If you’re travelling from one of the UK’s major airports, planning your pre-flight meal can be a breeze. Below you’ll find a guide to dining – and parking – at each airport so you can pick your table before you even set off. By choosing where and what to eat in advance, you’ll save time and reduce stress on departure day – leaving more time for duty-free shopping and relaxation instead of rushing around hungry at the terminal. Don’t wait until the last minute; take a few minutes now to browse your options at leisure and arrive at the airport confident about your meal plans.
Airport Dining & Parking Guides
Heathrow Airport
Parking: Secure your spot by booking Heathrow parking in advance for a smooth start to your journey.
Restaurants: Heathrow has a wide range of eateries across all terminals. Check out what’s on offer at Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5 – each terminal has its own selection of restaurants, cafés, and pubs to satisfy hungry travellers before a flight.
Gatwick Airport
Parking: Book your Gatwick Airport parking early to guarantee a convenient space.
Restaurants: From quick bites to sit-down meals, Gatwick’s North and South Terminals have you covered. See our guide to the top eateries at Gatwick’s North and South Terminals for a curated list of the best food picks before you fly.
Manchester Airport
Parking: Reserve your Manchester Airport parking in advance to save time and money.
Restaurants: Manchester Airport offers dining options in all terminals. To see what’s available, browse our Manchester Airport restaurants guide covering the whole airport, as well as a dedicated list for Terminal 2 restaurants (great if you’re flying from the newly expanded Terminal 2).
Birmingham Airport
Parking: Pre-book your parking at Birmingham Airport for a hassle-free departure.
Restaurants: There’s something for every taste at Birmingham Airport. Take a look at our Birmingham Airport restaurants guide to discover what’s on offer for passengers before boarding.
Stansted Airport
Parking: Ensure a quick start by booking Stansted Airport parking ahead of time.
Restaurants: Whether you want coffee, fast food, or a full meal, Stansted’s terminal has plenty of choices. See our Stansted Airport restaurants overview to find the best option for your pre-flight bite.
Luton Airport
Parking: Guarantee a spot by arranging your Luton Airport parking in advance.
Restaurants: Flying from Luton doesn’t mean limited dining – the terminal boasts a variety of eateries. Check our Luton Airport restaurants guide to see the range of cafés and restaurants available to passengers.
East Midlands Airport
Parking: Pre-book parking at East Midlands Airport to save on walk-up rates and breeze into the terminal.
Restaurants: For a regional airport, East Midlands offers a good selection of food outlets. Our East Midlands Airport restaurants guide highlights what’s on the menu for travellers flying from EMA.
Aberdeen Airport
Parking: Plan ahead by reserving parking at Aberdeen Airport, especially during busy travel periods.
Restaurants: From a hearty Scottish breakfast to quick snacks, Aberdeen Airport has several dining spots. See our Aberdeen Airport restaurants guide to plan where to eat before you board your flight in Aberdeen.
Bristol Airport
Parking: Book Bristol Airport parking in advance to make your trip smoother and often cheaper.
Restaurants: Heading out from Bristol? You’ll find everything from cafes to bars in the terminal. Read our Bristol Airport restaurants guide to discover the best places to grab food or drinks before departure.
Teesside International Airport (formerly Durham Tees Valley)
Parking: Pre-book your parking at Teesside International for easy access to the terminal.
Restaurants: Though a smaller airport, Teesside International offers essential bites for travellers. Our Teesside International Airport restaurants guide will show you what’s available for passengers flying from this airport.
Edinburgh Airport
Parking: Ensure a stress-free start by arranging Edinburgh Airport parking ahead of time.
Restaurants: Edinburgh Airport’s terminal features a wide array of eateries – from classic pubs to international cuisine. Check our Edinburgh Airport restaurants guide to find the perfect pre-flight meal in the Scottish capital’s airport.
Exeter Airport
Parking: Save time by booking Exeter Airport parking in advance, especially during holiday seasons.
Restaurants: Exeter may be a smaller airport, but you can still enjoy a snack or meal before flying. See our Exeter Airport restaurants guide to learn about the cafés and dining spots available for passengers.
Glasgow Airport
Parking: It’s wise to reserve Glasgow Airport parking before you travel for the best rates and availability.
Restaurants: From traditional Scottish fare to familiar chains, Glasgow Airport has plenty of food choices. Browse our Glasgow Airport restaurants guide to see what’s cooking for travellers flying from Glasgow.
Leeds Bradford Airport
Parking: Pre-book parking at Leeds Bradford Airport to guarantee your space and speed up your arrival.
Restaurants: Flying from Yorkshire? Leeds Bradford Airport offers a mix of bars, coffee shops, and eateries. Our Leeds Bradford Airport restaurants guide will help you decide where to grab a bite before your flight.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Parking: Plan ahead by securing your Liverpool Airport parking spot online.
Restaurants: Liverpool John Lennon Airport has options ranging from quick sandwiches to full English breakfasts. Check out our Liverpool Airport restaurants guide to see all the dining venues on offer for departing passengers.
Newcastle Airport
Parking: Reserve Newcastle Airport parking in advance for peace of mind and a quick walk to the terminal.
Restaurants: At Newcastle Airport, you’ll find a variety of places to eat or grab a coffee. See our Newcastle Airport restaurants guide for details on all the food outlets available before you fly.
Bournemouth Airport
Parking: Pre-booking Bournemouth Airport parking can save you money and time on the day of travel.
Restaurants: Bournemouth Airport is small but still provides basic food and drink options. Take a look at our Bournemouth Airport restaurants guide to plan a snack or meal before boarding your flight.
Southampton Airport
Parking: Book your Southampton Airport parking in advance to ensure a smooth start to your trip.
Restaurants: Before you set off from Southampton Airport, consider your dining choices. Our Southampton Airport restaurants guide outlines what’s available to eat or drink in the terminal so you won’t fly on an empty stomach.
Cardiff Airport
Parking: Guarantee a convenient parking spot by arranging Cardiff Airport parking ahead of your trip.
Restaurants: Flying from Wales’ main airport? Cardiff Airport has a selection of eateries to enjoy pre-flight. Check our Cardiff Airport restaurants guide for a rundown of where to eat or grab coffee before you depart.
London City Airport
Parking: It’s a smart idea to book parking for London City Airport in advance, given limited space.
Restaurants: London City Airport caters mostly to business travellers but still offers quality dining. See our London City Airport restaurants guide to find upscale bars, cafés, or restaurants perfect for a quick lunch or drink before boarding.
Southend Airport
Parking: Pre-book Southend Airport parking to save money and be close to the terminal.
Restaurants: London Southend Airport is smaller, but you can still grab a bite. Our Southend Airport restaurants guide will tell you what’s open for passengers, whether you need a coffee or a light meal before your flight.
Prestwick Airport
Parking: Arranging your Prestwick Airport parking in advance will make your journey through this Scottish airport much easier.
Restaurants: Prestwick may be a modest airport, but you won’t go hungry. Check the Prestwick Airport restaurants guide to see the food outlets available for travellers before take-off.
The Perfect Food for Flying…
Using our guide, you’re sure to get a great meal at the airport, but what you eat during the flight – and even in the days leading up to your trip – is just as important. Airline meals have improved in recent years, but following these in-flight eating tips will help you arrive at your destination looking great, feeling fresh, and ready to go:
- Stay Hydrated: Aeroplane cabins are extremely dry – humidity levels can drop to around 10-20%, much lower than the comfortable 40-70% we enjoy on the ground. This desert-like air can dehydrate you quickly by breaking down the mucus barriers in your nose and throat, making you more susceptible to bugs. Combat this by drinking plenty of water before and during your flight. Yes, you might need a few extra trips to the loo, but that movement is a good thing (it keeps your circulation going and helps reduce DVT risk).
- Don’t Overdo the Greens (if You’re on Warfarin): Loading up on nutritious greens is normally great – unless you’re on blood-thinning medication. If you suddenly bombard your body with vitamin K-rich vegetables like cabbage, spinach, or broccoli right before flying, you could interfere with medications like warfarin. An excess of vitamin K can make warfarin less effective, causing a drop in your INR and increasing your risk of dangerous blood clots. In short, if you take blood thinners, don’t attempt a last-minute “health kick” of endless greens before your trip. Maintain your usual balanced diet to keep your medication working properly.
- Chew Gum (and Suck Sweets) in Flight: The air pressure at cruising altitude is much lower than at sea level, which means less oxygen gets absorbed into your bloodstream – a mild hypoxia that can leave you feeling drowsy or light-headed. Lower pressure also makes your ears prone to popping or discomfort (especially for kids during takeoff and landing). Here’s a handy trick: chewing gum can actually help you stay more alert by increasing blood flow (and thus oxygen) to the brain. If you’re struggling to focus on the in-flight movie or feel a mid-flight slump in energy, try chewing a piece of gum to boost your alertness. And to ease ear pressure changes, sucking on a boiled sweet during ascent and descent encourages frequent swallowing, which helps “pop” your ears and relieve that pressure.
- Skip the Baked Beans: A traditional English breakfast at the airport might seem tempting, but think twice about those baked beans (and any other gas-producing foods). As cabin pressure drops, gas in your digestive system expands by roughly 30% at typical cruising altitude. That means any food that makes you gassy on the ground will make you extra gassy and bloated in the air. The result? Cramping and discomfort for you (and possibly an unpleasant time for the passenger next to you). You know your body best, so avoid the foods that tend to give you gas before you board. Your stomach – and your seatmates – will thank you.
- Adjust Your Meal Schedule: Long-haul travellers often battle jet lag and its unpleasant side effects, like fatigue or constipation. One way to get a head start on beating jet lag is to sync your body’s meal times with your destination’s time zone before you fly. In the week leading up to your trip, gradually shift your breakfast, lunch, and dinner closer to the times you’ll be eating at your destination. This way, your digestive system starts to adapt early, potentially minimizing that post-flight “out of sync” feeling and helping you feel more regular and energized when you land.
- Eat Oily Fish for Your Skin: Want to step off the plane with a healthy glow? Consider adding some oily fish to your diet in the days before you travel. According to skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns (of You & Your Skin), consuming omega-3-rich fish like salmon or mackerel in the week prior to flying can help keep your skin hydrated and supple, offsetting the drying effects of cabin air. If oily fish isn’t your thing, other sources of skin-friendly fats and vitamins can help too – try a handful of walnuts or snacks like kiwi fruit, which are packed with nutrients. By nourishing your skin from within, you’ll be more likely to arrive at your destination looking fresh-faced and radiant.
- Go Easy on Salt – Use Pepper Instead: Aeroplane food has a reputation for being bland, but it’s not entirely the airline’s fault. At around 27,000 – thirty-something thousand feet, our sense of taste is dulled dramatically – studies have found that sensitivity to sweet and salty flavours drops by about 30% in the air. The dry cabin air and lower pressure work against your taste buds, so you might be tempted to reach for the salt shaker to add flavour. But loading your meal with extra salt will only dehydrate you further and leave you feeling bloated and sluggish. A better strategy? Use pepper or other spices to enhance the taste. Spices aren’t as affected by altitude, so a dash of pepper, chili, or herbs can make your food more palatable without the side effects of too much salt.
Why You Should Eat Before You Fly…
A spicy airline meal can give your taste buds a helping hand at 30,000 feet – bold flavours like curries tend to shine in the skies.
Grabbing some grub before you fly really does make sense, according to boffins. In fact, taking your seat on a plane means you’ll essentially be leaving a chunk of your taste buds behind on the ground. Here’s why:
It’s Not (All) the Airline’s Fault: Ever wonder why aeroplane food often seems flavourless? The short answer is that the food might be perfectly fine – it’s your sense of taste that’s taking a nosedive. Flavour is a combination of taste and smell, and both of these senses get hampered once you’re at cruising altitude. The dry air and reduced air pressure in the cabin dull our perception of saltiness and sweetness significantly (as noted, by roughly one-third). That means even a dish that’s seasoned well can taste bland when you’re flying. Airlines know this, so they often compensate by packing meals with extra salt and sugar to satisfy our muted taste buds. Unfortunately, while that boost of salt and sugar may make the food taste “normal” in the sky, it can leave you dehydrated (salt will do that) and give you a quick sugar high followed by a crash – certainly not a great way to start your holiday. That’s why it’s a smart move to eat a satisfying meal before you board and drink plenty of water during the flight, rather than relying solely on in-flight meals. And if you do eat the airline food, maybe skip the super-sweet dessert to avoid overloading on sugar.
Choose Bold Flavours in Flight: Since your ability to taste subtle flavours diminishes at altitude, go for foods that fight back with sour, spicy, or umami-rich ingredients. Interestingly, while sweetness and saltiness suffer, other taste profiles like sour, bitter, and spicy remain largely unaffected by altitude. In other words, that mild pasta might taste like cardboard up in the air, but a zingy curry or a tangy dish will still pack some punch. So, if there’s a spicy curry option on the in-flight menu, it’s likely a better bet than something bland. Citrus-based desserts or dressings can also cut through where sugary ones won’t. And foods high in umami (the savoury “fifth taste”), such as tomatoes, mushrooms, or soy sauce, tend to hold their flavour well in cabin conditions. Airlines have caught onto this: they often include tomato juice or rich broths, and you might notice many airline meals lean on sauces or ingredients that are naturally high in umami to boost taste. Next time you fly, consider choosing the meal with a sauce or spice – you might actually enjoy it more than the safer-sounding option.
Don’t Whine About the Wine: Think that pricey bottle of wine you bought for the flight will taste just as good at 35,000 feet? Think again. The same factors that dull your food also affect beverages. Many wines taste more tannic or flat in the air than they do on the ground. In particular, experts suggest avoiding very acidic or tannin-heavy wines when flying. A fruity red or white with lower acidity will generally fare better on your palate in the pressurised cabin. Champagne, for example, is naturally high in acidity and relies on its fizziness and delicate aroma – all of which are subdued in flight. In fact, the lower cabin pressure makes bubbly lose its fizz faster, so that celebratory champagne might end up tasting disappointingly dull and flat. If you do want to enjoy an alcoholic drink on the plane, opt for something like a smooth, fruity wine or perhaps a beer specifically brewed for high altitudes (yes, some airlines have tried this!). And remember the golden rule: moderation. Altitude can amplify the effects of alcohol, and combined with the dehydrating cabin air, too many drinks can leave you feeling worse for wear. So choose wisely and sip slowly.
In summary, by eating before you fly and being mindful of what you consume in the air, you can outsmart the environment that’s working against your taste buds. Pick bold flavours when you’re cruising at altitude, stay hydrated, and save the subtle gourmet experiences for when you’re back on solid ground. Your body – and your stomach – will be much happier, helping you start your trip on the right foot. Bon appétit and happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have time, it’s usually best to eat after security. Most UK airports offer a wider choice of restaurants airside, including sit-down meals and grab-and-go options. Planning ahead means you won’t feel rushed and can choose something that suits your flight time.
Yes. Most major UK airports now offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-aware options. Larger airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester have the broadest choice, while smaller airports still provide at least a few suitable alternatives.
Airport prices are generally higher than high-street equivalents, but many airports now feature well-known chains with standardised pricing. Pre-booking parking and planning where to eat in advance can help balance costs and avoid impulse spending.
Light, balanced meals are ideal. Aim for foods with lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and low salt. Avoid very greasy, gassy, or overly salty foods, especially before long-haul flights, as these can cause bloating and dehydration in the air.
Solid foods are generally allowed through security and onto the aircraft, though liquids over 100ml must be purchased after security. Many travellers choose to buy snacks and bottled water airside to stay hydrated and comfortable during the flight.