What You Can and Can’t Bring on Board: Food and Drink Rules with TUI, easyJet, Ryanair & Jet2

Planning to pack your own snacks for the flight? You're not alone.

Onboard food prices can quickly add up, especially if you're travelling as a family or on a long journey. But before you load up your hand luggage, it's worth knowing exactly what you're allowed to bring — and what might be taken off you at security or during the flight.

Each airline has its own rules, but there are some common restrictions that could catch you out.

Here’s what to know before you fly.

What's Not Allowed Onboard

Hot food or drinks:

Jet2 doesn’t allow passengers to bring hot food or hot drinks on board at all. easyJet and Ryanair will allow you to carry a hot drink if it’s been bought at the airport and has a secure lid, but they won’t serve or heat anything you’ve brought yourself. TUI only allows warming bottles for babies — so forget about packing that flask or heating up leftovers mid-air.

Your own alcohol:

This is a common one. You can’t drink any alcohol you’ve brought on board yourself, even if it’s in your carry-on. Whether it’s a miniature or a bottle from duty-free, all airlines require alcohol to be bought and served by the cabin crew. If you open your own, it could be confiscated.

Meat and dairy products (when flying to the EU):

Thanks to post-Brexit changes, meat and dairy items from the UK can’t be taken into the EU. That means no cheese sandwiches, yoghurts, or meat-based snacks in your hand luggage if you’re flying to countries like Spain, France or Italy. Even items bought at the airport can be subject to these rules on arrival.

Strong-smelling or perishable items:

Jet2 also advises against bringing anything fragile, perishable or overly strong-smelling, such as seafood or pungent cheese. It’s about comfort in a shared space, and a courtesy that’s worth considering even if you’re flying with a different airline.

What You Can Bring

You can still bring your own food on board — it just needs to be cold, contained, and easy to manage. Snacks like fruit, crisps, cereal bars and plain bread rolls are usually fine. Soft drinks are permitted, but liquids must follow the 100ml hand luggage limit unless bought airside.

Most airlines will allow you to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks bought at the airport through to the aircraft, which gives you options if you don’t want to rely on the in-flight menu.

Baby food and milk are allowed, including larger liquid volumes, but you may be asked to taste or test them at security.

Travel Smart, Pack Smart

If you're thinking of bringing your own bits and bites, it’s all about keeping it simple. Cold, dry, low-odour items are your safest bet — and always double-check your destination’s customs rules, especially if you’re landing somewhere with agricultural restrictions.

These guidelines can make the difference between a smooth journey and having to say goodbye to your carefully packed snack stash.

Why Booking with a Travel Consultant Changes Everything

The little things — like what food you can bring onboard — are often overlooked in the holiday planning process. But they’re the kind of details that can really impact your travel experience.

That’s where booking with a Travel Consultant is a real game changer.

Rather than spending hours on comparison sites and second-guessing airline policies, I'll take care of everything — flights, hotels, transfers, and yes, even advice on what to pack in your hand luggage. You get personal recommendations based on how you like to travel, what matters to you, and what kind of holiday you're craving.

I'll make sure you’re booked on the best flight times, know about baggage rules, have airport lounges sorted, and aren’t caught out by last-minute surprises. And the best part? This service is available at no extra cost compared to booking it all yourself.

So whether it’s your first trip in a while or your fifth this year, having a dedicated expert in your corner makes all the difference — before, during, and after your trip.

Ready to travel smarter? Send me a message to start planning with real peace of mind.