes beyond the question “chicken or beef?”

The dilemma about whether to eat on the plane is a simple one: if you’re flying at the pointy end of the plane, then chances are the food will be more than decent, and, at the very least, the endless glasses of Champagne will alleviate any misgivings you have about your eye fillet, or caviar-topped entrée. 

For the rest of us, the long-haul airplane food thing is more fraught as we’re faced with unidentifiable sauces and proteins, and more dense carbs than you can poke a stick at.

Having travelled a fair amount over the years on assignments and for work (and, except for once recently, always in economy), I have some tips for how to survive a long-haul trip when it comes to sustenance.

I’ve done everything from a single-use plastic-free challenge on a trip to Europe (it’s possible) to trying out all the dietary options and why they’re worth considering (more on that later). So, as you begin to make your overseas travel plans, I’m here to help.

Choosing curry on Thai Airways is a no-brainer.

Look up the menu before you fly

No, it’s not just for OCD diners on the ground. Having an idea of what you might be served can help you decide whether it might be best to pack your own snacks, or just sit back and enjoy the in-flight service, such as it is. Mini Magnums for dessert? Yes. A dish of food whose individual ingredients can no longer be distinguished? Maybe pass.

Heaps of blogs and websites are dedicated to this very subject, and if you’re about to take a long-haul flight on an airline you’re not familiar with, it’s worth looking into.

If you’re opting in for the in-flight menu, it may feel more comforting to order the Eurocentric option, but if you find yourself flying on an airline based… well, anywhere else in the world, may I encourage you to go with the airline’s native cuisine.

Why? It’s generally better. Thai Airways’ curries, for instance, are really rather good, and Japan Airlines’ bento boxes are super-cute and fantastic for people who like to pick at lots of little snacks/okazu.

What to pack

Despite what your (all right, my) inner monologue thinks about being the guy who packs their own food, it really is okay. I’m here to tell you nobody cares if you bring your own food (it’s best to remove it from your carry-on at security for screening, though), provided you consider a few things:

• Yoghurts, dips, and frozen smoothie juice boxes (I thought I’d be clever, and they’d keep my meal cool) have to conform with the rules for liquids, so if they’re over 100ml, you’ll need to turf them. Trust me when I tell you I’ve learned this the hard way.
• Pack a mixture of sweet and savoury snacks. Our taste buds do a number on us up in the air, and it’s always a good idea to pack both options to keep you sated. Things like dark chocolate, dates, tamari almonds, jerky or vegetarian snacks (they keep safer at room temp) like a frittata, onigiri or a sandwich are good options.
• Don’t neglect texture. Crunchy food just hits differently at 12,000 metres.
• A reusable cutlery set is a great idea and helps you avoid single-use plastic disposables.
• Throw a few slices of lemon or lime in your empty reusable water bottle and get your friendly host to fill it up when you’re airborne. It might not be first class, but that doesn’t mean you have to be denied spa-style sipping.
• Skip the garlic and onion for everyone’s sake.

Thai Airways’ curries are really rather good.

Consider dietary options

I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but did you know that if you order a dietary-specific menu on the plane, you’ll be served first? There’s a litany of options you can request ahead of your flight that will not only ensure you’re seen to first, but just might be a little less stodgy than the regular meals, which are designed to discourage passengers from rushing to the loo too often.

My favourite go-tos are the raw vegan option (basically just cut fruit and veg), which you can add to the snacks you brought with you, and low-cal or vegetarian options so you can spend your calories on actually good food when you land.

Economy class hacks

These aren’t exactly food-related, but they’ll make your trip in economy feel a bit nicer.

• Bring your own blanket. Whether they’ve been washed properly between uses or not, those blankets have seen a few things. A lightweight throw, or a scarf that can double as a blanket is a nicer option than a blanket wrapped in single use plastic.
• If you travel often, I don’t need to tell you that noise- cancelling headphones are a game-changer. They help block out the dull roar of the engines, along with the chatty passenger nearby, and can help you focus on your work or a Marvel movie marathon.
• My toiletry kit always includes compostable face wipes, a rich face cream, lip balm, a face mist, and some hand cream. If you wear make-up, remove it as soon as you’re in the air, and keep hydrated, both inside and out. Reapply just before the plan begins to descend so that you arrive feeling and looking your freshest.

Nobody cares if you bring your own food onto the flight.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that travelling internationally is something we should be grateful for, and, regardless of where you’re sitting on the plane, there’s no reason why you can’t travel in style. And if all else fails, just rock a huge pair of sunglasses for when you land.

See more:

The $24 family meal Melissa Leong is obsessed with

Melissa Leong's No.1 meal in New York

Melissa Leong's No.1 rule at the Sydney Fish Market

Originally published as Melissa Leong's food survival guide for long-haul flying