Meal on the Go for Hungry Travelers
To Eat, You Must Bring Your Own Food
The Signal - Business Section, July, 2006
Food on the go is more like hunting and gathering for the hungry globetrotter trying to make a flight connection. Thanks to the now mainstream concept of brown bagging it at 30,000 feet, travelers today are grabbing meals from mini pizzas to chicken Caesar salad wraps from walk-up windows at airports everywhere.
For the most part, in flight food service has gone by the wayside with other outdated services we no longer receive when traveling. We’re on our own, and need to personally handle our meal planning. Sure a bag of nuts could be considered a meal, but let’s be honest here. Travelers want to eat while flying across continents and varying time zones. Even multiple bags of tiny nuts will not be enough to satisfy an empty tank for anything but on a short hop.
When food first became scarce as an in-flight amenity, the concept of bringing a picnic lunch on board was novel. Many passengers felt uncomfortable whipping out the KFC and coleslaw in front of their drooling seatmates. Prosecution for planning ahead was the feeling.
Now a socially-acceptable way to nourish ourselves, the to-go meal is big business for airport vendors. Even top chefs have met the challenge of developing the perfect carry-on meal, which requires that it is non-odiferous, spoil-proof for at least three hours and easy to pack. The result is greater selection, healthier meals and speedier service for portable dining options right there in the airport.
While some airlines, especially on international flights, still honor the tradition of inclusive meal service, it is not the norm. If you plan to eat during your next flight, bring it yourself. Time is of the essence when rushing through an airport, so allow enough extra minutes for the food service stop, whether it’s a sandwich or sushi. If you’re hungry, anything is better than sitting through a flight chewing your pen cap.
Finding quality foods at the airport is actually easy these days. Recognizable restaurant chains now offer satellite walk-up shops to feed the frenzied. Kiosks of freshly-made sandwiches and salads are also available for a fast-food stop when heading to the boarding gate. In a pinch, there’s always the news stand for a quick bag of chips, giant cookie or trail mix. At the end of the day, something to eat beats nothing at all, and that intensifies if you’re traveling with kids or teenagers.
Some airlines still do provide food service for purchase on board the flight. Even this option is not consistent among all flights. It can often depend on the duration of the flight and time of day you are traveling. Have your travel agent check this out so you know for sure what to expect and how to plan.
As a final sure-fire suggestion to the meal dilemma, start at the beginning and pack a brown bag from home. Sounds so simple, but honestly, who has time for this when we’re trying to get to the airport on schedule. Taking food from home is a great idea for travelers who plan ahead, and often necessary for people with allergies, particular preferences, are on a strict diet, or taking the kids along.
Travelers like to eat. Since there is no such thing as a free meal anymore, 30,000 feet or not, finding food is an effort of planning. It is survival of the fittest at the airport terminal. The hunters and gatherers will prevail with a decent meal, leaving the rest of us with nuts.
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
