No airplane food on our long-haul?

 I'm looking over my e-tickets, and it seems that there will be no meal service on the 9 hour flight from Minneapolis to Heathrow. Not that I feel like I'm being robbed of any immense culinary pleasure, but that's a long flight to have no meal service on... don't you think? I did get a bargain basement price for the flight so maybe that has something to do with it.  I guess I'll pack some lunchables for the kiddo and get over it.
 
 

 

Is there no food availble or is it that you have to pay for it? If you are taking food on board, I don't think they will let you take anything fresh like meat or dairy or fruit or veg ... only packet stuff, like crackers.

 Ah, maybe that is the case. I know lots of airlines have started charging for anything extra...I think it's US air that charges like 3 bucks for soda on domestic flights. Rip off!

 

Who are you flying with?

I have crossed the Atlantic 20 times since 1984 (4 times in 2008!), and I have always been offered 2 inclusive meals on each flight (various different airlines... TWA, Continental, AA, Delta, United, Transat). Going to the US during the day, it is usually a snack after an hour or two and then a main meal later in the flight and coming back to the UK overnight, they offered a main evening meal an hour or two in and then breakfast about an hour before landing.

If you are taking food on board, I don't think they will let you take anything fresh like meat or dairy or fruit or veg ... only packet stuff, like crackers.

In my experience, you can usually take fresh food/fruit/veg onto the flight, but you cannot take it through customs when you get off the plane, so you have to make sure you eat it all before you land . Not sure if they have changed the rules about this lately though.

Who are you flying with?

I have crossed the Atlantic 20 times since 1984 (4 times in 2008!), and I have always been offered 2 inclusive meals on each flight (various different airlines... TWA, Continental, AA, Delta, United, Transat). Going to the US during the day, it is usually a snack after an hour or two and then a main meal later in the flight and coming back to the UK overnight, they offered a main evening meal an hour or two in and then breakfast about an hour before landing.

That's usually the experience I have with Continental whenever I go to the UK. I usually have breakfast during my Portland to Newark flight since it's always in the morning. From Newark to Birmingham they usually have a dinner service thing an hour or so in, then they try to let people sleep (since it's always an overnight flight), then an hour or two before landing they give a small breakfast while everyone fills out their landing cards and such.

When I fly United we have always been fed at least 2 meals & a snack on our 10-11 hour direct flights from San Francisco to Heathrow.

 My ticket says Northwest (operated by delta) but then it says KLM on part of the ticket as well. Color me confused.

 I may call Northwest in a minute to ask about it, seeing as I don't have anything at all to do today:D
 

My ticket says Northwest (operated by delta) but then it says KLM on part of the ticket as well. Color me confused.

Checking the NWA website regarding in-flight meals, they say:

In-Flight Meals

Delicious snack items, snack boxes, fresh fruit and cheese platters along with sandwich or salad meals are available for purchase on board many flights.

For sale food items are boarded for your enjoyment on many of our flights.

The EATS buy-on-board food has replaced complimentary meals for domestic Coach Class customers. Complimentary meals are provided in First Class and on international flights.

Delta's website says:

We offer complimentary meal service on most international flights (approximately 6 hours or longer) and select flights to Alaska and Hawaii. Special meals are available on flights where complimentary meal service is offered.

and from the KLM site:

KLM Economy Class Intercontinental

Intercontinental Economy passengers have a choice between two different main meals. And, depending on the flight time, you’ll also be served breakfast, soup or a snack. Our drinks service offers you an extensive selection of hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks are always available from the galley.
Between meals, we serve delicious treats - such as ice cream -, depending on the duration of your flight.

Just to cover all bases  .

My grand daughter just flew Delta (operated by Northwest Atlanta to Gatwick)  two weeks ago. She was served a meal.

NWA/KLM offers meals as per normal.  Don't worry - we flew that route at Christmas.  The plane is crap, but you will be fed.  I think they have legal obligations, actually, if the flight is over a certain amount of time.

I'm looking over my e-tickets, and it seems that there will be no meal service on the 9 hour flight from Minneapolis to Heathrow. Not that I feel like I'm being robbed of any immense culinary pleasure, but that's a long flight to have no meal service on... don't you think? I did get a bargain basement price for the flight so maybe that has something to do with it.  I guess I'll pack some lunchables for the kiddo and get over it.
 

I've heard of those bargain flights. A guy I know had to bring a gas can full of fuel

Yeah, I remember being worried about that too - when I bought my ticket from Portland to Gatwick it said no meal service. This was with Delta, but they served me two meals anyway... I've never flown overseas where they won't feed you at least once, usually twice (depending on whether you're flying from the west or east coast).

I wouldn't worry about it, but pack extra for your kid anyway. And I've never had problems trucking on fruit/veg/coffee/whatever.

Girl, don't worry Northwest feeds you.  FYI, I fly with them often, their vegetarian meal is much better then their meat meal (normally it is). 

For the rest of you care to help me see if Icelandair feeds you during the flight from Minneapolis to Glasgow?  I can't seem to find anything that confirms they do and actually it looks like they don't feed you for "free", anyone want to see what they can find?

I've carried all kinds of food onto the plane openly. Never occurred to me not to.

 Thanks everybody, especially ksand for that in depth information:P

 And goods, I'm a veggie so that works out perfectly. That's what made me concerned about the meals in the first place..and I'm gonna write you back on fb in a min to further orchestrate our Minneapolis airport meetup. Good times.