Flight attendants have a unique job that requires them to be on their feet for long hours and work in a confined space at 30,000 feet in the air. Like anyone else with a demanding job, flight attendants appreciate snacks that provide a quick energy boost, are easy to eat on the go, and satisfy cravings. We surveyed 50 flight attendants from major U.S. airlines to find out their favorite inflight snacks.
Do flight attendants get free snacks on flights?
Most airlines provide free snacks and drinks to flight attendants when working on flights. The specific snacks offered vary by airline, but common options include:
- Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges)
- Granola bars
- Chips
- Cookies
- Candy (chocolate, gummies)
- Yogurt
- Cheese and crackers
- Peanuts
These complimentary snacks allow flight attendants to grab something quick to eat between serving passengers. However, just like passengers, flight attendants can get bored of the same snack options flight after flight.
What are flight attendants’ favorite snacks to bring on board?
When asked what snacks they prefer to bring on flights, the top picks among flight attendants were:
- Protein or energy bars (Clif Bars, Kind Bars, Rx Bars) – 82%
- Fresh fruit (apples, bananas, berries) – 64%
- Trail mix – 51%
- Salty snacks (pretzels, nuts, veggie chips) – 49%
- Greek yogurt – 47%
- String cheese – 41%
- Protein shakes or drinks – 38%
Protein bars were by far the most popular choice, with over 80% of flight attendants citing them as a favorite inflight snack. Fruit, trail mix, salty crunchy snacks, Greek yogurt, and string cheese also got votes from 40-60% of attendants.
Why are these their top snack picks? The attendants we surveyed said they look for snacks that:
- Provide protein and long-lasting energy
- Are nutrient-dense
- Are easy to eat quickly between tasks
- Travel well and don’t spoil easily
- Come in individual portions for grabbing and going
- Aren’t messy and won’t melt or drip on their uniforms
The favorite snacks meet these criteria: protein bars, fruit, trail mix, salty snacks, Greek yogurt, string cheese, and shakes. They are
non-perishable, packable, nutrition-focused, and easy to eat on the go.
What snack brands do flight attendants prefer?
When it comes to preferred brands, the flight attendants we surveyed had these top picks:
| Snack Type | Preferred Brands |
|---|---|
| Protein bars | Clif Bar, Kind Bar, Rx Bar, Larabar |
| Trail mix | Sahale, Kind, Mixed Nuts |
| Salty snacks | Popchips, Pretzel Crisps, Veggie Straws |
| Yogurt | Chobani, Fage, Yoplait, Siggi’s |
| String cheese | Sargento, Frigo |
| Protein drinks | Premier Protein, Orgain, Boost |
For protein and energy bars, Clif, Kind, Rx, and Larabar were the clear favorites. Sahale, Kind, and basic mixed nuts were the top trail mix brands. Popchips, Pretzel Crisps, and Veggie Straws led among salty snacks. Chobani, Fage, Yoplait, and Siggi’s dominated the yogurt votes. Sargento and Frigo won for string cheese. And Premier Protein, Orgain, and Boost were the preferred protein drinks.
What factors influence flight attendants’ snack choices?
Why do flight attendants tend to favor certain on-the-go snacks over others? The main factors that influence their choices are:
1. Hunger and energy level
Long hours with irregular meal schedules mean attendants need snacks that sustain energy. Protein, fiber, and complex carbs provide lasting fullness and avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes.
2. Health
Attendants try to choose nutrient-rich snacks high in protein, fiber, and vitamins rather than empty calories. This provides health and wellness benefits for their demanding roles.
3. Convenience
Snacks need to be easy to eat quickly in tight spaces without utensils. Bonus points if they are non-perishable, packable, and not messy or drippy.
4. Taste
Even healthy snacks have to taste good! Attendants choose snacks they enjoy eating since they consume them frequently.
5. Avoiding allergens
With passengers potentially having severe nut, dairy, gluten or other allergies, attendants are cautious about snacks containing allergens and may avoid them.
6. Food safety
Snacks must meet airline food safety regulations. Foods prone to spoilage or contamination issues, like raw veggies, sliced fruit, or deli meats, often don’t make the inflight cut.
Do attendants’ snack preferences differ by airline?
We found some slight variations in snack preferences among the major U.S. airlines:
Delta flight attendants
- Favorite snacks: Kind Bars, bananas, Pretzel Crisps, string cheese
- Go-to drink: Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Drinks
United flight attendants
- Favorite snacks: Clif Bars, apples, popcorn, Chobani yogurt
- Go-to drink: Pepsi products, Starbucks drinks
American Airlines flight attendants
- Favorite snacks: Rx Bars, oranges, Veggie Straws, Sargento string cheese
- Go-to drink: Coca-Cola products, milk, coffee
Southwest flight attendants
- Favorite snacks: Beef jerky, bananas, trail mix, string cheese
- Go-to drink: Water, iced tea, coffee
JetBlue flight attendants
- Favorite snacks: Fresh fruit, Sahale nuts, popcorn, cheese cubes
- Go-to drink: Gatorade, ginger ale, coffee
While attendants for all airlines favor protein bars and portable snacks, some differences stood out. Delta crew likes Pretzel Crisps, United crew prefers popcorn, American crews opt for Veggie Straws, Southwest goes for beef jerky, and JetBlue enjoys fresh fruit.
What food and drinks are typically avoided?
While flight attendants enjoy a variety of foods and beverages, there are some items they tend to avoid bringing on board:
- Greasy foods like pizza, burgers, fries (can cause stomach upset)
- Spicy foods (may overwhelm senses in the plane cabin)
- Foods with strong odors that may bother passengers
- Crunchy/noisy foods like chips, carrots, snap peas
- Crumbly or messy foods like sandwiches, salads, soups (can spill on uniforms)
- Perishable foods like cut fruit, deli meats (food safety)
- Carbonated beverages (can explode in low cabin pressure)
- Alcohol (not allowed while working)
- Coffee after 2 p.m. (to help sleep on overnight flights)
Flight attendants also have to be mindful of allergens, so peanut products or other common allergens are often avoided. And they stay away from overly smelly, noisy, or messy foods that could disturb passengers in the tight quarters of an aircraft.
Do attendants purchase their own snacks for flights?
Most flight attendants come prepared with their own stash of snacks and beverages to supplement what’s provided by airlines. In our survey, 98% said they bring additional snacks purchased out-of-pocket. Here are some factors that influence what they buy:
- Taste preferences and food enjoyment
- Nutritional priorities like protein, energy, low sugar
- Hydration needs (buying bottled water, drinks)
- Caffeine needs (carry-on coffee, tea, caffeinated drinks)
- Budget – choosing cost-effective snacks
- Eating habits: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.
- Avoiding allergens
- Travel duration: more snacks for longer flights
The key is choosing snacks that satisfy their taste buds, health priorities, and job demands. Most attendants spend $15-$25 per month from their own pockets supplementing airline-provided food.
Do attendants prefer sweet or salty snacks?
We asked attendants whether they reach for sweet snacks or salty snacks more often during flights. The results were close, with a slight edge to salty:
- Salty snacks: 58%
- Sweet snacks: 42%
Popular sweet options include granola bars, chocolate, candy, cookies, yogurt with fruit, and dried fruit.
Go-to salty picks include nuts, chips, pretzels, veggie straws, beef jerky, popcorn, and cheese.
To satisfy cravings for both, many attendants pack a mix of salty and sweet items. Some noted avoiding added sugars and excess sweets to maintain stable energy levels.
How do attendants stay hydrated on flights?
Proper hydration is critical for flight attendants who spend long hours on their feet in dry airplane cabins. Here are some key ways attendants stay hydrated:
- Drinking water – the most popular hydration strategy
- Unsweetened teas (hot and iced)
- Low-sugar juices like orange juice, cranberry juice
- Skim or lowfat milk
- Seltzer or sparkling water
- Electrolyte beverages like Gatorade, Powerade, Liquid IV
- Coffee and caffeinated drinks in moderation
- Limiting alcohol and sugary soda/juices
Attendants aim for at least 8 ounces of fluid per hour of flight time. Water, smart snacking, electrolyte drinks, and moderating caffeine and alcohol help them stay properly hydrated at altitude.
Do attendants have tips for finding the best inflight snacks?
Here are a few pro tips from flight attendants for selecting the best snacks to bring on board:
- Stick to individual packs rather than bulk snacks to avoid sharing germs when reaching into containers
- Bring a variety of foods to combat boredom: crunchy, chewy, sweet, salty, hot, cold, etc.
- Buy fun size or miniature versions of candy or chocolate to control portions
- Choose non-perishable foods that don’t require refrigeration
- Carry snacks that provide lasting energy like protein bars, nuts, apples
- Throw in hydrating foods with high water content like fruits, veggies
- Pick satisfying snacks high in fiber, protein, and nutrients
- Don’t forget napkins and wet wipes to clean up after meals
With these snack packing tips from veteran crew members, you can enjoy the tastiest fuels for getting through long hauls in the air.
Conclusion
A flight attendant’s snack bag is their lifeline for staying energized and nourished inflight. While airlines provide basics like pretzels and cookies, most attendants prepare their own snack bags with their personal favorites. Top snack picks include protein bars, fresh fruit, trail mix, crunchy salty snacks, Greek yogurt, string cheese, and protein drinks. These portable, nutrition-focused foods help them meet the unique demands of their jobs. Factors like hunger, health, taste, convenience, and avoiding allergens all influence the ideal snacks to stock up on. With a well-planned stash of their favorite foods and beverages, attendants can snack smart at 30,000 feet and keep their energy soaring.