Can you bring food on the plane?
When travelling, it's natural to think about how to get your trip off to a good start. Food is an essential part of that - especially if you have special dietary needs, are travelling with children or simply want to avoid expensive and often boring airline meals. That's why many people ask the simple question: can you bring food on the plane?
The answer is yes. You are allowed to bring food - both in your hand luggage and in your checked baggage. But the rules are not straightforward, especially when it comes to liquid food and security checks. In this guide, you'll get the full overview of what you're allowed to bring, how to pack food correctly and which foods can cause problems.
What are the rules on food in hand luggage?
You are generally allowed to bring food in your hand luggage as long as you comply with the applicable airport security rules. It's especially important to know the difference between solid and liquid food, as this is where most people misunderstand the rules.
Solid foods:
Foods such as sandwiches, rye bread sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, snacks and chocolate can be taken through security with no problem. There are no rules preventing you from bringing a homemade packed lunch as long as it doesn't contain liquids or sauces that can be classified as liquid. So you can pack a few slices of bread with cheese, a banana and a handful of nuts in your bag and take it onto the plane.
Fresh produce and animal products
You can bring fresh food, such as fruit and vegetables, but be aware that there may be import restrictions in the country you are travelling to - especially outside the EU. This applies for example:
Contact your airline or destination authorities if you are unsure about import rules.
Liquid foods:
Special restrictions apply when it comes to liquid foods.
This applies to e.g:
Soups and porridge
Yoghurt and skyr
Dressings and dips
Honey and jams
Nutella and spreads
Homemade dishes with sauces
Non-alcoholic drinks
Here you must follow the same rules as for liquids in general: everything must be in containers of max. 100 ml and the total amount of liquid must not exceed one litre. The containers must fit in a transparent, resealable plastic bag, which you must remove from your bag and display in a separate tray at the security checkpoint.
If you are unsure about hand luggage rules, read our blog post: Hand luggage rules
Can I bring drinks with me?
Drinks purchased before security screening are not allowed unless they comply with the liquids rules. Therefore, you can only bring liquids in containers of max. 100ml.
After the security check, however, the rules are different. You are free to buy non-alcoholic drinks in airport shops or cafés and bring them on board. These do not count towards the liquid limit as they are authorised by airport staff and come from controlled areas.
Note that liquids carried in checked baggage do not have a quantity limit as they do not have to go through security.
What about liquid medication and special needs?
Many travellers are unsure what the rules are for medication in hand luggage - especially if you need it during the flight. Here, special exceptions to the liquid rules apply. You are allowed to bring liquid medication over 100ml as long as it is necessary for the journey and you can prove it - for example with a prescription or a medical certificate.
The same goes for special diets and baby food, which may be allowed in larger quantities if the need is clear. However, you should still be prepared for security checkpoint staff to ask to inspect or test the contents.
If you are bringing medication or food for special needs, it's a good idea to pack it separately so you can easily display it. Also, make sure you have any paperwork ready to speed up the inspection. Remember: you are allowed to bring both pills and liquid medication, but you should always check with the airline and airport if in doubt.
What is not allowed in hand luggage?
It's important to know the prohibited items to avoid delays at security. In addition to weapons and dangerous items, you are not allowed to bring the following as food:
Large containers of liquid (over 100ml)
Soups, stews, smoothies
Liquid baby food (unless travelling with a child - this is allowed but must be presented)
Alcohol over 70% vol.
Also read: How many ml can you take in your hand luggage?
Can I bring food in my suitcase?
Yes, you are very welcome to do so. When you pack food in your checked baggage, the same restrictions do not apply as in hand luggage. This means that you can bring both liquid and solid foods as long as they are securely wrapped and don't pose a risk to other items in your baggage.
For example, jars of jam, jars of sauce, packaged soups, tinned or frozen foods - all items that would not normally pass through security. Make sure it's packed tightly in containers and preferably in plastic bags to avoid leakage.
But remember: just because it's allowed in your luggage doesn't mean you can import it into the country you're travelling to. Many countries outside the EU - and some destinations within - have strict rules for importing meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. In the worst case scenario, you risk customs confiscating the food on arrival.
Advice if you bring food on the plane
Avoid strong odours: Fish, eggs and cheese with strong aromas should be avoided out of consideration for other passengers.
Pack in transparent containers: This makes checking easier and faster.
Use tightly sealed packaging: Avoid leaks and spillages.
Ask staff for help: If in doubt about what you can bring, ask at check-in or security.
Consider the rules of your destination: Some countries have strict restrictions on importing fresh food, especially outside the EU.
Are e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids allowed to bring in?
E-cigarettes and associated liquids often cause confusion among travellers, but the rules are pretty clear. You can bring e-cigarettes on the plane, but they must be in your hand luggage and cannot be used on board. Vaping on the plane is strictly prohibited, and this applies to both regular and electronic cigarettes.
Liquids for e-cigarettes are considered liquids in the same way as perfumes, creams and drinks. This means that you can only carry up to 100 ml per container and the total amount must not exceed one litre. The liquid, like other liquids, must be stored in a transparent, resealable plastic bag, which you must present at the security checkpoint.
If you have larger quantities of e-liquid, they should be packed in your checked baggage, where the liquid restrictions do not apply. However, still remember to pack tightly and avoid leakage - especially if you're bringing multiple packs of liquid.
Conclusion
So, can you bring food on the plane? Yes - and it's actually quite easy once you know the rules. Solid foods are allowed in your hand luggage, while liquid foods are subject to liquid restrictions. Anything can be packed in your checked baggage as long as it's properly protected and you comply with the import regulations of the country of arrival. Also, remember to consider your fellow passengers and pack your food conveniently and odour-free.
By planning ahead, you can save money, avoid unwanted airline food and ensure a great travelling experience - with your own packed lunch within easy reach.
Get help if your flight is delayed or cancelled
Even if the food is fine, the travel experience can quickly be ruined by long delays, cancellations or overbooked flights. In such cases, Refundmore can help you claim the compensation you're entitled to. Under EU law, you may be entitled to up to €600 depending on the length of the flight and the duration of the delay - read more about your rights here. We handle all the paperwork and contact with the airline so you don't have to deal with the hassle and only pay if we win the case for you.
FAQ
Can you bring food on the plane?
Yes, all non-liquid food is allowed on board the aircraft. Liquid food is subject to the rules on liquids, where a maximum of 1 litre is allowed, divided into 100 ml containers.
Can I bring food on Norwegian flights?
Yes, you are allowed to bring food on Norwegian flights.
Can you bring food on Ryanair flights?
Yes, Ryanair allows its passengers to bring food on board the aircraft.
