I've got a long day of flights coming up, from Portland, OR to Chicago to LHR and on to Dublin. I usually just pack trail mix to snack on, but am looking for new inspiration. Also, can anyone recommend a place to eat in the Chicago airport. Don't think I'll have time in London. Thanks for any suggestions!

As someone with a peanut and treenut allergy, I usually buy the foil envelope of chicken salad and bring some crackers to go with it. This gives protein, doesn't need refrigerated and can be opened without a tool or scissors. A plastic spoon or two are helpful.

None, I eat the food they provide on board.

We always carry enough food to get us through the next meal +, just in case we're delayed (been there), or they run out of food on a plane (done that).

Our usual:
celery/carrot sticks
small peanut butter packages
bag of trail mix and/or dried fruit and/or candy
cliff bars (or whatever brand you prefer )
cheese cubes
instant oatmeal packages (mix with hot water on the plane)

Re dining at Chicago, it depends on the airline/terminal. There are plenty of sit down options at either the UA or AA terminals - they'll be self evident as you walk around.

Chicago to London you'll be provided with 2 "meals" - you can check with your airline to see if you can pre-select a choice.
For an overnight flight whether or not I eat before departure depends on the departure time. If 5 or 6pm then I may eat on the plane. If later, eg 8 or 9 then I'll eat dinner before boarding then skip the meal on the plane & try to get more sleep.

Not sure which airline(s) you are flying and where in the airport you will be... Celebrity chef Rick Bayless has several Tortas Frontera restaurants in different terminals at ORD. I don't usually eat at the airport because I originate and end travel here, but when I do, that is usually my go to. Also the Publican has a restaurant just inside security near the L concourse of Terminal 3 (accessible from 1, 2 or 3).

I don't bring snacks, either.

I don't normally bring snacks either. On rare occasions I might bring crackers and cheese. I often buy iced coffee or bottled water in the airport so I do t have to throw it away during check in and security.

We usually just take some trail mix type of snacks, with nuts and dried fruits, and a few protein bars. I prefer to get more substantial food available in the airport, like a turkey sandwich for onboard. Traveling can be such a pain, I like to have some decent food along the way.

But, it's nice to have the peace of mind, knowing we have snacks if we get desperate. On one long-distance flight, the person who sat next to me was distressed because of a mix-up, which caused her to leave her hotel's breakfast buffet without eating a thing, so she could rush to the airport. She was really hungry, she said, and out of sorts. She was so happy to have a few of our Luna bars to tide her over. I was glad I had them to share.

I always buy a bag of cashews and a magazine at the first airport. Maybe throw a few granola bars or dried fruit in the bag too.

Ever since (many years ago) being on a delayed flight with no food on board available... I never get on a plane with nothing.

Besides that I typically purchase a snack tray (salami, cheese, crackers), a green salad or ready-made sandwich at any airport I go through along the way.

Wow. So many packaged snacks, including peanuts, are sold in the shops at terminals; I'm assuming many passengers bring them along to consume on the plane. That's something I hadn't considered. It makes me wonder how people with such severe allergies can travel!

Usually I am traveling with family or friends and so I haven't had to deal with this. If my seatmate pulled something out with peanut butter, I would ask if I could swap seats with another passenger before you eat. Generally, if it's a one-on-one ask and you're nice, most people get it.

When the flight attendants give out peanuts until two rows before mine, it can be awkward to hear over and over "Why can't I have peanuts?"

I thought airlines had stopped offering peanuts altogether. Nowadays I always get mini pretzels. I myself certainly wouldn't bring any nuts on a plane. I would also avoid bringing anything with a pronounced odor, like oranges or hard-boiled eggs. I usually don't bring anything at all on the plane, except water.

Our next flight leaves Orlando at 10:45 pm for Dublin. It used to leave around 8:30. We get to airport and eat before boarding so just sleep on board. I have gone to WaWa and purchased a sandwich and taken but they have some great to go snacks there. I detest that pesto sandwich they give you an hour before landing. I think every airline has their version. Last trip we had a bag of celebration candies we bought at airport duty-free and ate them all. Yum.

I have a serious dietary restriction (wheat and wheat gluten). Two years ago Air France served me a gluten free meal that was completely unidentifiable (I had a contest for friends when we got home). This year when we fly Air France for 10-11 hours I am bringing my own food. I have 2 instant oatmeal cups (one for the outbound and one for return), several bar type snacks. I hope to be able to buy an apple and cheese in the airport. I had momentary hope of a Jersey Mike's sandwich on GF bread but they are in another terminal. I won't turn down the AF meals however, might be good for another contest.

Original poster here! I'll be arriving in Chicago at terminal 3 and leaving 3.5 hours later from 5.

In my whole life, I never thought that oranges had a pronounced odor. I guess I always thought it an appealing scent. Now durian, yeah.

I take little debbie's oatmeal pies, cheeze its, goldfish crackers, travel cereal boxes like cheerios and pringles in the small travel sizes. I hate airplane food, the smell of it alone, turns me off. I do try and have a real meal at the airport before my flight as I have to leave my house at least 3-4 hrs before the flight. It does help and having my snacks just in case have come in handy.