TSA Approved: How I Pack Meals & Coffee for Long Flights

TSA Approved: How I Pack Meals & Coffee For Long Flights

As I type this, I’m sitting at my desk just laughing to myself. What a funny blog post to be writing! But so many people asked when I shared a glimpse on Instagram that here we are.

I posted this absolutely ridiculous photo and my DMs blew up. I’m talking dozens of “How in the world did you do this?” messages and just as many “Teach me your ways.” So here I am, doing both!

Here’s the real story: I can’t eat dairy, and while I can get away with gluten for a special occasions, that’s about it. I’ll have my one bagel sandwich a year and truly savor every bite, but after that, I’m done! My stomach hates it, my skin breaks out, and honestly, it’s just not worth it.

Airport food is great in a pinch, but when most of what’s available isn’t an option, you spend a lot of time traveling very hungry. And that’s not my idea of fun! So over time, I’ve become a little too good at packing my own meals for long flights. Protein bars only get you so far, you know?!

I love a good picnic, and this is basically that, just in airplane form. There’s something so satisfying about having food that you actually enjoy, especially when you know it won’t make you sick! It’s one less thing to worry about, and that peace of mind makes all the prep worth it.

Oh, and before you start thinking I’m too picky (ha!), let me clarify: I don’t mind cold food. Cold sweet potato fries? Love them. A cold chicken burger? Sign me up. So in that sense, I’m easy.

Now that you get it… let’s get into the logistics!

TSA-Approved Ice Packs & How I Meal Prep for the Plane

Hard-Shell Lunch Box — This one is my favorite. It’s sturdy, compact, and keeps everything cold.

TSA-Approved Ice Packs — These are small but mighty, and I’ve never had an issue bringing them through security. Our food was still cold when we landed 8 hrs later.

*Also, I asked our hotel if they could store the ice packs in their freezer the night before our flight home, and they so graciously did. The next morning, I stopped by a local deli, picked up a few things, and packed myself a dinner. It worked perfectly for the nine-and-a-half-hour flight home.

Disposable Containers — These are perfect for travel. You can recycle them after your flight or wash and reuse if you need.

Favorite Foods to Pack

Kale Salad
A kale salad is my go-to because it doesn’t get soggy. You can even dress it ahead of time. Here are some of my faves!

Hearty Protein
Chicken burgers are my usual (this is the recipe I make at home), but grilled chicken, meatballs, hard boiled eggs, or a regular burger work great too. Just avoid anything overly fragrant like fish.

Starch
Sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries hold up so well cold. Always an easy yes.

Muffins
You know I love a muffin (favorites here!). These travel beautifully and make the perfect in-flight snack.

Travel Coffee Situation

A few months ago, Ryan discovered Cometeer Coffee, and I’m not being dramatic when I say it changed our lives. It’s high-quality frozen coffee that comes in pre-portioned pods! All you do is melt one with hot water and suddenly, you have the perfect cup. You can even enjoy it hot, iced, or add steamed milk!

For our flight, we packed a few coffee pods in the lunch box along with some oat milk packets, which are amazing for travel. Before we landed, we asked the flight attendant for two cups of hot water, and there we were, sipping the best coffee we’ve ever had at 30,000 feet. What a treat!

—-

So there you have it. My slightly over-the-top but genuinely useful system. Judging by how many of you messaged me, I’m not the only one who loves an in-flight picnic. Let me know if this helps and how you pack your next plane picnic!