Travelore Tips: What You Should Never Order On A Plane–According To Flight Attendants

You'll think twice the next time you look at the menu onboard...

Airplane food and drinks have improved over the years, but there are still a few in-flight orders that even seasoned travelers think twice about. After spending a heavy travel month bouncing between early-morning departures and long-haul flights, I decided to ask the people who know airline cabins best: flight attendants.

Rather than focusing on any one airline, I asked a simple question during multiple flights: what are the items passengers are better off skipping in the air? Their answers were candid, consistent, and surprisingly practical. While none of these suggestions are meant to alarm travelers, they do shed light on how flying changes everything from hygiene to how your body processes food and alcohol.

Here’s what flight attendants recommend avoiding—and why.

Don’t use ice in your drinks

Several flight attendants noted that ice can be a gray area onboard. While aircraft are cleaned regularly, the tools used to scoop ice aren’t always washed between flights in the same way galley equipment is. That doesn’t mean every airline operates the same way, but if cleanliness is top of mind for you, ordering beverages without ice is an easy workaround. Bottled drinks or canned seltzers poured directly into a cup avoid the issue altogether.

Diet Coke with extra foam

This one surprised me, but it came up more than once. Diet Coke, in particular, tends to foam excessively at altitude. Cabin pressure causes carbonation to behave differently, and Diet Coke is notorious for producing long-lasting foam when poured onboard. That’s why it often takes flight attendants longer to serve — and why some quietly dread the order. If you’re craving soda, other options tend to be quicker and less messy.

Say no to double alcoholic drinks

Alcohol affects the body differently at cruising altitude. Lower oxygen levels can intensify its effects, meaning a drink or two may hit harder than expected. Flight attendants also pointed out that getting overly buzzed in a confined cabin isn’t enjoyable for the person drinking — or the people seated nearby. Long flights can make it easy to feel both intoxicated and dehydrated before you even land.

Save Bloody Marys for land

While tomato juice is famously popular on planes, flight attendants warned that drinks with high sodium content can contribute to bloating and swelling, especially on longer flights. Sitting for extended periods already causes fluid retention, and salty cocktails may make that discomfort worse. For travelers prone to puffy ankles or post-flight fatigue, it might be worth saving celebratory drinks for after landing.

Avoid fish entrées

In-flight meals are reheated rather than freshly cooked, and fish doesn’t always fare well in that process. Several flight attendants said fish dishes are among the least forgiving when it comes to texture and smell. Since meals are typically heated using steam or convection methods, proteins that rely on precise cooking temperatures can easily dry out or become unpleasant.

What to order instead

If you want to keep things simple, flight attendants generally recommend sealed beverages, lighter meals, and options that don’t rely heavily on reheating. Sparkling water without ice, packaged snacks, and straightforward meals tend to be the safest bets. These choices minimize surprises and help you feel better when you arrive.

Flying already puts stress on your body in subtle ways. Making a few small, informed choices about what you order onboard can go a long way toward a more comfortable trip, and fewer regrets at 35,000 feet.

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Travelore Tips: United Is Narrowing Its Check-In Window For US Flights. Here’s How It Compares To Other Airlines

Stragglers beware: U.S. travelers flying with United Airlines will have to check in to domestic flights a little earlier starting next week. That is, if they’re customers only taking carry-on bags.

Effective June 3, United’s “check-in cutoff” for most U.S. flights will be 45 minutes before departure. That’s the same deadline United has for passengers checking luggage at the airport but 15 minutes earlier than the current one for people without bags to check.

Travellers are directed to lines through security at Love Field airport, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

In an email to The Associated Press, a United spokesperson said the change to a single cut-off minimum “brings greater consistency for our customers” and conforms with the policies of many other airlines.

Checking in for a flight confirms a passenger’s booking and intent to travel ahead of takeoff. Most major U.S. carriers have online check-in systems that can be used at least 24 hours in advance, so the process no longer reflects when many travelers arrive at the airport. But it’s still an important step since boarding passes are issued once check-ins are completed.

Other U.S. and international carriers have tightened their check-in and boarding policies as part of their strategies for maintaining on-time departures, particularly amid the high demand that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Generally speaking, checking in allows airports and airlines to prepare for upcoming flights — from confirming seat assignments to making sure passenger names are at the security checkpoint. Check-in cutoffs, or the latest possible time to claim a flight reservation, are typically earlier for international flights to account for the time needed to check passports and clear customs.

Still, requirements may vary by airline and airport. Dubai-based Emirates, for example, closes online check-ins 90 minutes before departure. Ireland’s Ryanair allows online check-in up to two hours before a flight; passengers still may check in at the airport 40 minutes in advance, but for a fee.

Here’s what check-in cutoffs look like for United and some other U.S. carriers.

Again, if you’re flying United within the U.S., you’ll need to check in to your flight at least 45 minutes prior to takeoff as of June 3.

Travelers print out their boarding passes at kiosks inside of O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

While the new cutoff applies to most of United’s domestic trips, check-in deadlines may vary by location and route. The carrier’s website notes that St. Thomas’ airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands has a check-in time limit of 90 minutes prior to departure — the same cutoff listed for flights between Guam and Honolulu.

For international flights, United requires checking in at least an hour before departure. But many airports have earlier deadlines — such as 75 minutes for major airports in Paris and Dubai, and 90 minutes for the airports in Toronto and Lagos, Nigeria.

Delta Air Lines

Delta passengers not checking any bags still have a minimum of a half-hour before a domestic flight to check in. Travelers with luggage to check need to get to the airline ticket counter at least 45 minutes prior, Delta’s website notes, per an update that went into effect last month.

In a statement sent to the AP on Tuesday, Delta said it had made this “minor change” so that “Delta teams can ensure all customers have a great experience.”

For international flights, Delta travelers must be checked in at least 1 hour before departure. But, like other carriers, Delta’s minimum check-in requirements can vary by location for certain airports. Delta customers checking bags at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, for example, are supposed to check in an hour before departure whether their flights are domestic or international.

American Airlines

If you’re flying with American Airlines within the U.S., the deadline for checking in and checking a bag before a flight is 45 minutes ahead of departure, according to the carrier’s website.

For trips to or from locations outside the U.S., the cutoff to both check-in for your flight and check a bag is 60 minutes ahead of takeoff. But again, a handful of airports have earlier requirements.

Southwest Airlines

Passengers with more than a carry-on bag should get to the airline counter at least 45 minutes before a scheduled flight on Southwest. The carrier warns that baggage destined for a plane’s cargo hold is considered a “late check” and not guaranteed to get on your flight if it’s dropped off less than 45 minutes ahead of departure.

Travelers queue up at the check-in counters for their flights on Southwest Airlines in the main terminal of Denver International Airport Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Beyond baggage, if Southwest travelers aren’t checked-in and in the boarding area at least 10 minutes prior to departure, their reservation could be canceled, a Southwest spokesperson told the AP via email.

The carrier did not specify any additional, firm check-in cutoffs for domestic flights. For international trips, Southwest’s website notes that all passengers and their luggage must be checked in a minimum of 60 minutes prior to departure. And again, that can vary — with flights departing Aruba, for example, having an earlier deadline of 75 minutes before takeoff for passengers with or without checked bags.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska requires a minimum of 50 minutes before takeoff to check in passengers for flights within the U.S., whether or not they have bags to check. The cutoff is 60 minutes for international flights, the carrier’s website notes.

Again, there are exceptions for certain locations and airports. Passengers traveling from Guadalajara, Mexico, for example, have to check their baggage and into their flights at least 90 minutes ahead of time.

https://apnews.com/author/wyatte-grantham-philips

Travelore Tips: Which Frequent Flier Program Is Best For You?

Let’s face it. Travel is expensive. It takes considerable time and work to save money to enjoy a week of vacation.

Many travelers utilize rewards programs as a strategy to save money for trips. The challenge is to determine which program is right for you. With travel credit cards, hotel rewards programs, and frequent flyer programs, the path ahead is foggy.

WalletHub’s frequent flyer study compares the 10 largest domestic airlines’ loyalty rewards programs across 21 vital metrics, spanning from the value of a reward point (or mile) to blackout-date policies. The results will clear the fog and determine the best frequent flyer programs.

Your Airfare Budget Matters

WalletHub acknowledges that rewards programs are not one-size-fits-all because not everyone travels at the same frequency. They account for these differences by scoring loyalty programs across three annual airfare budget levels:

Light: $459

Average: $3,393

Frequent: $6,326

Of course, the best frequent flyer programs are well-rounded, satisfying the needs of travelers of all types.

The study includes a frequent flyer miles calculator. You can enter your annual flight spending to see the top two frequent flyer programs based on your airfare budget.

Best Overall Frequent Flyer Programs

So, which frequent flyer programs are the best, according to the study? The top 5 programs for 2025 are:

1. Alaska Airlines – Mileage Plan

2. United Airlines – MileagePlus

3. Delta Airlines – SkyMiles
4. Hawaiian Airlines – HawaiianMiles

5. American Airlines – AAdvantage

Destinations Offered

It is essential to note that each airline offers a different number of destinations, a factor that may matter to some travelers. Alaska Airlines finished first in the overall rankings but offers 128 destinations. United has 365, Delta 312, Hawaiian 30, and American 406.

Although United finished second in the overall rankings by a slim margin, the airline offers more than twice the destinations as top-rated Alaskan Airlines.

A Closer Look at Where Each Program Shines

While Alaska Airlines finished first overall, where do the remaining top four programs shine? United MileagePlus ranks the best for destination coverage, including domestic and international flights.

Although Delta SkyMiles did not finish first in any individual category, the program scored well across the board. HawaiianMiles offers the best rewards value and membership status perks. American AAdvantage provides the best airline coverage.

Let’s look at some specific categories.

Which Programs Offer the Best Value?

Hawaiian Airlines offers the best value for frequent flyers at $12.55 per $100 spent. Frontier Airlines is second, at $11.75, and Southwest Airlines is third, at $9.95.

Hawaiian Airlines’ rewards values hold steady if your annual airfare budget is average or light. While Frontier and Southwest remain the second and third-best carriers for average and light travelers, their reward values dip considerably.

Frontier yields $10.47 for average and $8.49 for light travelers, while Southwest provides a value of $8.76 for average and $8.52 for light travelers.

Generally, most frequent flyer programs provide lesser value this year. Of the ten largest airlines, only three offer increased reward value in 2025 compared to the previous year: JetBlue, Spirit, and Hawaiian.

Miles Expiration

You worked hard for those reward miles, so you do not want to lose them. However, not all programs are equal in this key feature.

Four of the rewards programs have points expiring due to inactivity within 12 to 36 months. The six programs where miles do not expire are Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.

Some programs, such as American, Delta, United, and Alaska, give frequent flyer program members preferential treatment when determining who gets bumped from overbooked flights.

Alaska, United, American, Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue allow members to earn and redeem miles with partner carriers.

Many programs allow members to purchase points in addition to earning them. It is essential to note that airline miles cost an average of 2.6 times more than they are worth when purchased rather than earned.

Delta, United, and Frontier have the biggest markups on purchasing points, while American, Southwest, and Hawaiian have the lowest markups.

Customer Service

Julie and I firmly believe customer service still matters outside of the loyalty rewards programs. Travelers want to be treated fairly and feel that they matter.

We have found Delta Airlines to be the most flexible and accommodating whenever any questions or issues arise. Other airlines have been far more rigid, showing little to no flexibility, let alone apathy.

Other Factors to Consider

Although Delta did not rank first in any categories, its strong overall scores and excellent customer service make its rewards program attractive.

Airline Rewards Programs in the Future

What can we expect from airline rewards programs in the next five to ten years?

Jaishankar Ganesh, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing at Rutgers, School of Business, Camden, says, “I would venture to say that technology will play a greater role in personalizing reward programs and tying benefits accrual and redemption to the individual’s travel and purchase behaviors. You are likely to see extended use of AI tools and applications for such personalization and to provide an enhanced digital experience.”

Choosing a Rewards Program

It is essential to select an airline rewards program that is right for you. Use the WalletHub calculator and the data from their study as a starting point to evaluate your options. It is an excellent way to save money on your trips.

https://www.mileswithmcconkey.com/author/smcconkeyfuse-net/

This Is Not The Seat You Paid For. Here’s What To Do If You Get Downgraded On A Flight

You arrive at the airport, and you’re told that you won’t get the airplane seat you paid for.

Unfortunately, you’ve been downgraded.

While uncommon, it happens more often than you might think. You book a premium economy, business-class or first-class ticket, but when it comes time to fly, you’re bumped to a lower class.

It can be especially frustrating when you’ve booked a lie-flat seat on a transatlantic flight and were expecting elevated dining options and a restful night’s sleep.

Anton Radchenko was involuntarily downgraded twice in 2023 — once when flying Delta Air Lines from New York to Frankfurt and the other time on a British Airways flight from London to Los Angeles. But as the founder and CEO at AirAdvisor, Radchenko knew how to address the issues.

“I’ve seen firsthand how most passengers are unaware of their rights, which invites a lot of problems,” says Radchenko. “Remember that it’s pretty common for airlines to push back on giving compensation, and they tend to exploit passengers’ lack of awareness.”

Here’s why involuntary downgrades happen and some advice from Radchenko on how to navigate them — and get what you’re owed.

Reasons for involuntary downgrades

You can get bumped from your seat for several reasons, ranging from a broken seat or a pilot needing rest to overbooking or an aircraft change.

The most common reason for an involuntary downgrade is overbooking, according to Radchenko. Airlines are in the business of making money, so they will often sell more tickets than seats on an aircraft. This way, if a passenger misses their flight or cancels at the last minute, the flight remains full.

However, if every passenger shows up on time, you could be involuntarily downgraded.

Radchenko said overbooking was the cause of the downgrades in both of his experiences.Sometimes, the needs of the crew are a factor. Ensuring crew members have access to rest during long flights keeps everyone on board safe. If designated crew rest spots cannot be used for whatever reason, a crew member might need your first- or business-class seat to rest during their break.Sometimes, the needs of the crew are a factor. Ensuring crew members have access to rest during long flights keeps everyone on board safe. If designated crew rest spots cannot be used for whatever reason, a crew member might need your first- or business-class seat to rest during their break.Sometimes, the needs of the crew are a factor. Ensuring crew members have access to rest during long flights keeps everyone on board safe. If designated crew rest spots cannot be used for whatever reason, a crew member might need your first- or business-class seat to rest during their break.Sometimes, the needs of the crew are a factor. Ensuring crew members have access to rest during long flights keeps everyone on board safe. If designated crew rest spots cannot be used for whatever reason, a crew member might need your first- or business-class seat to rest during their break.

Document your downgrade and request a refund

Whatever the reason, downgrades are frustrating at best. Most of the time, you’ll find out you’ve been downgraded at the airport, whether at the check-in counter or when boarding.

Make sure you know your rights.

If you do get downgraded, Radchenko recommends being proactive — get a written reason for the downgrade and document everything, including a photo of your new seat, boarding pass and any communication from the airline. Then, you can use this documentation when making a claim for compensation.

Radchenko received money back for the downgrades on both flights.

On the Delta flight from New York to Frankfurt, he was downgraded from premium economy to the main cabin and received a $1,000 refund.

“Delta will provide compensation for customers who were involuntarily downgraded based on original ticketed cabin and the cabin the customer was downgraded to,” the airline told CNN Travel. “Fare difference refunds are given based on what the customer paid for the cabin at time of purchase.”

The airline said that compensation could be in the form of SkyMiles, eCredits or a fare difference refund.

Radchenko said he struggled a bit to get the refund.

Radchenko is an aviation expert and consumer rights lawyer, so he politely reminded the airline that Department of Transportation (DOT) rules say passengers are entitled to a refund of the price difference for involuntary downgrades.

He said Delta preferred giving flight vouchers as compensation, but Radchenko continued to push until he received a cash refund, to which he was entitled according to DOT rules.

Unfortunately, refunds for involuntary downgrades can be tricky because airline pricing is dynamic.

Passengers should make sure the fare difference is calculated according to pricing at the time of booking. He said airlines may use the most recent price as a way to spend less on compensation.

For instance, if you got a fantastic deal on a first-class domestic flight that is only marginally more than a last-minute economy seat, you might not receive much of a refund.

“You need to be proactive and stand your ground. Stay polite but firm on your demands,” Radchenko advises.

CNN reached out to two other major legacy carriers for specifics on refund calculations but did not immediately hear back.

Act quickly

Delta has an online form where involuntarily downgraded passengers can submit refund requests.

Radchenko recommends filling out this form immediately.

“The 72-hour window before or after a scheduled flight is crucial because that’s when airlines make key operational decisions, including cancellations, refunds, schedule changes and rebookings by assessing weather, crew availability, technical issues and other possible factors,” he says. “Passengers who understand this system can maximize compensation, secure better alternatives, get timely refunds and avoid being stranded.”

It’s also worth asking for additional compensation or perks. Sometimes airlines will add loyalty miles or vouchers when requests are compelling.

“For example, if you booked a premium class because your arthritis demands sitting in an extended and relaxed position, getting downgraded to economy would impact your physical health. So, you have a very valid reason to question this inconvenience and be compensated for it,” he said.

No matter what your situation is, a detailed explanation of exactly how the downgrade has adversely impacted you is more likely to get your claim noticed and prioritized.

More protection in Europe

When flying to Europe on a European Union airline, traveling within the EU or departing from the EU on any airline, you’re more protected. That’s thanks to EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, a regulation protecting passengers against cancellations, delays and overbookings.

The United Kingdom wrote this regulation into law as UK261 during the end of the Brexit transition period, so it applies to UK flights as well. This regulation made the refund process for Radchenko much more streamlined when he was downgraded on his British Airways flight from London to Los Angeles.

According to that regulation, the compensation for involuntary downgrades is anywhere from 30% to 75% of your ticket price, based on the length of your flight.

Radchenko’s flight from London to Los Angeles was more than 3,500 kilometers, so he received a refund of 75% of his ticket price — approximately £7,500 of his £10,000 ticket. To get the refund, he simply contacted British Airways customer care and provided his flight details.

How to avoid a downgrade

While there’s not much you can do to prevent a downgrade, it helps to be prepared.

Radchenko recommends trying to book your flight early and check in as soon as possible. This way, you’ll be given more priority if an overbooking occurs.

Also, try to be loyal to one airline. If the business-class cabin is overbooked, someone with elite status is much less likely to be downgraded than someone who rarely flies with the airline.

The DOT continuously updates rules and regulations pertaining to air passenger rights.

It’s important to read these rules to understand what you qualify for in the event of an unexpected disruption — whether it’s a rare downgrade or a far more common extended delay or flight cancellation.

Being prepared, knowing your rights and having concrete steps to take can make a bad situation much more manageable.

This regulation didn’t apply to his Delta flight from New York to Frankfurt, as it only covers flights departing from an EU airport or on an EU airline.

Harrison Pierce, CNN

Flight Attendant Reveals What They're 'Really Doing' When They Ask To See Your Boarding Pass

Any frequent flyers reading this will know that after a certain number of flights, all journeys start to feel pretty repetitive.

You check in, go through security with your teeny tiny bottles of shampoo, you spend three hours in purgatory (I mean, duty-free), then you queue for your gate, get your boarding pass checked, sit in a cramped chair for six hours, stand up way too early once the plane's landed, and then quietly race everybody else to baggage claim.

However, despite appearing to be very 'routine', there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that most passengers are completely unaware of.

For example, flight attendants have a lot of confidential methods that they use to communicate with one another in order to help the flight go smoothly without alarming any of the passengers.

In fact, one cabin crew member took part in a quora Q&A that revealed the real reason why flight attendants greet passengers as they board the plane and why they ask for their boarding passes.

Now, most of us will probably assume they're just being polite and helping to direct us to our seats - but that's not the case. (I mean, unless you're going in the cockpit, you can safely assume you're going down the fuselage where all the seats are.)

It actually has a hidden security purpose that I guarantee you'd never have thought of, and that is to assess the health and general wellbeing of the passenger, and confirm that they are indeed in a fit state to fly.

Shrey P, who claims to have been a flight attendant for five different airlines, stated that the crew "check plenty of things and it will all happen in a glance". Some of the main points Shrey listed were:

What kind of clothes are you wearing?

Are you traveling alone or with someone?

How patient are you while waiting in that long line during boarding?

If you are an able-bodied passenger, in case we need help for any kind of emergency.

Are you intoxicated?

What kind of book are you carrying or reading? (If you are reading a medical journal or so we know who to approach for First Aid)

Shrey then stated: "The list can go on which usually happens in few minutes of boarding time."

Some of Shrey's points were also confirmed by TikTok user Kat Kamalani, who said in an eye-opening video: "Have you ever walked on the plane and seen the flight attendants standing here greeting you, or the flight attendants walking up and down the aisle? Well, I'm about to tell you what we're really doing.

"When you walk on the plane and see our happy, smiley face, we're actually looking you up and down and trying to find our able-bodied people. So these are people who are going to help us in an emergency."

Kalamani says that flight attendants often keep their eyes peeled for military personnel, firefighters, nurses, and doctors on board the aircraft.

Myriam Frafar, a flight attendant for German airline Condor, also confirmed Shrey's points, explaining the valid reason for the cabin crew asking for your boarding pass on the thread.

Frafar explained: "I check if they are drunk, drugged, sick, angry or afraid. That is extremely important as if I have the possibility to avoid any kind of troubles over the Atlantic, then I address it on ground. I say 'Hello, welcome on board', and I listen to how they respond."

Another attendant stated on the thread that they also use the meet and greet moment at the aircraft door to check whether a passenger is ill and may need further treatment on the ground, stating: "I've had passengers board who look pasty and pale, deathly ill. We removed them; nobody wants their flu germs!"

Shrey also revealed the truth about your in-flight meals, saying: "[They] are very unhealthy. Even if you have ordered that raw meal, vegan meal, bland meal etc. The food on your tray is prepared not in the galley but in the aircraft catering which is often done 12 hours before and even days before the aircraft departure. Now, how many such industries do you know where the hot or cold meal was made days before you consume it?

"The scrambled egg or the omelet that you just had was not only egg but can be a mix of egg and other substitutes. That cut fruit which is on your tray still looks fresh and how is that possible when it was cut hours before the departure, have you ever wondered?

"Most of us aren't aware of this, but when we are at cruise, the air pressure in an airliner is equal to about 8,000 feet above sea level (6,000-ft in a Dreamliner). In addition to making your ears pop, it causes our taste buds and sense of smell to go partially numb.

"This has major impact on how food tastes & smells [making] it super bland. So airline catering in recent years has really pumped up the spices, salts, and fats - all to make your mouth happy."

Per BBC News, this was confirmed in a 2010 study by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, which confirmed that passengers lose around 30% sensitivity in their taste buds to sweet and salty foods.

By Stefan Armitage

Travelore Tips: Passengers Urged To Avoid Packing Flip Flops, Chewing Gum And Vapes - Or Risk Fines

Different countries around the world have different laws when it comes to what you can and can't bring into the nation, with some banning yellow clothes and others haggis.

Travelers could face a hefty fine when they arrive on their holidays if they don't leave the flip flops and chewing gum at home.

While you may think your biggest chance of landing in hot water when on holiday is by breaching Magaluf's new anti-lout rules there are other, less obvious laws which could cause you some bother on holiday.

You'll want to double-check your luggage before jetting abroad in case you’ve accidentally packed an item that is blacklisted. While everyone knows not to slip a weapon or explosives into your luggage, some entrants on the banned list are less obvious.

For example in Singapore it has been against the law to import and sell chewing gum since 1992, when the legislation was passed in an attempt to help improve the cleanliness of the island. At first many locals were outraged, heading to neighbouring Malaysia to get their packets despite the government's promise to name and shame those caught.

Christopher Nye, senior content editor at overseas property experts YourOverseasHome, said: "Before travelling or moving to a new country, it’s always a good idea to get to grips with their culture and customs – and that includes any weird and wonderful laws that are enforced. Staying on the right side of these laws is imperative not only to keep the peace, but failure to do so could land you a hefty fine, deportation, or even imprisonment in some cases!"

Below we've listed some of the most unusual items which are banned in various countries.

Flip flops - Capri

You can wear flip flops around the majority of Italy, but you’re not allowed to take them to the island of Capri. Here, it’s illegal to wear 'excessively noisy' footwear - including flip flops - as locals value their 'peace and quiet', and the rhythmical thwack of rubber on stone is considered too annoying.

Baby walkers - Canada

Baby walkers have been banned in Canada since 2004. Why? It seems that babies are great at using them, just not always so good at steering them in a safe direction, which can cause the typically sanguine Canadians to become irate.

Chewing gum - Singapore

It’s not illegal to chew gum in Singapore, but it is against the law to import it and sell it, and has been since 1992. Exceptions exist for dental and nicotine gum, but you can only purchase these from a doctor or registered pharmacist. Definitely don't get caught chucking a bit on the ground, as leniency is unlikely to be applied.

Haggis - USA

It’s a bit of a shame for Burns fans, but in 1971 it became illegal to import authentic haggis into the US due to a ban on food containing sheep lung, which constitutes 10-15% of the traditional Scottish recipe. As per the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1971 ruling, "Livestock lungs shall not be saved for use as human food". It may surprise some that a country that famously washes its chickens in chlorine draws the line at haggis.

Jasmine flowers - China

In May 2011, it was reported that Beijing police had banned the sale of jasmine flowers at various markets, which was causing wholesale prices to collapse. Both the flower and plant cannot be sold, purchased, worn, or talked about in China since anonymous calls for a Chinese “jasmine revolution” began circulating on the internet.

Kinder Eggs - USA

Kinder Surprise eggs are banned in the US, and it’s illegal to import them too. This is because of a law that dictates that any food with a 'non-nutritive object embedded' is not allowed - including toys inside confectionery items. Though you can’t get them in the States, you can still find them in neighbouring countries Canada and Mexico, if you are in real need of a chocolate egg treat.

Sudafed & Codeine - Japan

Due to Japan’s strict anti-stimulant drug laws, any narcotics containing pseudoephedrine - like Sudafed and Vicks inhalers - are banned. Medicines containing codeine are also banned in Japan, and foreign nationals have even been detained and deported for offences.

Yellow clothing - Malaysia

In 2016, the Malaysian government banned yellow clothing after thousands of protestors wearing yellow t-shirts flooded the streets of Kuala Lumpur and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister. Since then, anyone wearing yellow can be arrested, under the assumption that they’re also protesting, rather than having just slipped something cheerful on.

Vapes and electronic cigarettes - Thailand

Vape fans should similarly leave their e-cigarettes in the UK, as Thailand has had a ban on the import, export, sale and possession of vaping products since November 2014. "The mods, juices and disposable vapes are categorically prohibited. There is no excuse. Even proving that you brought the vape for personal use isn't acceptable to authorities," the World Vapers Alliance has said, a lobbying body was alleged links to the tobacco industry.

Although importing vapes into Thailand is banned, in recent years the prohibition on sales in the country has been scrapped.

Camouflage print - the Caribbean

Some countries such as Barbados, Aruba and other Caribbean nations have laws prohibiting camouflage clothing from being worn by non-military personnel, including tourists. Having it in your luggage or as the pattern on bags or backpacks also falls within the ban’s limits.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/milo-boyd/

Travelore Tips: Was Your Flight Canceled Amid Bad Weather? What You Need To Know About Rebooking, Refunds And More

Amid peak summer travel, thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend and Monday as thunderstorms rolled in across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest.

In addition to bad weather, a technology failing also contributed to to airline disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly paused operations at Washington, D.C.-area airports Sunday evening due to a problem with the communications system at a major air traffic control facility. Departures resumed after repairs were completed.

Beyond D.C., a chain of flights were also delayed or halted at other major travel hubs — including New York, Chicago and Atlanta — as thunderstorms moved across the country.

Nearly 2,000 U.S. flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday combined, according to flight tracking service FlightAware, and more than 1,400 U.S. flights had been canceled as of 2:45 p.m. ET Monday. Thousands of additional travelers experienced delays.

Staying calm — and knowing your rights — can go a long way if your flight is canceled, experts say. Here’s some of their advice for dealing with a flight cancellation:

MY FLIGHT WAS CANCELED. WHAT NEXT?
If you still want to get to your destination, most airlines will rebook you for free on the next available flight as long as it has seats, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

If you want to cancel the trip, you are entitled to a full refund, even if you bought non-refundable tickets. You’re also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras.

Kurt Ebenhoch, a consumer travel advocate and former airline spokesperson, has stressed that travelers are eligible for a refund, not just vouchers for future travel. If you do take a voucher, make sure you inquire about blackout dates and other restrictions on its use.

CAN I ASK TO BE BOOKED ON ANOTHER AIRLINE’S FLIGHT?

Yes. Airlines aren’t required to put you on another airline’s flight, but they can, and sometimes do, according to the DOT. Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, previously recommended researching alternate flights while you’re waiting to talk to an agent. Agents are typically under a lot of pressure when a flight is canceled, so giving them some options helps.

Ebenhoch also suggested looking for alternative airports that are close to your original destination.

IS THE AIRLINE REQUIRED TO GIVE ME A HOTEL ROOM, OR OTHER COMPENSATION?

No. As announced last month, the Biden adminstration is seeking to require that airlines compensate travelers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the carrier’s control — but, as of now, each airline still has its own policies about providing for customers whose flights are canceled, according to the DOT.

Many airlines do offer accommodations, so you should check with their staff. The DOT also has an online dashboard that allows travelers to compare cancelation and delay policies of major carriers.

I’M FACING A LONG WAIT TO REBOOK. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If someone in your traveling party is at a higher level in a frequent flier program, use the number reserved for that level to call the airline, Ebenhoch said. You can also try calling an international help desk for the airline, since those agents have the ability to make changes.

HOW CAN I AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE?

Ebenhoch said nonstop flights and morning flights are generally the most reliable if you can book them. If you’re worried about making it to the airport in time for a morning flight, he said, consider staying at a hotel connected to the airport the night before. And consider flying outside of busy dates.

Klee recommended comparing airlines’ policies on the DOT’s service dashboard. He also suggests reserving multiple flights and then canceling the ones you don’t use, as long as the airline will refund your money or convert it into a credit for a future flight.

ARE FLIGHT CANCELATIONS TRENDING LOWER IN 2023?

Flight cancellations trended lower throughout the spring of 2023 than last year, according to data from the FAA.

Industry officials argue that carriers have fixed problems that contributed to a surge in flight cancellations and delays last summer, when 52,000 flights were nixed from June through August. Airlines have hired about 30,000 workers since then, including thousands of pilots, and they are using bigger planes to reduce flights but not the number of seats.

Still, officials warn of lingering staffing shortages, notably among key air traffic controllers. The FAA is training about 3,000 more controllers, but they won’t be ready for this summer’s travel. The agency resorted to nudging airlines to reduce flights in the New York City area this summer, and it opened 169 new flight paths over the East Coast to reduce bottlenecks.

In a government audit published last week, the Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General found that the FAA has made “limited efforts” to have adequate staffing at critical air traffic control facilities, noting that the agency “continues to face staffing challenges and lacks a plan to address them, which in turn poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations.”

Source: AP

Travelore Tips: The TSA Has New Rules For Fliers.

As summer travel begins this Memorial Day weekend and continues through Labor Day, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing airport security checkpoints nationwide to screen high volumes of passengers.

About 2.6 million passengers are expected to be screened on Friday, May 26, the busiest day of the long weekend.

Many of those passengers may not have flown in a while and the TSA suggests they get caught up on all the changes. Even those who have flown in the last few months may be in for a couple of nuances as well.

Update on TSA PreCheck

Any parent or guardian already enrolled in TSAPrecheck can now accompany teens aged 13-17 to a TSA PreCheck screening when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen's boarding pass. Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian without restriction at any time.

“Passengers can help as well by being prepared, by having their identification ready when they begin screening and checking to make sure they aren’t bringing firearms, oversized liquids or any other prohibited item into the checkpoint,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “One person’s actions can delay screening for everyone else.”

Are you who you say you are?

TSA is deploying new technology solutions nationwide to modernize airport checkpoints, enhance security effectiveness, and improve the passenger experience. Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units now verify a passenger's identification credentials, flight details, and pre-screening status, such as TSA PreCheck, without a boarding pass. With CAT, passengers only need to provide their acceptable photo identification to the officer.

But, heads up – TSA officers may perform additional passenger verification if they think it’s needed.

If anyone is worried about their images being scanned, the agency said that those travelers may opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process without losing their place in line.

More scrutiny of carry-ons

TSA recently installed new state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) units nationwide, which the agency says greatly improves scanning and threat detection capabilities for carry-on bags.

The upside is that the new CT units give TSA officers the ability to review a 3-D image of passengers’ bags while reducing the need to physically search the contents of those bags. That means that travelers screened in security lanes with CT units no longer have to remove their 3-1-1 liquids or laptops, but they must place every carry-on item, including bags, into a bin for screening.

Pack an empty bag

The TSA says that it’s been monitoring what trends are happening at U.S. airports and recommends that travelers start with a completely empty bag and take a minute to know what items can be carried on before they go.

“When airline passengers begin packing for travel with an empty bag, they are less likely to be stopped at the security checkpoint for having prohibited items. Prior to packing that empty bag, check TSA’s What Can I Bring? tool to know what is prohibited,” the agency noted.

Check And Declare Firearms

One huge concern is the number of firearms that passengers have tried to get through security checkpoints in the last few months. TSA officers intercepted 1,508 firearms at airport security checkpoints during the first quarter of 2023 – more than 93% of them loaded.

If you try to get a firearm through security, you will get stopped, maybe fined, and the government will confiscate your gun and you won't get it back.

And that fine isn’t cheap, either. Trying to bring a loaded firearm or unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition in a carry-on could cost you $3,000 - $10,700, plus a criminal referral. Unloaded firearms carry a potential fine of $1,500 - $5,370 + criminal referral for anyone who tries to bring one through a TSA checkpoint.

For anyone who wants to travel with a firearm, the rule is simple: “You may still travel with a firearm – it just must be properly packed in your checked baggage and you must declare it to the airline,” Pekoske said.

Source: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/, Gary Guthrie

How Inflation Is Affecting Travel Points And Miles

After years of unusually low prices on airfare and vacation rentals during the pandemic, travel prices have taken off in 2022. And while travel price inflation has cooled with slowing demand and falling fuel prices this fall, it continues to affect travelers’ plans and budgets.

So with travel prices still well above their pre-pandemic levels, what does that mean for travelers’ hotel points and airline miles? Rewards programs regularly increase award prices , which are the number of points or miles needed to book a hotel night or flight. That practice devalues these currencies over time and renders customers’ collection of points and miles less useful. Yet, interestingly, the opposite effect seems to be happening this year.

REWARDS ARE WORTH MORE THIS YEAR

NerdWallet refreshed its annual analysis of points and miles programs and found something unexpected in a sea of bad inflation news: Many rewards programs’ points have become more valuable this year compared with the previous year.

American Airlines’ miles increased in value, from 1.2 cents per mile in 2021 to 1.5 cents in 2022. United Airlines’ miles jumped from 1 cent per mile to 1.2 cents per mile. In fact, almost every domestic airline’s miles either increased in value or stayed the same, year over year. This bucks the conventional wisdom among points and miles enthusiasts, who expect to see those values drop over time.

“Miles and points aren’t really a hedge against inflation, as the various programs and loyalty currencies are always devaluing based on business and economic trends,” said Tiffany Funk by email. Funk co-founded Point.me, a service that helps customers redeem their travel rewards. “But points can be a buffer against inflationary pressures in the short term.”

Put simply: Cash prices went way up this year and award prices (e.g., the number of miles needed to book a flight) also went up, but not as much. Airfares were 33% higher in September 2022 than that month in the year prior, according to the September Consumer Price Index report. Meanwhile, airline miles are valued only 8.7% higher on average than last year, according to the analysis from NerdWallet.

If cash prices tumble again, this effect of boosted points and miles values could get erased. But as long as prices remain high, travelers can nab outsized value from their points and miles — assuming they use them for high-value redemptions.

STATIC VS. DYNAMIC AWARD PRICES

In the old days of frequent flyer programs, a route would cost a given number of miles, regardless of the cash price. So a flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco would always cost, say, 5,000 miles. Yet the industry has trended away from the award chart approach toward dynamic award prices, which fluctuate to match the cash price. These programs generally offer less value when cash prices are high.

“The best redemptions when cash prices are high will be through programs that don’t tie their currency to the dollar,” Funk said.

Travelers should target programs like Hyatt, Wyndham or Alaska Airlines that still use an award chart to determine the cost of using points and miles. Conversely, Funk cited Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways as examples of programs that tie their rewards point values closely to the cash price of the flight.

“Instead, a program where the award prices are either determined in advance (with published charts) or are flexible/dynamic based on circumstances (load factors, revenue data, etc.) will be better bets,” she said.

Hyatt, for example, still maintains an award chart and saw its points increase in value from 1.9 cents to 2.8 cents from 2021 to 2022, according to the NerdWallet analysis. Marriott Bonvoy, which eliminated its award chart earlier this year, remained steady at 0.7 cent per point.

AWARD SPACE MIGHT BE HARDER TO FIND

Airlines continue to struggle with staffing difficulties and canceled flights, despite continued high demand. This means that planes are full, and that seats booked with miles are harder to come by.

“Historically, we’ve advised that extra award space often opens up a week or so prior to departure,” Funk said. “But right now, we’re seeing seats held until two to three hours prior to departure.”

Hotel rates, buoyed by strong demand and staffing shortages, have also put pressure on award redemptions. Most hotel programs use dynamic award prices that keep pace with cash prices, so finding bargain rates will remain a challenge.

In other words, hotel points and airline miles might be more valuable, relatively, but they could be harder to use. So, travelers should stay flexible when making plans.

By SAM KEMMIS of NerdWallet

Extensive Hunter College Survey Provides Travelers With Best In-Flight Food Choices And Health Rankings, Delta And Virgin America With The Healthiest Choices.

Survey provides travelers with the best in-flight food choices, 

including health ratings to make healthier choices 35,000 feet in the air

Delta and Virgin America Receive Top Rating

Knowing what are the ”best” and “worst” choices is a valuable tool for any traveler, so Dr. Charles Platkin, the director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and editor of DietDetective.com., once again studied the best “Calorie Bargains” and "Calorie Rip-offs" at 35,000 feet.

Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and DietDetective.com have released the 2017-18 Airline Food Study, rating foods for twelve (12) airlines. The study assigned a “Health Score” (5 stars = highest rated, 0 star = lowest rated) based on criteria including healthy nutrients and calorie levels of meals, snack boxes and individual snacks, level of transparency (display of nutrient information & ingredients), improvement and maintenance of healthy offerings, menu innovation and cooperation in providing nutritional information. The survey includes health ratings, average calories per airline, comments, best bets, food offerings, costs, and nutrition information (e.g., calories, and exercise equivalents). See the full study at http://www.dietdetective.com/ airline-food-investigation/

“This year Delta and Virgin America share the top spot as the airlines with the ‘healthiest’ food choices in the sky. with Air Canada and JetBlue tied for second,”  says Charles Platkin, PhD, JD, MPH,  the executive director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and editor of DietDetective.com.

The average number of calories per menu choice was 360 in 2012; in 2013 it was 388; in 2014 it was 397; in 2015 it was 400; in 2016 it was 392; and this year it's 405 calories, a 13 calorie increase over last year. However, calories are not everything; the survey also looks at the nutrients in the foods when they are provided (they are requested each year), as well as innovations moving towards healthy, tasty, inexpensive, sustainable foods.

Here are the major airline food headlines:

• Delta is the clear leader among the major carriers and is tied with Virgin America this year as the healthiest airline.
• Alaska Air purchased Virgin America, and the goal is to maintain the status-quo when it comes to food in all categories until next year.
• American and Delta have once again started offering complimentary meals in economy class on domestic flights, something we haven't seen in more than 15 years.
• Airlines are eliminating those oversized packages of snack foods and offering individual smaller packages or eliminating individual snacks altogether.
• Some airlines are going back to serving individual complimentary snacks, but they’re not very healthy. How about an apple or an orange, or maybe a Clementine or a Halo (mandarin orange).
• The "Shame on You" award goes to Hawaiian, United Airlines and American. Hawiian just does not respond while United’s food and beverage department seems put-out by the process, and it shows in their responses to queries. American Airlines is not much better, with a media rep who also seems annoyed by the process.   
• Note to all airlines: It is not difficult to get nutritional information for all foods. Every airline uses detailed recipes; all they have to do is put the ingredients into a free online food calculator (such as supertracker.usda.gov), and in a few minutes they could have complete nutritional information.  
• Read  the press release from the FDA commissioner:  “One important step is ensuring consumers have access to reliable and actionable information about the foods they eat so that they can make more informed choices about their diets and health for themselves and their families.” Menu labeling is coming in May 2018.

Below are the surveyed airlines' "Health Scores" (Health Score: 5 stars = highest rating, 0 stars = lowest). For full survey results including full listings of the snack/on-board food offerings, comments, ratings, cost, calories, exercise equivalents, and tips go to http://www.DietDetective.com

Summary of Health Ratings (5 Stars is highest): Delta 4 stars, Virgin America 4 stars, Air Canada 3.75  stars, JetBlue 3.75 stars, Alaska Air 3.5 stars, United Airlines 2.75 stars, American 2.5 stars, Frontier Air 2.25  stars,  Southwest Airlines 2 stars, Allegiant Air 1.75 stars, Spirit Airlines 1.75 stars, Hawaiian Airlines 1 star

Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Excellent

Health Score:  4 stars

Average Calories Overall (Meals, Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) =  480

Average Snack Box Calories = 560

Average Meal Calories = 559

Average Individual Snack Calories = 164

Comments:  Delta is doing an incredible job focusing on improving its food, transparency and communication.  It is the clear leader among the big carriers . While calories are surely not everything, it’s always nice to see a decrease; the overall calories are down from 527 to 480. Meals are down from 628 to 559. Delta has also eliminated many of its individual paid snacks; however, the free offerings (other than the almonds), while relatively low in calories, are still not the great choices.   Delta continues its commitment to improving its food in terms of health and consciousness.  Its menu continues to focus on “transparency into ingredient and allergen information for customers,” and its focus on transparency includes providing a key on the menu for snack items that are Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Kosher, and Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian.  Also, the Tapas box is the U.S. airline industry’s only non-GMO snack box. Delta continues to work with Luvo, which has a very strong commitment to healthy eating. All the calorie information for the Luvo items are listed on Delta’s menu (and online); I’m just not sure why the airline doesn’t put all nutritional information for all its food on the website and pocket cards.  Why not list ingredients, as well as fats, proteins, carbohydrates and sugar.

Best Bets: For a snack, the almonds are the best choice--even over the Kind bar or the lower-calorie pretzels.  The vegan, GMO-free Tapas Snack Box is a good healthy choice if you share or make it a meal (it’s too high in calories as a snack).  Within the box the best bests are the Super Seed Crackers, Snapea Crisps, dark chocolate, almonds, hummus, and quinoa with pepper dip. You can pass on the rest.

For morning travel, choose the continental breakfast (fruit and yogurt) at 345 calories, but save the Kind bar for a snack later in the day.  For Lunch/Dinner, choose the Sesame Noodle Salad or the Greek Meze Plate.  You can skip the caramel-filled chocolate to save calories.   

Virgin America (www.virginamerica.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Excellent

Health Score: 4 stars  

Average Calories Overall (Meals, Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) = 340

Average Snack Box Calories = 358

Average Meal Calories =  406

Average Individual Snack Calories = 276

Comments: The airline has been purchased Alaska Air, and eventually the Virgin name will disappear. The good news is that Alaska Air is committed to adopting the healthy food options (and transparency) of Virgin America.   Additionally, Alaska will more than likely reduce the sizes of the individual snacks. Virgin is still the only airline that provides nutritional information (not just calories) for all items. We applaud that transparency and hope Alaska continues to do so. There are not many menu changes (obviously because of the transition). The individual snacks are still unhealthy. There are nine snack options,which should include healthier options.

Best Bets: Avoid the individual snacks if you can. Even the nuts, which are the best choice, are high in calories if you consume the entire package. Always choose a real meal if you can. Even if it's slightly higher in calories; it will keep you full longer.

For breakfast, try the Udi's Granola with Yogurt and Fruit, which is a bit high in sugar but overall low in calories at 330. The best snack box is the Protein Meal with hummus, nuts and tuna; the others are a bit high in calories and are not really worth it. For kids, skip the Jet Set Kid Pack if you can, and go for the half peanut butter and jam sandwich. In general, almost all the meals (as long as they’re eaten as meals and not snacks) are good choices. The Quinoa Wrap at 420 calories is high in protein for a vegetarian meal, which will help keep you full longer. The Protein Plate is also a good choice, as is the Farro Salad with roasted chicken – powerful from a health perspective. Again, these are meals that will fill you up and help you avoid the junk. The good news is that none of the food goes overboard in terms of calories, so you really can't go too far wrong.

Air Canada (www.aircanada.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Very Helpful

Health Score: 3.75 Stars

Average Calories Overall (Meals and Individual Snacks) = 320

Average Meal Calories = 377

Average Individual Snack Calories = 267

Comments: The airline keeps nutrients high and calorie counts low for meals. Also, it’s nice that they offer meals but no snack boxes. People tend to eat the entire snack box, which is typically high in calories and low on nutrients.  The airline has ended its relationship with the food company, Luvo, and replaced them with a company called Freshii. The individual snacks are not great and still need work because there are very few healthy choices. Also, Air Canada should be transparent, putting nutritional information and ingredients on the menu. Why not?

Best Bets: For breakfast, the Greek yogurt is still a good option – and will probably fill you up. The Avocado Smash Box with fresh guacamole, hard-boiled egg, green apple slices, and multigrain muesli bread sounds amazing and also offers 23g of filling protein to keep you energized. Honestly, that is the kind of food every airline should be offering. Skip the egg sandwich.  The Chicken Soup is a low-calorie choice for a snack that will fill you up, but be wary of the 950mg of sodium if you have high blood pressure. The Celery & Carrots with Ranch Dip (if you use no more than half the dip) is an OK choice. While the hummus and the guacamole options sound healthy, the pretzels and Tostitos offer little nutritional value, and you’d be better off having a meal if meals are available.

If meals are available, the newly added Pangoa Bowl and the Fiesta Wrap are high-nutrient, low-calorie choices. The California Roll is another light offering that’s low in fat and calories. It would also make a great snack! The Thai Chicken Wrap is also a high protein, lower calorie option, but very high in sodium.

JetBlue Airways (www.jetblue.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Somewhat Helpful

Health Score: 3.75 stars

Average Calories Over All (Meals, Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) = 337

Average Snack Box Calories = 357

Average Meal Calories = 483

Average Individual Snack Calories = 142

Comments: The individual snacks are still low in calories as well as nutritional value. The airline continues to post nutritional information for its snack boxes and meals on its website. They don’t post nutritional information for the individual snacks, but it is on the packaging.  In terms of free snacks, which JetBlue is famous for, how about offering something healthy--there is NOT a single healthy choice in the group.  However, the airline is clearly thinking about this on the snack box level--just look at the new AmpUp box with olives, hummus, Mary’s Gone Crackers (they’re great crackers) and a That’s It fruit bar--those are the types of snacks JetBlue should be offering for free. It would change the face of the airline. JetBlue should note that people are very serious about what they eat and are extremely conscious of choosing healthier, organic, non-GMO, nutritious foods.  Finally, the airline should offer actual meals on more flights.

Best Bets: Still not too much in the way of healthy individual snacks. So keep in mind, the individual snacks are free, and the JetBlue team is generally friendly and will not say no to requests for extra portions. As for the Eat Up boxes, the Pick Me Up box is lowest in calories but not necessarily the most nutritious. The AmpUp box features hummus, Mary’s Gone Crackers and almonds, and while it’s high in calories, it’s loaded with good nutrition (e.g. fiber and protein). Have it as a meal though, not as a snack, and skip the chocolate crispy squares to reduce low-nutrient calories. If you’re on a flight that offers the Eat Up Café, the Yogurt and Granola (you might want to limit the honey), the Kale & Quinoa Salad and the Spicy Soba & Korean-Style Chicken (unless you’re sodium sensitive) are all good choices. Skip the Grilled Chicken and Brie Sandwich, which is very high in calories and low on nutrition.

Alaska Airlines (www.alaskaair.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Extremely Helpful

Health Score: 3.5 stars  

Average Calories Overall (Meals and Snack Boxes and Individual snacks) =  479.6

Average Snack Box Calories =  479

Average Meal Calories =  516.5

Average Individual Snack Calories = 315

Comments: The good news is that Alaska Airlines has purchased Virgin America (named the healthiest airline over the last few years), and has vowed to take on some of VA’s healthy approach to food.  That said, Alaska has always been committed to food, just not the healthiest.  The airline’s spokesperson was incredibly helpful and pointed out that the they will increase transparency on the combined airline and add many of VA’s healthy food choices  

Best Bets: Among the snack boxes, the Mediterranean Tapas hasn't changed much from last year and is still the healthiest choice. It has olives, hummus, almonds, dried fruit and even a dark chocolate bar. But keep in mind that 510 calories is a bit high for a "snack" (or even a meal), so it would be best if you either shared the box or had it as a meal replacement. For kids, the snack box may be tempting, but it's always better for children (and adults) to eat a real meal. FYI, the beef jerky is low in calories but very high in sodium. As far as breakfast goes, you can pick the Ham & Sweet Potato Frittata but skip the corn muffin. The breakfast offerings are a bit heavy and rich (as are all the meals). If you opt for the fruit and cheese plate, skip the crackers and half the cheese.  There aren’t too many dinner choices, but the Roast Turkey with Veggie Hash is a high-protein, low-calorie choice, although also high in sodium .

United Airlines (www.united.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Somewhat Helpful

Health Score: 2.75 stars

Average Calories Overall (Meals, Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) = 416

Average Meal Calories = 484

Average Snack Box Calories = 492

Average Individual Snack Calories = 311

Comments:  United, the 4th largest airline in the U.S., needs to change the way it thinks about its food offerings.  They have very little food transparency on the website, meaning that nutritional information is not available, and the ingredients are listed but you have to dig a bit to find them (and take a peek here--they’re not very “clean”). The individual snack choices are generally not healthy, the snack boxes could be much more food/healthy thoughtful, and the meals are average to OK.  Also, the food and beverage group as well as the media reps for the airline seem bothered and put off  by our inquiries.

Best Bets: Among the individual snacks, the hummus is the best choice, and it would be a good idea to avoid the other choices. Get the Tapas snack box, which is high in calories but has many healthy foods, including almonds, olives, hummus and bruschetta; just toss out the cheese spread. You should also share it unless you’re eating it as a meal. Skip the Classic and Select snack boxes. For breakfast, the Chobani Greek Yogurt and Fresh Fruit is OK, but it has a lot of sugar and a not-very-clean ingredients list (i.e., granola).  For Lunch/Dinner, the Mezze Sampler is your best bet and should keep you full. Another choice would be the. Mediterranean Chicken Wrap, although it has a bit too much cheese.  

American Airlines (www.aa.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Below Average

Health Score:  2.5 stars

Average Calories Overall (Meals, Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) = 446

Average Meal Calories =  495

Average Snack Box Calories = 526

Average Individual Snack Calories = 192

Comments: In addition to its complimentary snacks, American began providing complimentary main cabin meals as of March 2017.  Nothing very healthy, and I find the following comment not surprising considering that Delta is it’s competition: “Providing complimentary meals in the Main Cabin is yet another step we’re taking to enhance our service in this competitive market.”

The airline is still not publishing any food or nutritional information on its website--absolutely nothing.  This is  a strange move leading to even less food transparency and providing travelers with  no ability at all to plan their meal.  The only good news is that the airline has discontinued all it's unhealthy for-sale individual snacks. Fresh and Light Meals are a step in a better direction, but for a major US airline, American is very far behind when it comes to food.  The airline’s leadership needs to get in touch and start offering healthier, cleaner foods.  

Best Bets: The hummus box is the best bet among snacks for purchase.  If you opt to purchase a lunch, on flights of three hours or more the Chicken Arugula  Wrap seems to be the best option--go light on the dressing. The Turkey and Chutney Sandwich is also an OK choice. If you opt to purchase breakfast, the Egg and Turkey Bacon Sandwich is OK as long as you go light on the honey mustard dressing. If you're on a flight with complimentary breakfast, pick the Snack Box with yogurt and granola, which is just acceptable healthwise, and steer clear of the fruit and cheese plate. For complimentary lunch/dinner there really are no great options; the Fruit and Cheese Plate is the lowest in calories but not well rounded enough for a meal. The Vegetarian Wrap might be OK if you skip the brownie.

Frontier Airlines (www.flyfrontier.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Very Helpful

Health Score: 2.25 stars

Average Calories Overall (Individual Snacks and Snack Boxes) = 372

Average Individual Snack Calories = 386

Average Snack Box Calories = 300

Comments: Frontier’s communications team had historically been uncooperative. This year the information was shared promptly, but very little has changed on the airline’s menu.

Best Bet: As with last year, the trail mix could be the healthiest option, but travelers would be best off bringing their own food.

Southwest Airlines (www.southwest.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Very Helpful

Health Score: 2 stars

Average Calories = 125

Comments: Not much variety and not much in terms of nutritional value.  However, they are always helpful, and that’s nice.  I just wish they would add some healthy snacks or at least test a few.  This is one of the larger carriers in the US, so it would be great for Southwest to set an example and show that healthy food can sell if it is tasty and curated with consciousness.

Best Bet: The peanuts are the best, even though the pretzels are lower in calories.

Allegiant Air (www.allegiantair.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Very Helpful

Health Score:  1.75 stars

Average Calories Overall (Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) = 402

Average Individual Snack Calories = 474

Average Snack Box Calories = 307

Comments: The media department’s response was excellent this year and helped to clarify some of last year’s estimates, but a few more healthy food items would be welcome on the menu. I bet they would sell.  

Best Bets:  Among individual snacks, the nuts might work if you share them with at least one other person. The hummus snack pack is a good choice, but the snack boxes are not great in terms of health (and not just calorie-wise).  Avoid the Deli Snack Pack, and the Wingz Kids Snack Pack is not a healthy choice.

Spirit Airlines (www.spirit.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Helpful

Health Score: 1.75 stars

Average Calories Overall (Individual Snacks and Snack Boxes) = 316

Average Individual Snack Calories =342.5

Average Snack Box Calories = 316

Comments: The airline’s previous media spokesperson had been unresponsive but is no longer with the airline.  Good news.  Spirit, which is all about the bottomline, should see some grander opportunity in selling healthy food (e.g., better margins, increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction, etc…).  Also, the airline is not keeping up with the major

carriers, who have learned that large size snacks are not the best option for travellers.

Best Bet: The hummus and pita chips are one of just a few changes Spirit has made to its menu, and at 330 calories are probably the best choice for a satisfying snack. The cup of noodle soup at 290 calories may also feel like a real meal, but it is very high in sodium, so it is not the best bet for anyone who is sodium-sensitive or has high blood pressure. The cheese tray at 130 calories is a much better choice than the Cafe Snack Box.  

Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianairlines.com)

Cooperation in Providing Nutritional Information: Terrible / Unresponsive  

Health Score: 1 star   

Average Calories Overall (Meals, Snack Boxes and Individual Snacks) = 568

Average Meal Calories = 971  

Average Individual Snack Calories = 460

Average Snack Box Calories = 342

Comments: The airline does not respond to requests for food information. All the nutritional information was estimated by Diet Detective nutritionists.  Hawaiian Airlines’ food is high in calories and the menu doesn't offer much choice either in terms of health or in the way of food system consciousness (caring about sustainability, organic growing, no GMOs, etc…).  This could be a real disappointment if you are on a long flight and have not planned in advance. Plus, when free food is put down in front of you, you have a tendency to eat it. All of it. That could be a lot of unhealthy food.

Best Bets:  Among the snacks, choose the Hummus & Pita Chips. It’s really the best choice, and better than any of the individual snacks, which are very high in calories. You might think the Salted Macadamia Nuts would be a good choice, and they do have healthy properties, but only if you split them with 5 other people or have them over the course of a few weeks.  The two oatmeal options are lower in calories but likely high in sugar, while the beef and cheese sticks (the lowest calorie individual snack option) are high in saturated fat and sodium.

Also, keep in mind, you will probably get a very high calorie, unhealthy free meal on your flight, so go light on those snacks. Don’t be fooled by the Gluten Free Box; while many of the individual items are OK healthwise (such as the hummus and roasted chickpea snacks), it’s still high in calories and out-of-touch with current food trends.

For the complimentary meals, try to go light on the breads, treats and dressings. Your best bet calorie-wise, if it's available, is the Penne Pasta Bolognese Sauce and green salad, but skip the shortbread cookie. In the end, it would be best to eat before you board the plane; otherwise you might wind up feeling lethargic and cranky after one of these calorie-heavy meals.  Just say no, and bring your own food.