The cost of going on holiday has soared in recent years, with many of those who are lucky enough to do so keen to save pennies wherever possible. One way people do this is to avoid buying food and drinks on the plane.
While all airlines provide a trolley service with hot meals and snacks, it can often be more economical to bring your own food on board to keep you going until you reach your destination. Each airline has its own policy regarding bringing your own food on board, so it's important to familiarise yourself with your carrier's rules.
It's also recommended that you eat or dispose of any food before arriving at your destination to avoid breaching local regulations on what can be imported. For instance, if you're travelling to the EU, you're not permitted to bring in milk, meat, or animal products from a country outside the EU, reports the Daily Record.
Certain foods are prohibited as they're classified as liquids, which are subject to the 100ml restriction. However, this rule doesn't apply to baby food and milk.
Government advice states: "Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on X-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays."
Here's what easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and Jet2 say about bringing your own food onboard
easyJet
easyJet states that passengers are more than welcome to bring their own food on board, but does add that it sells a wide range of food customers can purchase from their seats. The travel operator also asks customers to be aware of the rules surrounding bringing certain food types into the country you are flying to.
Information on the easyJet website reads: "You can bring food into the cabin, although we do sell a range of delicious food and drink on board. There’s a 100ml limit for liquid food, like soup or custard.
"Different countries have different regulations about importing food and drink, so make sure you check the rules for your destination." You may take hot drinks onto easyJet flights - but these must have been bought at the airport, and have a tight lid on, for safety reasons.
TUI
TUI passengers are provided with a meal and drinks on flights lasting longer than seven hours. On shorter routes, there is a trolley service with food and drinks that can be bought, though passengers may also bring their own food too.
TUI suggests that these food items should be "low-risk food such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold" and also states its staff cannot provide heating facilities for food apart from heating up bottles for babies.
Ryanair
Ryanair passengers can bring any type of food or soft drinks into the cabin. However, two types of drinks are banned from flights with the budget airline.
Passengers cannot bring a hot drink on board, for safety reasons. You also cannot board with an alcoholic drink either. Ryanair guidance reads: "In the interest of safety we cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks or consume their own alcohol during the flight."
Jet2
Jet2 is the only airline that states no hot food can be brought onboard. As for cold food, Jet2 information adds: "You can bring cold snacks and treats, but they must be packaged appropriately and meet any applicable security regulations."
Travellers can't bring "items which in our reasonable opinion are unsuitable for carriage by reason of their weight, size or character or which are fragile or perishable or which may affect the safety, health or comfort of other passengers or crew, this may include hot or strong smelling foods and drinks."
