Flying can be a mix of excitement and stress, and the choice of food to eat on the plane is essential to have a smooth trip.
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or a casual flyer, it’s important to pick the right snacks and meals because some foods can easily make your experience miserable— and, not to mention, irritate your fellow passengers.
Here’s a deep dive into seven foods you should never eat on a plane and why avoiding them can make your flight more enjoyable for everyone on board.
Anything with a Strong Odor
Airplane cabins are confined spaces with limited airflow, and strong-smelling foods can quickly fill the air and linger for hours.
Even if you’re craving a delicious tuna salad or a boiled egg, it’s worth saving these for when you land.
The scent may not bother you, but it can make your neighbors feel nauseated or uncomfortable, especially those with sensitive noses.
You should definitely avoid tuna sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, garlic-heavy dishes, strong cheeses, cruciferous vegetables, and fermented foods.
Foods That Cause Bloating
Not everyone knows this, but flying impacts your body in many ways, including digestion.
At 35,000 feet, the cabin pressure drops, and this can make your stomach more prone to bloating and gas.
Consuming foods that naturally produce gas, like beans or cruciferous vegetables, will only amplify the problem. Add the already limited bathroom access on a flight, and you have a recipe for serious discomfort.
Better alternatives could be easy-to-digest foods like bananas, yogurt, oatmeal, white rice, or lean proteins.
Greasy or Fried Foods
Greasy foods are tempting, especially if you’re grabbing a quick bite at the airport. Who doesn’t like burgers, fries, fried chicken, and onion rings?
However, they can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Fried and oily meals are harder to digest, and the lower oxygen levels in a pressurized cabin can slow down your metabolism even further.
This combination might leave you feeling lethargic, nauseous, or bloated for the duration of the flight.
You should instead opt for grilled proteins or whole-grain wraps. They will provide energy without the post-meal crash.
Messy Foods
When turbulence strikes or your cramped tray table becomes unstable, eating a messy meal can turn into a disaster.
Foods that require careful handling or come with lots of sauce increase your chances of spills, stains, and sticky fingers.
Plus, the limited space in your seat makes managing these dishes more trouble than they’re worth.
That’s why on the plane, you should avoid foods like spaghetti, tacos, ribs, soups, or any type of food with sauces.
Overly Spicy Foods
Spicy foods are great for boosting flavor but not ideal for eating on a plane. At high altitudes, your taste buds dull slightly, which may tempt you to go for spicier dishes.
However, spicy meals can upset your stomach, cause heartburn, or trigger sweating and coughing—all of which are amplified in the dry, pressurized cabin air.
If you crave flavorful food, bring mildly spiced dishes like a grilled chicken wrap with herbs, or opt for snacks like trail mix or pretzels.
Try to avoid spicy curries, hot wings, jalapeño-laden nachos and anything that has too much chili.
Crunchy and Noisy Snacks
Crunchy snacks might seem harmless, but in the quiet cabin of an airplane, every crunch can sound amplified.
Noisy eating can irritate passengers around you, especially those trying to sleep or focus.
Additionally, snacks like chips and crackers tend to leave crumbs everywhere, creating a mess in your seat or on the floor.
You probably love them, but try to avoid potato chips, popcorn, carrot sticks, and crackers. Greenlight instead for granola bars, dried fruit, marshmallows, and gummy bears.
Excessive Alcohol
The last thing you should definitely avoid is alcohol in large quantities.
It’s tempting to enjoy a drink (or two) on a flight, especially if it’s complimentary. However, alcohol’s effects are heightened at high altitudes because the lower oxygen levels in the cabin reduce your body’s ability to metabolize it.
This can leave you feeling dizzy, dehydrated, or even more intoxicated than expected.
Overindulging can also disrupt your sleep and increase jet lag symptoms.
Stick to one drink if you must, and balance it with plenty of water. Non-alcoholic carbonated beverages are also not the best on airplanes.
For a refreshing “safe” option, try sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime.
Additional Considerations for Plane-Friendly Eating
In addition keep in mind that the air inside a plane is very dry, and it easily can lead to dehydration. Drink water regularly throughout the flight and avoid caffeine-heavy beverages like coffee or energy drinks.
Foods that come in tidy, sealed packaging are great for flights. They’re easy to store, less messy, usually come in small portions and don’t require extra utensils.
Some of the best foods are light sandwiches with turkey, chicken, or vegetarian wraps with minimal sauces.
Other perfect foods include fresh fruit like apples, bananas, or healthy snaks like protein bars or yogurt.
