HOW TO CARRY YOUR OWN AIRPORT AND INFLIGHT LUNCH




Since the advent of budget airlines, we have been seeing increasingly that in-flight meals which used to be served earlier is currently being discontinued completely; especially for shorter routes. One can however pre-book a meal ( where they serve you a pricey sandwich ) or end up having the over priced ready-to-eats once airborne. So, a ready to eat cup of poha/upma/ noodles or rice/biriyani which usually comes at around Rs.50, one has to pay a whopping 400 bucks. Two piece of cookies cost 200, as well as nuts or cashew. So, inside a flight one pays thrice or more the original price. Same is the case with food we find at airports. Now, while its all fine if you have no problems paying for over-priced food items, there are some ( like me ) who always tries to find a way around it ( jugaad ) and enjoy the same food at its original MRP instead of the inflated prices. So, I've found a cool hack around it - simply carry your own airport/plane lunch along with you. Its that simple :-)



You can typically carry food items like paratha, thepla or even sandwich / bread butter/jam in a regular tiffin box along with the water. Carrying food is allowed, however, one must check with the particular airline's guidelines if there are any restrictions. They should be properly packed though, and not cause inconvenience to others. I don't like carrying those typical 'cooked' things...instead I can very much carry the contents similar to the ones the airlines provide ( albeit at such high rates :o ), myself - for much less. For one, my MTR/MOM ready-to-eat poha/upma ( or Nissin noodles ) packet goes in first. They are the ones where you simply have to add in hot water. You can ask for hot water to the cabin crew once boarded. They would not refuse. Speaking of hot water, I can easily carry the small Rs.2 coffee or tea sachets ( that can be dipped ). Milk powder and sugar sachets are also available, so carry the small ones ( Rs.5 ones ). Your inflight hot bevarage as well as meal is ready. I can also carry a bunch of almonds/walnuts/pistachios and salted cashew and munch on them as a snack. Carry an apple or banana along, also some grapes - viola, a fruit salad is ready inflight. Carry fruits that are not messy and doesn't need knives. I personally don't like biscuits or cookies, but a packet of potato chips or some namkeens, oh yes, I can't miss those. Since, I'm already having tea/coffee, I must also add that one can always carry a mini thumsup/frooti or paperboat juice as well. These days you also get those packed ready delicious croissants, grab a few of those. Lastly, those mini cake slices - monginis swissrolls or britannia mumfils, they are so easy to carry and comes in individual slice sizes, best for flight journeys; thus, a must to complete your inflight dessert requirements. So, there you have it - your entire inflight lunch menu is ready - all inside your hand baggage. Hand Baggage weight allowed is 7Kgs for domestic flights, so these items will easily fit in. Once lunch is completed, when cabin crew comes to collect the trash, just hand over the wrappers ;-)



PS : Packaged food are generally not considered healthy, but for travel purpose I think they are ideal and comes in mini individual sized packs too - and so are just apt! The airlines are anyways selling them to you at exorbitant prices, so, why not buy at MRP from your local grocery and carry them with you ;-)

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TOOK FIRST FLIGHT AFTER AIR INDIA FLIGHT 171 BOEING 787-8 DREAMLINER CRASH


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As it is I'm scared of taking flights ( a chronic flight phobic that I am ); but, when there's news flashing the air waves incessantly about the dreamliner crash that happened recently, which killed everyone onboard ( except one ). I'm doubly petrified. More so, if I have a flight ticket in my hand. I became numb; didn't know what to do. Go on with my travel plans or cancel them altogether. My mind was in chaos, fighting diverse thoughts of 'what if this happens or that happens; what if I do this or that.' Many people inspite of the crash continued to travel worldwide, but, I was so scared I nearly cancelled my ticket altogether. I thought to postpone all my plans. But something inside me reasoned that, if I get another ticket on a later date - whats the guarantee that I'd land safe then; or that, accidents can also happen in train/bus or road travel too so whats the point fretting about it. Air travel is still considered quite safe compared to the other modes. In my recent road trips, I had seen so many over-turned trucks and my own car underwent some scary moments too, especially, when my solar battery caught fire - and I was somewhere in a remote place. So, if something has to happen will happen anyways, so, just leave everything to God. Finally, grabbing some courage with lots of pep-talks to myself I boarded my flight. Yeah...I was scared throughout, but, I decided not to harbour negative thoughts. I decided to enjoy the views out of my window. Easier said than done, but gotta still try. I was seated near the wings, so, the views were bit obstructed, but the exit window was not far - so, that was my assuring point, that, in case of a mishap I can make a go for the exit. Phew...since I'm writing this post now...its evident that I made it alive, but, while I was inside the aircraft there were indeed some moments of sheer terror.

I made another mental note not to book flights in heavy monsoon season again. While we waiting for the plane to taxi, I almost chewed my nails off as I watched flights taking off and landing barely few seconds of each other - because of crazy air traffic. As the plane I was in picked up speed and took off, we were surrounded by the blanket of white clouds almost instaneously. And did I forget to mention the plane shrieked the entire journey. Sharing my entire flight saga...Enjoy :-)


waiting nervously after boarding at the airport...monsoon time flights adds to the anxiety manifold :s


preparing to take off...hoping and praying the plane doesn't skid off the rain-drenched runway...


airborne...wheee...I could see nothing...it was a complete white-out cutting through the clouds...


few times saw bits and pieces of mother earth far below through those fluffy clouds...


it was rare we got glimpse of the blue sky...that blue round thing btw is the plane's engine...


the entire flight was cutting through clouds, so many times the pilot announced air-turbulance, wheeeww!


finally, much to my relief after so much ordeal the skies cleared and I could see green rolling hills below...


till the flight landed my heart was literally in my mouth...







I know I was perhaps too scared this one flight compared to other times, because of the recent mishap. However, after making it alive, I think I was panicking unnecessarily. We can't stop the destiny, so might as well take a chill pill and enjoy the ride instead. As it is, we'll all die one day - thats a certainity, so, why worry about it. Lol...I know, I know I'm reassuring myself. Next flight, I might again be a bundle of nerves :-)) Everything aside, the grounds look really beautiful from up above as did the clouds in their varied patterns and colours, I couldnot help but wonder how God has created everything so beautifully and how everything moved so systematic; and, man too was no less for inventing the aircraft to travel around it.


List of air crashes. Air India Flight 171 was a scheduled international passenger flight operated by Air India from Ahmedabad Airport in India to London Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom. At 13:39 IST on 12 June 2025, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating the flight crashed approximately thirty seconds after take-off into the hostel block of B. J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighbourhood of Ahmedabad. Seconds after take-off, the aircraft began losing altitude while maintaining a roughly wings-level and nose-up orientation. The flight crew issued a mayday call reporting loss of power and thrust. The crash caused multiple explosions. The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members; all but one passenger were killed. The crash also killed 19 people and injured at least 60 more on the ground. This was the first fatal accident and hull loss of the 787 Dreamliner, which entered commercial service in 2011 ( wiki ).
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SKYWATCH FRIDAY - SOUTH BOMBAY HERITAGE WALK



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The south bombay region was previously called 'fort' as it was fortified by walls and only the british colonials had access to ( pre-independence ). The place was accessed only by the port situated in it ( near gateway of india ), and, locals were barred from entering ( in the past ). It has many british era monuments that still stands today. A trip to south bombay feels like visting some european country ( sans the crowd ), because of its typical gothic, victorian and indo-saracenic style buildings and structures that have stood for centuries now. Its intriguing how new concrete structures barely last 40 odd years, while these impressive structures have stood the test of time - such engineering and architectural marvels that they are. They are part of our heritage and is a must visit while in bombay to understand the history and colonial past. While we may condemn the british colonists, we have to acknowledge their valuable contribution in various fields and infrastructure. Of course, when they built these monuments, they had no intention to leave India; but as fate would have it - the freedom struggle and the World Wars did make them leave in the end with the amazing contributions landing in our laps ready-made. I was recently in South Bombay for an event, and could not help but stroll around admiring these structures. It was truly a walk into history.
SOUTH BOMBAY HERITAGE WALK
maharashtra police headquarters building...

SOUTH BOMBAY HERITAGE WALK
david sasoon library...

SOUTH BOMBAY HERITAGE WALKSOUTH BOMBAY HERITAGE WALK
street art on display outside jehangir art gallery...


bombay university building...

SOUTH BOMBAY HERITAGE WALK
another ancient giant standing tall behind that busy signal...

Bombay / Mumbai had over 591 heritage structures registered as of 2012. These include buildings, archaeological sites, colonial, industrial, domestic, architectural sites and public spaces. Most of them were built in the british era and are situated in the fort area of south bombay and are still in use in various capacities. The famous ones are - Gateway of India, David Sassoon Library and Army & Navy Building, Kenneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Taj Mahal Palace, Rajabhai Clock Tower, Oriental Building, Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Crawford Market, Victorian style HSBC Building, St Thomas Cathedral, VT or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, University of Mumbai, Mumbai Corporation Building, Bombay High Court, Wadia Clock Tower, Wesley Church, Prince of Wales Museum , Maharashtra Police Headquarters, Flora Fountain and many more. Don't forget to take the 'heritage walk' in south Bombay if you're in the city to experience the impressive colonial past and legacy :-)

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Address : Fort, South Bombay, Maharashtra.
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