TPG Staff Picks: Our Favorite Snacks to Bring Onboard
Any seasoned traveler knows a good snack can get you through a long day of flying. Whether you're trying to survive a long layover, a long-haul flight or day of Nor'easter cancellations, you can't go wrong munching on something yummy. While little can live up to the multi-course buffet in a premium airport lounge, instead of settling for a tasteless cup of coffee or airplane peanuts, we here at TPG don't mind packing some savory treats to keep us satiated during a flight.
Here are our favorite go-to snacks to pack or buy at the airport. After all, no one likes being hungry from 35,000 feet in the air.
Candy
"I gravitate toward artificial, sugary snacks such as Red Vines, Sour Patch Kids and M&Ms. They say your sense of taste is different in-flight, but I wish I could say these aren't some of my faves on the ground as well." — Sarah Silbert, Points and Miles Senior Editor
Nuts
"My in-flight snack is cashew or macadamia nuts and Dom Pérignon." — Brian Kelly, The Points Guy
Protein Bar
"I bring Primal Kitchen Chocolate Hazelnut Collagen Protein Bars onboard. They are high in protein, which keeps me full, but low in sugar and carbs (unlike most of the snack bars you buy at the airport or on planes). They also don't taste that good, so I eat them slowly (unlike a Kind or Cliff bar, which I demolish in one bite)." — Isabelle Raphael, Photo Editor
Crackers
"I usually try to eat ahead of time or bring my own food with me. I won't go anywhere without my GG crackers since they are filling and help me stay on track — even while traveling or on-the-go." — Samantha Rosen, Social Media Editor
Caviar
"I don't often buy food onboard, since I get free snack boxes or meals when flying coach as a United 1K, but my favorite in-flight item would have to be caviar. I don't even love the taste of caviar on its own, but with ice-cold vodka and all the fixings it's really hard to beat." — Zach Honig, Editor-at-Large
Ramen Noodles
"I am obsessed with soup and noodles, so I love traveling in and out of East Asia airports with their little magical kiosks of plenty. I usually stash away one or two ramen cup noodles in my bag for late-night snacks on long-haul flights. Shim Ramyun is a great default brand, but I also love sampling obscure Japanese and Korean flavors when available." — Katherine Fan, Freelance Writer
Flipz
"I wish I could say my favorite in-flight snack is something bougie or healthy even, but au contraire: my go-to snack is Flipz milk chocolate-covered pretzels. I don't buy much junk food day-to-day, so this is a real pre-vacation treat. They're just the right balance of salty and sweet, low maintenance and something that puts me in an out-of-office state of mind." — Jane Frye, Nights & Weekends Editor
Salad
"I don't have a particular snack, but I usually like to grab salad or something light so I'm not totally stuffed before I sit in a cramped economy seat for a few hours." — Brendan Dorsey, Associate Editor
Anything Healthy... Or M&M's
"My main criteria for picking an in-flight snack is that it doesn't smell too much (I don't want to annoy my seatmates or make them jealous). Plus, I like to eat/drink quickly — so I try to bring on a smoothie (if I can find one in an airport), or I'll try to find a healthy combo of snacks (almonds, fruit, string cheese) and go with that. If I'm feeling particularly undisciplined, I'm carrying on peanut M&M's." —Cindy Augustine, Lifestyle Editor
Granola Bar
"I've recently discovered Nature Valley's almond bars and I treat myself to one bar wherever I go. This snack satisfies my craving for something sweet or savory every time. The best part is that they're easy to pack and carry around." — Alexa Noel, Editorial Intern
Macadamia Nuts
"When I was a kid, my parents always used to buy a jar of macadamia nuts before a flight and we'd open them up once in the air to share between the four of us. I haven't done that in a while, but they were a great in-flight snack.... I should definitely bring that tradition back!" — Jeffrey Preis, Editorial Intern
Latte
"A delicious latte is always my go-to snack, but especially so when I'm traveling. I truly enjoy sitting back and relaxing in my seat with a good cup of coffee and a movie playing." — Lindsey Campbell, Social Media Director
Shrimp Ceviche
"Delta has a shrimp ceviche that's been appearing lately in its SkyClub lounges, and when I see it, I always have a second helping. And a third, and…" — Alberto Riva, Managing Editor
Hummus
"I'm completely addicted to hummus. When I can find the Sabra to-go cups with pretzel dippers in the airport, it's a good day!" — Jessica Puckett, Assistant News Editor
Photo by Shutterstock.com
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees