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Don’t find yourself stuck without a snack the next time you’re on a plane. Bringing snacks on your flight can make or break your travel experience. Choose foods with nutrition parameters that keep you satisfied while flying. There’s a difference between a good airplane snack and one that could get easily damaged, become spoiled, or lack the nutrition and energy you need for your trip.
Key Components of a Great Airplane Snack
When you’re getting ready to fly, plan your snacks as part of your preparation. There are a few key things to keep in mind for your snack plan. Be sure you have snacks that:
Pack Easily
A good plane snack holds up to being packed in a purse, backpack, or suitcase. You may need to consider protecting your snack (think crackers or fruit you don’t want to get smashed) with simple packaging like a small, portable, and packable container.
You’ll want snacks to be easily accessible. Place them in the pockets of your carry-on luggage so they’re easy to grab for a quick boost when you’re at the airport, waiting for a flight, mid-air, or waiting at baggage claim. If you plan to eat snacks while on the airplane, stick them in the bag you will put under the seat in front of you rather than in the luggage that will go in the overhead compartment.
Don’t Require Refrigeration
Focus on shelf-stable, plant-based snacks that will keep even if you experience unexpected travel delays. If you bring something on the plane that requires refrigeration (perhaps you bought a snack at the airport before takeoff), be sure to eat it within a few hours.
Provide Beneficial Nutrition
A good-quality snack will keep you satisfied and energized. Look for airplane snacks with 100-250 calories to give you some between-meal energy. It’s even better if your snack has protein and fiber! Focus on quality ingredients like plant-based protein and whole grains, and read the labels for snacks to ensure they fit your dietary needs. LUNA® Bar is gluten-free with ≤210 calories, 2-4 grams of fiber (9-16% DV), and 7-9 grams of protein per bar — making it a wholesome, delicious, on-the-go plane snack that checks all the boxes.
Taste Delicious
Plane snacks shouldn’t be boring. Ensure you have foods you look forward to eating during your flight. Seek out snacks with crave-worthy flavors and textures that taste amazing. Looking forward to a delicious snack you know you’ll enjoy eating is sometimes the best part of the snacking experience on long travel days.
Types of Airplane Snacks
If you’re on a plane, you’ll need to pack various snacks to suit every need and mood. Here are some options that offer flavors and textures you’ll never grow bored of:
Snacks To Pack for a Short Flight
A short flight often requires just a light bite to munch on. Usually, about 100-200 calories will be enough to keep you satisfied while traveling on a plane for short distances. Choose snacks that taste great and have nutritional value with protein, fiber, and wholesome ingredients.
1. LUNA Minis
LUNA® Minis provide the same LUNA experience but in a smaller size. At 90 calories, they come in our most popular craveable flavors — LemonZest® Flavor or Chocolate Peppermint Stick®.
2. Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit like an apple, orange, tangerine, or banana are classic grab-and-go foods that come in their own packaging.
3. Whole-Grain Crackers
You can also toss in a squeezable, single-serve pack of peanut or almond butter if you want to boost the protein and healthy fat with this snack.
4. CLIF® Thins
CLIF® Thins are crispy, crunchy snack bars with 100 calories, 5 grams of sugar, and plant-based, organic ingredients like rolled oats. CLIF Thins are a great snack-time pick-me-up to be enjoyed any time during your plane travels and come in flavors like Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Brownie, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Flavor.
5. Kale Chips
Kale chips are often sold in airport convenience shops, or you can make them ahead of time and pack them somewhere they won’t get crushed.
6. Raisins
A 1-oz box of raisins is an ideal snack-size portion that’s easy to grab and eat.
7. Nuts or Seeds
A handful of nuts or seeds can be a perfect mini-snack. Consider a portion with 20 pistachios, 15 almonds, and a ¼ cup of sunflower or pumpkin seeds in the shell.
8. Seaweed Snacks
Seaweed snacks are often sold in individual smash-resistant packaging, or you can pack them in your own container.
9. Pretzels
Pretzels are an excellent plane snack — keep them at the top of your bag so they remain whole and don’t break during your flight.
10. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs make a perfect high-protein plane snack if you’ll be eating them quickly (you won’t want them to be away from refrigeration for over four hours). Pro-tip: Pre-shell them and slice them in half so they’re easy to grab and eat.
Snacks To Pack for a Long Flight
A longer flight may require multiple snacks or snacks that have more calories to hold you over and keep hunger at bay while traveling. Focus on snacks that don’t require refrigeration during a long travel day.
11. Applesauce or Fruit-Puree
Individual-sized applesauce or fruit-puree pouches are a great way to get in a serving of fruit — bonus if you can find one with chia seeds or oats for extra fiber!
12. LUNA® Bar
LUNA® Bar in a tart flavor like LemonZest® Flavor are perfect for when a fruity craving strikes, while Chocolate Peppermint Stick or Nutz Over Chocolate® Flavor satisfy a desire for chocolate. LUNA bar is a gluten-free snack with the nutrition you want in flavors you love. Bonus: They have 7-9 grams of plant protein per bar.
13. Jerky
Jerky is a versatile, savory snack. Consider different varieties like salmon, mushroom, tofu, or classic beef.
14. Roasted Chickpeas
Make your own at home to pack or grab a package at the airport. These come in many flavors, so you can mix up your snacks depending on your cravings.
15. Trail Mix
Trail mix made with nuts, seeds, salty popcorn, and dried fruit like raisins, mangoes, or apricots is a simple, sweet, salty, and crunchy homemade snack.
16. Dehydrated Veggie Chips
Dehydrated veggie chips can typically be found in airport convenience stores, but it’s fun to make your own in the oven before you go too. Consider it airplane snack meal prep.
17. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole-wheat bread never fails. Pack this somewhere where it won’t get smooshed!
18. Popcorn
Be it salty, sweet, or plain, this crunchy snack is perfect for your in-flight entertainment.
Plane travel is more enjoyable and less stressful when you’ve planned to have portable, nutritious, and delicious snacks on hand. Get creative with sweet, savory, and mini options to be prepared for long travel days and enjoy the journey!