Whether you are a frequent flyer or occasional tourist you may well find yourself eating at the airport. This can be especially true if your flight happens to be delayed and you find yourself with a couple of hours or more to kill. Tempting though it may be just to grab whatever takes your fancy, you should bear in mind that you will have to spend time on the plane soon after your meals, so savvy eating is a bonus.
Where to Eat
There is usually a good selection of food outlets at airports – and of course the more significant the establishment, the more choice you will find. But before you rush in you should consider what happens next. Once you are on your flight, which will be a relief if you have been delayed, you are then forced to spend most of the flight sat down in a chair, with limited movement. So, pick somewhere that matches your genuine hungry need not just what you fancy. Heavy, fatty meals are lovely but can sit really heavily on the system, and you do not want to spend the whole journey feeling ill with indigestion.
Eat Smart
If you are travelling with kids, this is especially important. Eating is a great way to kill some time, and when you are delayed entertaining little ones can be even more difficult than your original plans. However, remember that kids can be hungry again a short time later, so you may be better sticking with low-calorie type snacks and eating little and often. Sneaky parent tip alert! Choose something that takes a while to eat, and pick menus that cater to children by offering free colouring books or little toys as this extends the time you can amuse them for easily.
Food to Watch
As adults, it is also sensible to avoid anything that dehydrates the body, as air cabins are pressurised, and you could end up feeling quite headachy and unwell. This means that alcohol should be avoided or at very least kept to a minimum as should foods that have a high salt content.
More About Delays
If your flight has been delayed for two hours or more, you can expect to receive food and drink vouchers from the airport, and this makes things a bit easier for everyone. It is worth noting that compensation is a predefined area, and if your flight is departing from an EU country then you could be entitled to claim if you have found yourself waiting for more than three hours for a flight delay to be rectified. This should lessen the stress you will have to deal with, and while it does not make up for the issue at the time it does go some way to helping with any extra expenses you may incur should the worst happen. If you are given food and drink vouchers keep copies of these to submit with your claim, and do make sure you check your entitlement to claim, and if you do meet the criteria lodge the application appropriately.