Experience 046. Eating Around. Airport Food Strategies.

The Seat 1A Podcast

In this experience we take a look at the need to eat when you're at the airport. Food and flying has changed so much in 40 years – it used to be that you would get a full meal on the plane included with your ticket. These days...not so much.

When most people think of airport food they get a sour taste in their mouth – and that’s not just from the "special" that has been sitting under heat lamps all day. Many airports have their catering handled by large corporate conglomerates – so you will see the same shops in various airports across the country. You will also see similar offerings since some food just doesn't fly well, and the security required is more easily handled through one company.

Vinod remembers back to early one morning when the Golden Arches at Frankfurt Airport caused him to lose his passport.

We understand that it's expensive in the terminal, or that the menu selection is very limited compared to outside the airport. And once you're past security, you're a captive audience.

For those of you who decide to not eat at the airport, airlines are trying hard to entice buyers - often by partnering up with chains. The inexperienced traveller may not be aware about how much the odor of their food travels through the cabin during the flight. Remember – crew members can tell you to close up your food if it smells too much. Vinod shares a dripping story of an unfortunate passenger with lime pickle escaping from the baggage hold.

Some airports had old-school cafeterias, while others continue to have wannabe diners.

Vinod shares his hiking tour at Paris CDG with his wife looking for a Big Mac.

When in certain countries there are other options available. Grocery stores in European airports are an option. In some countries, if you are able to clear customs and immigration easily, you might want to look at going into the city – particularly if you have a long layover.

Vinod shares his experience of a hidden gem near Toronto Terminal 3, and Geoff discusses the options that might exist near the airport along service roads.

Sometimes airports have next to nothing for food – Vinod shares his experience from Varadero, Cuba.

But sometimes great food just appears out of nowhere – Vinod shares a mouth watering experience in Brazil as a grill fired up just before his flight. Worse comes to worst, just follow your nose.

Bon Appétit!

Remember that it may be difficult to find local cuisine at the airport – Geoff shares a previous experience at Cancun. But sometimes, you might be able to find reasonably priced food at a bar.

News Items:

• apex.aero article from October 2020 " Airport Food Delivery Trend Picks Up During Pandemic"

If you have a story about food at the airport, other food option strategies or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/