All the food and drink banned on EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI flights

Check your snacks before boarding(Picture: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

It’s no secret that plane food isn’t always the best. Cabin crew serve up meals full of salt to try and appeal to our taste buds, which change at 35,000 feet.

Former flight attendant, Charlotte Crocker, recently told Metro that food in economy is mostly ‘frozen’ and ‘not the greatest quality’.

As a result, she prefers to bring snacks from home, packing lunchboxes full of instant porridge, oatcakes, packet soups and tea bags. 

But, if you’re tempted to do the same, be careful. There are strict rules to follow when it comes to what you can take on a plane — and some might surprise you.

If you’ve got a holiday booked with TUI, Ryanair, Easyjet or Jet2, here’s everything you need to know about eating and drinking on your flight. 

But one key thing to know before we get into the nitty gritty – and this applies to all the airlines – passengers are not allowed to drink alcohol on the plane that hasn’t been purchased on board.  

You can’t drink any alcohol you didn’t buy on board (Picture: Getty Images)

So, if you stock up on bottles of vodka or gin in Duty Free, remember to keep them sealed in your cabin bag. Those found knocking back their own booze can face prosecution.

And did you know it’s illegal to be drunk on a plane?

That’s according to the Air Navigation Order 2016. Staff can deny boarding if they think you’re drunk. They can also remove you from a flight before takeoff. 

Anyone who gets drunk and disorderly on a plane can face a fine of up to £5,000 and a maximum of two years in jail.

If a plane is diverted because of your behaviour, you could also face a lifetime ban from the airline.

TUI

Those going on holiday with TUI can take their own food on flights, but they recommend bringing ‘low-risk’ items such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold.

This is because they can’t provide heating facilities for food on board.

The only exception to this is infant milk, as it can be warmed in hot water. 

For short and mid-haul flights, passengers can buy hot and cold snacks from the airline’s cafe range, as well as drinks from the bar.

Most airlines provide a meal, depending on the length of your flight (Picture: Getty Images)

For flights longer than three and a half hours (excluding Morocco, Portugal and long-haul destinations), a hot meal can be pre-ordered. On long-haul flights, meals are included.

If passengers are travelling with a severe nut allergy, you might not be allowed to eat anything you’ve brought with you, and nut products will not be available from the in-flight bar service.

However, TUI warns they can’t guarantee a completely nut-free environment. 

EasyJet 

Food is allowed on the plane, as long as you’re following regulations, which include liquid restrictions for food like soup or custard. 

Their website states: ‘You can bring food into the cabin, although we do sell a range of delicious food and drink on board. 

‘There’s a 100ml limit for liquid food, like soup or custard. Different countries have different regulations about importing food and drink, so make sure you check the rules for your destination.’

This limit doesn’t apply to baby food, milk or sterilised water for infants, provided the total amount isn’t more than two litres. Those bringing any of these items on a plane may be asked to taste them for ‘security reasons’. 

Hot drinks are permitted if they’ve been purchased at the airport and have a lid. Alcohol purchased in the departure lounge is allowed on the plane, provided it is unopened.

They add: ‘Alcohol must be lower than 70% abv, and packed either in an airport shopping bag or in your cabin bag. It’s strictly forbidden to drink any alcohol that has not been purchased on board the aircraft and those found consuming their own alcohol may face prosecution.’

Ryanair 

According to Ryanair’s ‘Feel Free’ policy, passengers can bring food and soft drinks on board planes. However, hot drinks and alcohol are banned and cabin crew will confiscate any items that break these rules. 

‘In the interest of safety, we cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks or consume their own alcohol during the flight,’ the airline explains. 

Baby milk, powdered milk, sterilised water and baby food are all ok on Ryanair flights even if they exceed ‘the usual limits’.

They add: ‘These don’t need to fit in the transparent bag that is needed for all other liquids but please have them ready for inspection by airport security.’

Ryanair cabin crew will confiscate banned items (Picture: Getty Images)

Jet2 

Jet2’s baggage restrictions state that passengers are not permitted to carry any items which may affect the safety, health or comfort of other passengers, including ‘hot or strong smelling foods and drinks’, so you’ll want to keep that in mind before travelling.

The airline also warns against bringing any perishable items on the flight. 

However, they pride themselves on having a ‘big choice’ of food and drinks, with meal deals, including a drink, snacks, toasties, sandwiches, pizzas and wraps, as well as various other dishes. 

This article was originally published on 24 June 2025 and has been updated.

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