Ultra-long-haul business travel often involves disruption to sleeping and eating routines, especially when multiple time zones are crossed. Planes now travel vast distances without the need to refuel, 12 to 15 hours flights are becoming common. Planning ahead with a supply of healthy snacks can help make the time pass more comfortably on these very long journeys.
We Need to Consider
Which snacks should we bring to the airport and which should we purchase after security?
Will we want to eat all the meals served and if not, do we need something to fill the gap?
Which time of day are the snacks covering? Do we want a breakfast type snack, snacks to have with a drink or feeling bored and need a little stimulation snacks?
What to bring to the airport
I bring from home nuts, fruit and small tasty treats.
Pistachios are delicious, high in protein but slow to consume and for me, perfect with a beverage.
Fruit: apples, seedless grapes and little mandarins. A plastic bag for rubbish and wet wipes for sticky hands are useful too.
Tasty treats: a small bag of yoghurt or dark chocolate coated raisins. Extra strong mints for sensory stimulation.
What to buy post-security
Water is the priority acquisition after security. It can be purchased or if we know our airport has water good provisions, we can bring an empty bottle, to fill from the dispensers in the terminals. Unless travelling business class there is never enough water available for my needs and if we have a sleep, we can miss out on the service. During a very long flight, I very carefully top up my water bottle by requesting a second cup of water during the drinks service.
Departure lounges have a plentiful supply of sweets and treats, but small packs of ‘trail mix’ and dried fruits are usually available, occasionally fruit and sandwiches.
Onboard meals can be salty, avoiding snacks high in salt will help us avoid getting dehydrated.
Snacks Served On Board
On very long flights, most airlines offer a snack service between meals. It can be a ‘help yourself’ selection of crisps, small chocolate bars, biscuits and if we are lucky apples, or something a little more substantial. A small sandwich or hot snack might be served, but the desirability of these varies enormously. Bringing our own snacks can give us healthier options and if there isn’t a snack service, or we’ve slept through it, we won’t go hungry. I have a much happier journey if I can turn away a congealed mini pizza or a box of something that looks like dog biscuits and get out my salad sandwich and fruit.
Tea and coffee aren’t always served as part of the snack, but most flight crew will provide a hot drink if requested.
Remember to Leave Prohibited Food Items On-board
Many countries don’t allow fresh food to be brought through customs. Fruit, meat and cheese are often best left on the aeroplane, or put in a quarantine bin at Arrivals.
Ultra-long-haul travel can be gruelling. Arriving in good shape and ready to work, rather than dehydrated and grumpy is essential to get the best out of the opportunities to do business.
© Extravitality 2016
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