Is it a good idea to book in flight meals and if so why?

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radiancia

If you can manage to be organized you dont need to pay 20 dollars for their optional on board meal. While it is more convienient to be served like that with everyone else, if you want to save a few bucks go buy yourself a few snacks at the grocery store before you leave and pick up a meal at one of the takeout restaurants before you go. Depends how long your flight is too - if its supposed to be a breakfast meal after 6 hours of flight you might want to pick the inflight meal anyways because you'll be hungry by then. If its a three-four hour flight dont bother buy you own.

ribena

Reasons not to opt for meal on board:
- they add a lot of stuff to your food to make it tastier (as your taste buds change because of the altitude)
- the food makes you bloated, because of the above reasons

Reasons to purchase in flight meal:
- when you eat, time goes faster, and you don't feel 'singled out' from other passengers, especially as the aircraft starts smelling of food and you start dribbling
- the MAIN reason to book a meal - most passengers are NOT aware of this, but if you do not have a meal, the charter airlines will automatically pre-seat you so the crew know where the no meal passengers are, and who needs to be fed. This basically means that if you are fussy about where you want to be seated, you will not have a choice and no amount of complaining will get you anywhere. Furthermore, if you are travelling with other people, you may be seated across the aisle from each other (the airline still classes this as seated together). So if you want a choice of seats, pre book your meal. Just make sure you are early at the airport, othewise this rule does not apply as the seats may be limited. Then again, you have the option of paying extra to be together, but that is another topic.

annie

You will find that no matter how full up and disinterested in food you were when you boarded, when everyone else starts eating around you, you will want some!

Tia

I think it is a good idea.
When booking and asked "do you want meals" I always say no, because then the flight/holiday is cheaper.
However, when I'm at the airport I always buy something to eat for on the plane. This usually ends up being a baguette, with a drink and ends up being more expensive and less filling.
Also, as someone else pointed out, when everyone else gets handed there meals you will regret it.

mike-from-spain

Depends whether you like airline food or not, I usually just take some sandwiches with me on short hauls, and on long hauls the meals are usually part of the seat cost.

AngelWings

Depends on whether you want to eat during the flight? If you don't book meals then you won't be provided with any and you may have to pay much more than you would have by pre-booking simply to purchase some food onboard. As long as you're not too picky about what you'll eat, I'd pre-book some meals especially if its a long flight.

Pebbles

only if its a longish flight if not i wouldn't bother - i didnt book in flight meals the other year and i saved about ВЈ30 everyone started having a picnic mid- flight it was great

Billybean

It all depends on which airline and the type of flight e.g. a short hop to France from the UK or a long haul to Los Angeles.
It also depends on whether you are diabetic, vegetarian, halal or kosher.
Generally speaking on the longer flights you automatically get meals included in the fare. (Get the pun; good one Billybean) They are also generally pretty poor, although Air Malaysia, Singapore Airlines and Jet Airways (in India) provide some very tasty stuff. The main advantage of airline meals is that it breaks the monotony of flying, which is an extremely boring business at the best of times.

Andy M

One reason never to book a meal is that it will pretty much discount you from an operational upgrade.

To get an Op Up the airlines look for people travelling on their own and that are flexible, if you have booked a specific meal you are less "flexible"

knowitall

I have no idea.
I fly long haul a few times a year, (scheduled Flights) and the meal is included.
Usually plastic chicken or plastic pasta.( I nearly ate the knives and forks once, could not tell the difference)..lol
But, on long haul ANY food will do..lol

LoLs

if you are a child, yes. If you are an adult, no. Flight meals for children can have special stuff on them if they are prebooked, and children can't wait for a long period of time..but then, for adults, it's all the same food! (for most airlines) the difference lies in the time you take to get food :D

JOSEPH S

have you tried eating that overpriced ****,dont bother take some fruit instead

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