Past Peckish: Essential Carry-On Food Guide For Flying

I was visiting my cousin in Ireland. He hadn't been home for months and I'd just landed in England for a six-month jaunt.

A fellow Queenslander, I knew he'd be missing the sweet godly nectar of Bundaberg Rum, so I brought my own bottled in a generous flask.

Only I forgot it was in my carry-on.

I got my flask back, but the officious employee at Heathrow Airport security poured it all out, leaving only the scent of Bundy on the inside. What cruelty.

Too many other travellers on international flights have encountered similar situations. Whether it's a precious snack you're saving for the flight, or you feel inflight meal services leave a lot to be desired, or you're simply delivering a friend's favourite drink, your heart will be more crushed than your checked bag if it's confiscated.

So, what food can you take on an international flight? Here's how to avoid the heartbreak.

Note: The following may vary depending on your destination, so be sure to check with the country's customs website before packing.

In Australia, any food item that can be classified as a pure solid is generally allowed onto domestic flights and international flights in your carry-on baggage. Whether this solid food will be welcomed by your fellow passengers on a long flight is another thing entirely.

The following items of your own food handle plane conditions well and make for quality mid-flight snacks for kids as well:

• Dried fruit
• Muesli bars
• Packaged snacks like chips
• Baby formula (and breast milk)
• Protein powder
• Pre-made sandwiches (avoid tomato or anything with juice unless you want soggy bread)
• Celery, carrot sticks and other edible raw vegetables
• Nuts
• Pre-made salad
• Pre-made pasta dish
• Bite-sized snacks
• Pre-packed cereal, in the bowl packaging (ask for milk from the attendants)
• Fast food is technically allowed, but we recommend eating it early on in the flight
• Cakes and pies (may receive additional screening)
• Ice packs (must be frozen solid when going through airport security, or they'll be classes as a liquid and be over the 100ml carry-on liquid limit.)

Items to avoid out of respect for yourself and other passengers when you bring food include:

• Soft fruits such as banana or avocado, which might get squashed in your bag
• Kimichi, durian, meat products or any other items of food that have a powerful and off-putting odour, including those containing spices.

However, it's important to note that many countries including Australia prohibit certain food items (like fresh fruit, vegetables and bee products) from entering their borders on international flights, even if they are sealed properly in your checked bag and you declare them. So, when you bring food in your carry-on bags, make sure that all your uneaten items are binned either inflight or at the airport of your destination country before you go through customs.

Keep in mind that in Australia the following liquid food items can be brought onto a flight as carry-on if less than 100 millilitres (and not in containers larger than 100 millilitres). However, seeing that it's extremely difficult to find liquids packaged in such a small size (unless you do it yourself), most view these as prohibited. This applies to both domestic flights and international flights.

The above rule only applies for food items deemed liquids or gels.

• Jam and syrup
• Sauce
• Dips and spreads
• Soup
• Salad dressing
• Oil and vinegar
• Salsa
• Baked beans or anything solid that's sitting in a liquid substance
• Gravy
• Gel-based sport supplement
• Yogurt
• Soft cheese
• Wine, liquor and beer (does not apply to duty-free goods: see arrival country's rules on this)
• Prescription medicines and other medically necessary liquid
• Coolant gel packs

When deciding to bring your own food on domestic flights or international flights in your carry-on bag, there are five golden rules to avoid getting into hot water and being subject to fines:

Although forks and plastic butter knives are allowed, this is one area that's more subjective.

Don't waste your good food or expensive liquor down some airport terminal sink. Alternatively, you can choose to consume it before flying.

When flying with an infant you'll find the carry-on food regulations significantly relaxed. You may bring breast milk in reasonable quantities along with additional amounts of liquid food for infants.

It's still possible to transport your larger food items in your checked luggage, not via your carry-on bag. You can also choose to ship items to your destination country if that's more convenient.

Air on a plane is recycled, so depending on your flight, you might have to endure the smell for hours (along with searing glares from everyone nearby).

Now that you know how to bring snacks, stop dreaming, start packing - your centre for travel has the rest covered!

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