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Do you get a free meal on international flights?

As a general rule, you can expect to have to pay for food and drinks on short haul, regional and domestic flights. On long haul, international flights, meals, snacks, and drinks are usually included, but not always.



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Complimentary meals, drinks and snacks are included on all international flights. Depending on the length of the flight and departure time, you'll receive either a complimentary snack, a fresh sandwich or a hot meal. Complimentary meals, drinks and snacks are included on all intercontinental flights.

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Check your flights itinerary and it'll either specify what, if any meals are served, or it will say food for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks are still free on airlines. If it is that important, make sure to have snacks handy.

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Economy class meal service varies by flight time: flights under 2 hours: a snack. flights over 2 hours: a main meal. flights over 7 hours: a main meal and snack.

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flights over 7 hours: a main meal and snack. flights over 12 hours: two main meals and a snack.

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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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Yes, you may ask politely. We usually will give you an extra, but we limit two to each passenger. I don't think it is against flight policy to honor your request for extra food.

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Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

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United offers complimentary meals in coach on international flights. In coach class on North American flights (including flights to the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico) of two hours or longer, a complimentary snack is given.

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If you're on a short or mid-haul flight – that's anything less than seven hours including Cape Verde – you'll find our Café menu on board. It's packed with tempting treats, snacks and drinks, plus great-value meal deals and a range of hot food, too. Check out the full Café menu here. *Selected products included.

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Economy. Fabulous food and drink is always included in Economy. Quality, tasty hot meals served with a starter, your choice of wine, spirits, beer or soft drinks – and pudding, of course.

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The Aviation Manual defines this very clearly. A flight is considered a long-haul flight when the distance exceeds 3,000 km and the flight time exceeds three and a half hours.

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Can you take food through airport security? Are you allowed to bring your own food/snacks on board a plane, or eat your own meal while waiting for your flight to depart? Yes, you are! Did you know that (in theory) you can even take a cheeseburger with you?

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The key is to choose fillings that keep well for a handful of hours without refrigeration: cheese, cured meats (think prosciutto), hummus, grilled vegetables, and greens. To prevent soggy bread, stay away from juicy fillings like sliced tomatoes and choose a thick bread like ciabatta, focaccia, or a baguette.

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Tip #2: Reduce waste and save some money by bringing a reusable water bottle. So you can't bring H20 or any other liquids more than 3.4 oz. (well there are some exceptions) through security, but you CAN bring an empty bottle. Just fill it up on your way to boarding your flight after screening.

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flights under 2 hours: a snack. flights over 2 hours: a main meal. flights over 7 hours: a main meal and snack. flights over 12 hours: two main meals and a snack.

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It should come as no surprise that the healthiest thing to drink on a plane is water, which also happens to be the healthiest thing to drink on land. Inside an airplane cabin, the air is extremely dry, putting you at heightened risk of dehydration. That can lead to nausea, headaches, and other unpleasant outcomes.

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First-Class and Economy Class travellers have different meal options available to them on all international flights. In-flight meals are mainly served on trays, but some airlines opt for multiple courses instead. It is customary for meals to be served with glassware, tablecloths, and metal cutlery.

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Airline companies each have their own set of rules as far as providing blankets to passengers is concerned. Most do not offer blankets on domestic flights due to the short duration of the flight, and for international flights, a limited number of blankets are stored onboard that will not cater to every passenger.

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But in some cases, you can ask your flight attendant for a few freebies to make your journey a little more comfortable — things like extra snacks, pillows and blankets, and even over-the-counter medication. Routes make a difference, too, according to former flight attendant Susan Fogwell.

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