Successes:

grain salads (wheat berries w/caramelized onions and dried cranberries)
pre-sliced apples tossed with apple cider vinegar to prevent browning
burritos (when coming from Texas -- a little messy but TOTALLY worth it)

Failures:

beet salad -- messy AND scary to look at

I used to regularly travel with salt and pepper tofu with watercress, takeout from Le Cheval in Oakland . . .

now I just wish someone would mail me some!

I actually just took several domestic flights, and they all served food. (This was coach, on Continental.) The food, of course, was not GOOD, but it was food.

I'm always impressed by people who are organized enough to bring meals for the plane. It's all I can do to get out the door. Impressed, and jealous. These are great suggestions.

For our honeymoon, I packed barbecued shrimp; tiny sandwiches of prosciutto, salami, gruyere and honey turkey; mozz/tom/basil salad; fresh green salads; and a tiny chocolate mousse for each of us. Plastic silverware setups I got from the local deli; all dressings in old spice bottles; food in tupperwares/plastic bags; brought paper plates. I also brought a Cali sparkling wine split. We gave our leftovers to the stewardesses, who gave us a bottle of VC on our way out. This was, of course, a few years ago.

Recently, for the family, I packed green salads, rolls, turkey sandwiches, apples, popcorn and baby kit kats. I put the kids food in leftover goody boxes, and the loved it.

Generally, the less silverware, the better. I beg takeout containers from the places I usually get my lunch. I pack everything into a relatively small shopping bag, and I give the flight attendants any undisturbed leftovers. This is a bag that goes on the main flight and in the trash from there, so its not weighing me down.

This sort of planning is a necessity for people who observe dietary laws, because they might not have access to food resources at their destination (due to timing, etc).

On a long haul flight, a decent snack makes a big difference. But we nearly never eat the entire meal - it just makes you feel so heavy.

In August, they took away our grapes on an intereuropean flight going through LHR, but let us take liquor.

Some of my favorite suggestions are in Amanda Hesser's 'Cooking for Mr. Latte'. The book is a gem on it's own, and the chapter regarding airline flights will inspire anyone to pack their own treats.

The last domestic trip I took was preceded by a trip to our local cheese shop. Some nice (not stinky) cheese, chutney, crackers and chocolate really hit the spot on the long flight. Thankfully, my next flight is on British Air and hopefully (fingers crossed) I'll get bumped up to Business Class and their delicious food. I got a leek and mushroom crumble that I still think about!

Are passengers still allowed to take food on board with all the new restrictions these days, or do they just have to make sure everything's in a ziploc bag?

mmmmm... Le Cheval!

Love all the new ideas! I just flew domestic. No food served. (American). They let us keep our grapes, but took our yogurt and starting today, you can bring water on board again. (if you buy it after you go through security) Yay!
I'm surprised they'd take grapes but not liquor. Go figure.

When we flew to Boston recently I made sure to pack fresh and juicy fruit, even though it was a gamble, because I was worried about getting enough water (and sure enough, they ran out of water). I brought pluots that were so flavorful they tasted fake. I also brought sandwiches made from buttered bread and Niman Ranch smoked ham and some chocolate (yes to the best you can find and the comfort). But the most important thing to bring? Good earplugs!

regards,
trillium

Thankfully, you can still buy a gin and tonic on most flights...my essential in-flight nourishment.

These are some great suggestions everyone! Prociutto and spreads-reminds me of coming back from Italy this summer with olives and prociutto sandwiches.

These are also good daily lunch ideas!

Be sure to check and see what they'll serve you before you bother to pack some snacks.

I recently took an international flight on Continental. They served two meals (8 hour flight). While it's still airplane food, it was pretty decent. I had the vegetarian meal on both flights; it was a regular offering, not something you had to request 24 hours ahead). Tons of food: it was a salad, roll, cheese & crackers, Indian meal (curried beans & lentils w/yellow rice), and a cookie. I couldn't eat it all. 4-5 hours later, they served breakfast on one flight and lunch on another. Add in the peanuts and ice cream served inbetween and I felt like I was always eating or drinking something!

I did bring a Cadbury's candy bar in my purse on the way back. The flight attendants searching my bag at the gate joked that they'd have to confiscate it. ;) I never ate it because there was so much food.

And I realize it was a post concerning domestic flights, but some carriers like Continental definitely do feed you. :) Always check beforehand, so you can save some room in your carry-on.

I am flying to Italy tomorrow and planning to bring apple brie and pepperjelly panini, and coconut chocolate chip oatmeal walnut cookies. And some apples. We'll buy water inside the security checkpoint but a split of sparkling wine would be heavenly! In spite of the cookies I think we may have a deficiency in the chocolate department, must rectify.

When we lived in Seattle, we used to stop at Salumi on the way to the airport. People would glare at us as we unwrapped our glamorous sandwiches and drank Pelligrino Limonata while they were stuck with rubber chicken and gnarly wine.

I always bring cheese when I fly. Not only has it saved me from horrible airplane food, but it's helpful when there's no good cheeses where I'm going. My personal favorite is Jasper Hill's Constant Bliss. Easy to cut with a plastic knife and serve simply with a bit of baguette. Plus, it doesn't stink. That said, my bag seems to get stopped at security every time because of the cheese.

I frequently fly with food, and here are my recommendations:

*If you take anything that security might deem a liquid or gel (yogurt, any kind of dip/dressing like ketchup or ranch, spreads like jelly or butter), put in a container that is 3 ounces or smaller, and all of your liquid containers must fit into a 1-quart plastic zip-top bag.

*Plan ahead and get individual servings of dips, dressings, spreads, and salt and pepper packets from fast-food restaurants to bring with you, in your quart baggie of course.

*Package your food in clear containers and take them out of your bag, so that the security personnel can inspect it without having to open the lid.

*For the consideration of your fellow passengers, do not take anything that is remotely stinky. Please do not take stinky cheese, curry, or anything with garlic or onions. They will stink up the entire cabin, not just the area near you.

*Bring food that is safe and tastes good at room temperature.

*If something must be cut into bite-size pieces, do it at home where you have access to a real knife. This will save much frustration later.

*Don't forget to pack disposable fork, spoon, and napkins.

*While you can't take bottled beverages through security, you can take an empty bottle. Fill it at a water fountain on the other side and add a flavor drink packet, like Crystal Light. So much cheaper than buying a drink at airport prices!

Honestly, just a bag of green beans can really make a different in a long flight. Fresh, juicy, no muss or fuss.