Lois Larson
Airport food has long been associated with stale food courts, fast-food chains, and generic, overpriced options. However, airports around the world are increasingly becoming dining destinations in their own right, offering a range of culinary delights that reflect the local culture and flavours of their host cities. From Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which boasts a wide range of dining options for its nearly 300,000 daily passengers, to the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award-winning eateries at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, airport food is undergoing a metamorphosis. With travellers seeking out unique and delicious meals before boarding their flights, airports are responding by offering everything from customizable burgers to fine dining experiences, local specialities, and healthy options like make-your-own salads and acai bowls.
Characteristics and Values of Airport Food
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety | Fast food, overpriced snacks, healthy options, local specialties, fine dining, etc. |
| Price | Generally expensive; prices may be double or triple compared to similar options outside the airport. |
| Quality | Varies; some airports offer mediocre food, while others have excellent dining options. |
| Convenience | Quick options available for travelers with limited time. |
| Accessibility | Options available for different dietary preferences/restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. |
| Uniqueness | Some airports offer unique food experiences, such as celebrity chef pop-ups or local specialties. |
| Availability | Food options may be limited at smaller airports or during unusual travel hours. |
| Preparation | Pre-made and packaged foods are available for travelers who want a meal on the go. |
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What You'll Learn
Healthy options at the airport
Eating healthy while at the airport can be challenging, with many food options being overpriced and unhealthy. However, with some planning and knowledge of the right spots, you can make healthier choices. Here are some tips and suggestions for finding healthy options at the airport:
Plan Ahead and Pack Your Own Food
Packing your own food can be a great way to ensure you have healthy options available. Items like whole fruits, such as apples, bananas, and clementines, are easy to transport and do not require refrigeration. You can also make your own sandwiches, such as peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread, which is filling and shelf-stable. Hard-boiled eggs, homemade muffins, air-popped popcorn, and protein bars are also good options to bring from home.
Choose Wisely at the Airport
When purchasing food at the airport, it's important to be mindful of your choices. Avoid processed snacks and bars that are often loaded with sugar and fat. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, and whole grains. Look for meals with plenty of protein, such as meats, beans, or quinoa, and load up on vegetables. Some airport restaurants offer make-your-own salads or burrito bowls, allowing you to customize your meal and control the amount of cheese, dressings, or sauces added.
Explore Healthy Airport Restaurants
Some airport restaurants are known for offering healthier options. For example, Fresh Healthy Cafe offers wraps, salads, smoothies, and soups. Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill and Chipotle Mexican Grill let you build your own bowls, salads, or burritos, allowing you to choose healthier ingredients. Sushi spots like Umaizushi offer seaweed salad, sashimi, nigiri, and light rolls. Nature's Table provides soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps with sides like hummus and fruit.
Opt for Grab-and-Go Options
If you're short on time, look for grab-and-go options at the airport. Places like Freshens Smoothies and Yogurt, Au Bon Pain, and Wolfgang Puck often have pre-packaged salads, wraps, and healthy snacks available in a hurry.
Seek Out Healthy Snacks
Airport news shops, such as Hudson Newsstand, often carry healthy snacks like almonds, cashews, trail mix, and low-calorie, high-protein bars. These can be great options to tide you over during your travels.
Remember, larger airports tend to have more choices, but you can find healthy options at both large and small airports. With a little effort and awareness, you can make healthier food choices while navigating the airport.
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Bringing your own food
Planning and Preparation
Firstly, it's important to plan and prepare your meals in advance. This ensures you have something you enjoy eating and can accommodate any dietary requirements or preferences. For example, if you are gluten-free, packing your own gluten-free snacks and meals can be a good idea, as gluten-free options may be limited at the airport.
Food Ideas
There are numerous options for food to bring to the airport, with many travellers opting for sandwiches, rice balls, or onigirazu/gimbap. These are portable, can be eaten at room temperature, and can be easily made at home.
Fruit and vegetables are also popular choices, with apples, bananas, grapes, carrots, and cucumbers being convenient and healthy options. Dried fruit is another good choice, as it is lightweight and easy to pack.
For protein, travellers suggest items such as hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, hummus, and meat such as chicken or salami. Just remember to eat the meat early in your trip or pack an ice pack to keep it fresh.
Snacks
In addition to meals, bringing your own snacks can be a great way to stay nourished and satisfied during your travels. Snack options include crackers, pretzels, chocolate, gummy bears, protein bars, jerky, nuts, trail mix, and granola.
Drinks
Don't forget to bring a drink! Water is essential, but you might also enjoy coffee, tea, or juice. If you're bringing liquids through security, make sure they adhere to the relevant regulations.
Eating at the Airport
When bringing your own food, it's important to be mindful of the security restrictions at the airport. Make sure you are familiar with the regulations for carrying food in your carry-on or checked baggage.
Some travellers suggest purchasing plastic utensils at the airport if needed. Others recommend discarding any peel or wrapping your food comes in before boarding to reduce waste and save space.
Lastly, remember to pack extra! Delays and cancellations are common, so having some extra food and snacks can help you stay comfortable and satisfied during unexpected travel hiccups.
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Fine dining at the airport
Airport dining has evolved from stale food courts to culinary destinations in their own right. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, the second busiest airport in the world, is home to One Flew South, Atlanta's first fine-dining airport restaurant, which has earned two James Beard Award nominations for outstanding service. Ecco, another Atlanta airport restaurant, brings European flair with cured meats, cheese boards, and creative small bites.
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, America's fourth busiest airport, showcases the city's culinary prowess with the JBF@ORD chef series, turning terminals into a pop-up food festival. Lincoln Park's Butcher and the Burger offer customizable meat or vegan lentil burgers, while West Loop's Bar Siena serves up Italian street food and pizza.
For a taste of Southern cuisine, Shaun Doty's Bantam & Biddy, Gerry Garvin's Low Country Restaurants, Ludacris' Chicken and Beer, and soul food institution Paschal's are all excellent choices.
Outside of the United States, a Spanish jamón bar at Madrid's airport offers exceptional espresso and jamón ibérico de bellota bocadillo, a steal at under 10 euros.
So, whether it's fine dining, local specialties, or creative cuisine, today's airport dining scene offers a wide range of options to satisfy the taste buds of travellers from all over the world.
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Local specialties at the airport
Airport food has traditionally been associated with stale food courts, generic food options, and overpriced, mediocre meals. However, airports have recently undergone a transformation, with a newfound focus on showcasing local specialties and culinary delights.
One notable example is Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL), which boasts a wide range of dining options for its daily passengers. One Flew South, Atlanta's first fine-dining airport restaurant, has earned James Beard Award nominations for its outstanding service. Ecco brings European flair with cured meats, cheese boards, and creative small bites. Shaun Doty's Bantam & Biddy offers southern cuisine, while rapper Ludacris' Chicken and Beer adds a celebrity touch to the airport's dining scene.
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) also showcases the city's culinary prowess. The JBF@ORD chef series turns terminals into a pop-up food festival, featuring celebrity chefs like Rick Bayless, known for his Tortas Frontera. For a more casual option, try Potbelly's for a taste of Chicago's famous sandwiches.
For those passing through Madrid, Enrique Tomás offers a delightful surprise with its Spanish jamón bar and exceptional espresso. A jamón ibérico de bellota bocadillo paired with a doppio espresso is the perfect pre- or post-flight fuel.
Some airports also offer local specialties alongside healthier options. At Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Sambazon provides a refreshing acai bowl filled with fresh fruits and topped with coconut shreds, a nutritious alternative to typical airport fare.
So, whether it's fine dining, local favorites, or healthy options, today's airports offer a variety of local specialties to tantalize the taste buds of travelers from all walks of life.
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Airport food prices
There are several reasons why airport food is so expensive. Firstly, airport vendors must submit detailed proposals and lease agreements, which can include high monthly rates and commissions on sales. For example, commercial space rent at Portland International Airport has a minimum annual guarantee of $80 per square foot per year. Secondly, food vendors must have their supplies delivered and brought through airport security, which can be costly and time-consuming. Thirdly, suppliers often charge higher prices for businesses operating near airport terminals, knowing that airports are busy and profitable. Fourthly, staff turnover and employee parking expenses can also contribute to higher prices. Finally, people at airports are often bored or hungry while waiting for their flights, and businesses may take advantage of this captive audience by charging higher prices.
Some travelers choose to bring their own food and drinks to the airport to avoid the high prices. Common choices include sandwiches, fruit, protein bars, and snacks purchased outside the airport or made at home. Others may opt for airport lounge access, which sometimes offers complimentary snacks and drinks. However, for those who are hungry or looking for a treat, purchasing food at the airport, despite the high prices, can be a convenient and enjoyable option.
While airport food prices are generally higher than average, there are some ways to find more reasonably priced options. Checking prices at different vendors within the airport can help identify better deals. Additionally, some airports may offer a variety of food options, including local dining establishments, childhood favorites, and surprising discoveries that can provide a unique dining experience without breaking the bank. For example, a jamón ibérico de bellota bocadillo and an espresso at Madrid Airport cost under 10 euros.
Overall, while airport food prices can be a challenge for travelers, with some planning and creativity, it is possible to find options that fit within budgets and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports usually have pre-made salads, make-your-own salads, sandwiches, and burrito bowls. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also available at some airports. If you're looking for a quick snack, opt for nuts, seeds, or a banana instead of processed bars, which are often loaded with sugar.
If you're in the Atlanta airport, check out One Flew South, which has earned James Beard Award nominations for outstanding service. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport showcases the city's culinary prowess, with Tortas Frontera being a popular choice. JFK International Airport's Terminal 5 offers a range of options, including H&H Bagel, Artichoke Basille's Pizza, and Baked by Melissa's cupcake bites.
Nutritionists recommend avoiding excessive alcohol consumption at the airport, as it can increase the risk of flight delays or refusal of boarding. Processed foods, such as fast food, and sugary snacks, are also best consumed in moderation.
It's generally recommended to bring shelf-stable snacks such as fruit, vegetables, crackers, hard cheeses, and protein bars. If you're bringing a sandwich, consider a simple option like peanut butter and jelly, which doesn't require refrigeration. You can also bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at the airport to stay hydrated.
