As summer travel season heats up, thousands of British holidaymakers are packing their bags and their snacks for flights with budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI.
But before you stuff your hand luggage with homemade sandwiches or a flask of coffee, it pays to know which food and drink items are strictly off-limits. Here’s a look at the rules and what you can safely bring onboard.
Why are there food and drink restrictions?
Airlines enforce food and drink bans for a mix of safety, security, and comfort reasons. Liquids over 100ml are a well-known security no-go at airport screening, but the rules don’t stop there. Cabin crews also want to avoid spills, strong smells, and potential allergic reactions, all while maintaining a pleasant environment for everyone onboard.
What’s banned on easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI?
easyJet
easyJet allows passengers to bring their own food onboard, but there are important restrictions:
- Hot drinks: You cannot bring hot drinks onboard, though you can purchase them after security and bring them onto the plane if they have a secure lid.
- Alcohol: You are not permitted to drink your own alcohol during the flight. Any alcohol you bring must remain unopened.
- Meat and dairy (EU Flights): You cannot bring meat or dairy products from the UK into the EU due to post-Brexit rules.
- Other foods: Cold food, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks under 100ml are allowed, but anything with a strong smell or that is perishable is discouraged.
Ryanair
Ryanair’s policy is similar but with some notable differences:
- Hot drinks and hot food: Passengers are not allowed to bring hot drinks or hot food onboard at all.
- Alcohol: As with other airlines, you cannot consume your own alcohol on the flight.
- Meat and dairy (EU Flights): No meat or dairy products from the UK are allowed into the EU.
- Other foods: Cold snacks are permitted, but anything likely to spill or cause discomfort to others is discouraged.
Jet2
Jet2 enforces some of the strictest rules regarding food and drink:
- Hot food and drinks: All hot food and drinks are banned from being brought onboard.
- Alcohol: You cannot drink your own alcohol on the flight.
- Meat and dairy (EU Flights): Meat and dairy products from the UK are not allowed into the EU.
- Other foods: Cold snacks are generally allowed, but strong-smelling or messy foods are discouraged.
TUI
TUI’s policy is in line with the other airlines, with a few specific notes:
- Hot food and drinks: Passengers are not allowed to bring hot food or hot drinks onboard, except for baby bottles, which can be warmed by the crew.
- Alcohol: You cannot drink your own alcohol during the flight.
- Meat and dairy (EU Flights): Meat and dairy products from the UK cannot be brought into the EU.
- Other foods: Cold snacks are permitted, but perishable or strong-smelling items are best avoided.
What can you bring on easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI?
Despite the restrictions, you’re still allowed to bring most cold, pre-packaged snacks – think fruit, crisps, cereal bars, and plain bread rolls. Non-alcoholic drinks under 100ml are also fine through security, and anything bought airside (after security) can usually be carried on. Baby food and milk are permitted in larger quantities, though you may be asked to taste them at security.
Top tips for travellers
Check before you pack: Airline websites and government travel pages are your best sources for up-to-date rules.
Think of your fellow passengers: Avoid anything messy, smelly, or likely to spill.
Buy airside if in doubt: Anything purchased after security is almost always allowed onboard.
Remember destination rules: Especially for flights to the EU, meat and dairy bans are strictly enforced.
In summary, you can bring snacks aboard easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI, but hot food, hot drinks (unless sealed and bought at the airport), your own alcohol, and meat or dairy products for EU flights are all off-limits. Stick to cold, simple snacks and check the rules before you fly for a hassle-free start to your holiday.