What is the new etiquette for eating food on an airplane?
On several flights recently, I observed plane food in all its glory. On a very early morning flight (leaving at 6 a.m., which is beyond the pale), there were fellow passengers eagerly munching on traditional morning foods, like bagels and cream cheese. But there were others who unwrapped giant sub sandwiches, and more than a couple with cardboard boxes loaded with hot cheesy pizza. Coffee, of course, but more than a few people chugged down sodas. From another class of service (not mine), came the compelling and not-so-inviting smell of something chili and salsa-like. For me, that's just too early in the day to contemplate anything that savory.
On a long evening flight that stretched well beyond the dinner hour, my fellow passengers compensated for the lack of sustinence with creativity. There were people with cheeseburgers and soggy fries, some that packed plastic containers full of intriguing caprese salads and cold pastas, others that gamely held on to a full plate of Asian noodles slushing a bit with soy sauce. To each his/her own.
Getting to the etiquette part: I think you can't be too fussy about aromas or smells from other passengers' foods. After all, we are stuffed together for a finite period of time, and no sense getting all excited about someone else's mondo beef burrito or jar of kim chee. I think the etiquette is being considerate of your seatmate, and taking care of your own discards, so you aren't expecting the flight attendants to deal with your leftovers. I think it's rude to stuff old food into the seat pockets, too. Bring your own bag for your waste, and package it up carefully so it doesn't leak for the next group of passengers.
If I sound a little cranky, I'm not. I alternate between telling myself I won't starve if I don't eat for a few hours, but then I recall the time we sat on a runway for over five hours, and all I had to eat were some Combos (pepperoni flavored). I devoured them over the course of endless starts, stops, delays and finally the flight home, and was grateful for every last bite.
Now I pack food that isn't too smelly, messy or visually unappealing. That usually means things like apples, crackers, cheese, water or juice, granola bars,almonds and the not-to-be forgotten standby: junior mints. There have been times when I've had to rely on these when I have arrived somewhere when there's no food to be found on the other end.
Finally: a confession. Just last week, I flew home with six of the most delicious, icing-loaded vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, secured in a box with little holders for each one. My fellow passengers' rollaboards, placed inj the overhead bin, did not crush the cupcakes, and I'm happy to report I enjoyed them immensely. Plane food? Not so plain, but what a treat!