Food and drink rules for easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and BA – what you can bring

Many Brits are looking for ways to stretch their money, especially when going on holiday, and one way to save is to avoid buying food while on a flight.

While it offers a range of options, airplane food can cost a pretty penny, with snacks, drinks and lunch options from the trolley costing more than usual. But it turns out that airlines have rules about what scran can be brought on board – with guidelines varying between carriers.

One way to save before your flight is to bring your own food, either from home or bought in the departure lounge. With shops like Boots, Pret and M&S Food in British airports, passengers can buy a cheaper sandwich or meal deal for their journey.

Those who want to save more can bring their own food through security and onto the plane, as long as it’s not liquid, like soup. Sandwiches and salads are usually okay – but remember to eat it or throw it away before landing because there are rules about what food you can bring into other countries.

The EU, for example, doesn’t let passengers bring fresh meat or dairy from the UK into its countries, Manchester Evening News reports.

Some airlines’ rules are clearer than others, but easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and British Airways all allow passengers to bring their own food on board. Meanwhile, Jet2’s rules are a bit less clear but suggest cold food is okay and rules differ for baby food – up to a litre of which can be brought on flights.

Remember, you can carry solid food items in your hand baggage while at the airport, but liquid rules apply to things such as soup or custard. All liquids should be packed in separate, clear bottles which hold no more than 100ml each.

During the flight, you can’t sip on your own alcoholic drinks, even if you purchased it from Duty Free. If you feel like having a tipple mid-air, pick something from the onboard trolley.

Read below for all food and drink rules for easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and British Airways.

easyJet

EasyJet is fine with passengers munching on their own food during the flight. The same 100ml container rule applies for any homemade liquids, including soups.

You’re allowed non-alcoholic drinks including hot ones bought from the departure lounge.

Ryanair

Ryanair also invites passengers to bring their own food and cold drinks on board. There is a ‘but’ here – steaming hot beverages don’t make the cut on Ryanair flights, as well as booze not sold on board.

“In the interest of safety we cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks or consume their own alcohol during the flight,” reads their rule book.

Jet2

Jet2 doesn’t have a problem with cold snacks and drinkable goods being brought onto their planes. But it does come down hard on heated products, whether food or drink.

Although not explicitly mentioned, the airline doesn’t forbid carrying cold foods such as sandwiches from home or the departure lounge. It is important to note, Jet2 prohibits food items that are banned in your destination country.

In practical terms, this could mean household staples like meat and dairy products could end up being taken away from you if your journey is bound for an EU country.

Jet2 has stated that passengers cannot 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.”

However, if you can get it through security, fit it in your bag and it doesn’t have a strong smell, you should be okay to bring your own cold food and snacks on board.

TUI

If you’re flying with TUI, you can bring your own food on board and it suggests bringing “low-risk food such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold”.

TUI also says: “You can also carry foods for special dietary requirements as long as it’s essential for the flight or holiday.”

British Airways

British Airways allows passengers to take solid foods, including “sandwiches, biscuits, fruit and nuts” onto the plane. Liquids like drinks, soups, sauces, jams and jellies must be in clear containers with a capacity of no more than 100ml.

British Airways adds: “You can buy duty-free liquids, gels or cream products of more than 100ml from airport shops or on board, provided that they have been sealed at the point of purchase in a Security Tamper Evident Bag with the receipt inside.”

However, British Airways also warned: “The country of your destination may restrict the types of food allowed into the country, e.g. meat, fresh fruit and vegetables are forbidden by many countries.”

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