A YouGov survey has ranked budget airlines by food quality, with results likely to surprise some UK travellers
Airline with the worst food named — and it’s ‘awful’
A recent YouGov survey has revealed the worst airline food on offer, with budget carrier Ryanair topping the list for all the wrong reasons. Travel expert Mr Plane Guy weighed in on the findings, saying: “Unfortunately, not every airline hits the mark when it comes to in-flight dining.
“At the bottom of the list is Ryanair, where only 21% of passengers had good things to say about their snacks and drinks. Worse yet, just 17% found the meals satisfactory, and a staggering 50% labelled them as ‘poor’. Not far behind is Wizz Air, with just a quarter of passengers giving their snacks and drinks a thumbs-up, and 40% rating the meals as bad. easyJet also struggled, with only 35% of travellers enjoying their snacks and 29% happy with the meals.”
He went on to say: “If food is an important part of your flying experience, choosing the right airline can make all the difference! Emirates and Qatar Airways seem to be the safest bet for delicious meals, while budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air might leave your stomach rumbling.”
One Ryanair passenger took to Tripadvisor to share their experience, writing: “Why is the food so bad!? We usually pack a lunch for our flight. In this case, we didn’t, and I ordered the fresh sandwich, which in this case was Turkey and Stuffing. It was truly awful and cost me 5€. I couldn’t finish it. This is not only an issue with Ryanair, but with other low-cost airlines. It must be as easy to source good food as bad. I really don’t understand it.”
Not everyone agrees, however, with some passengers saying Ryanair’s food is acceptable. One traveller recommended the vegan lasagna: “As a vegan, I massively appreciate the vegan lasagna; it’s not bad at all.” Another chimed in with: “The cheese toasties are actually ok, I’ve had it a few times.”
The Civil Aviation Authority today said ‘more awareness’ was needed as travellers ‘not aware’
The Civil Aviation Authority said portable chargers carry ‘serious risks’ of overheating or catching fire in luggage(Image: Getty)
Airlines have banned very common electrical items from flights – as news emerged of a surge in problems on flights caused by the items. Some carriers have begun to completely ban power banks that people use to charge their phones and tablets due to safety concerns. Generally, power banks are only permitted in carry-on, not checked luggage, amid fears they could explode and catch fire mid-flight.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today said ‘more awareness’ was needed as portable chargers carry ‘serious risks’ of overheating or catching fire. Jonathan Nicholson from the CAA told BBC News that restrictions such as not putting the devices in checked luggage were not “somebody being pedantic” or “for the sake of it”, with passengers urged “to do the right thing”.
Concerns are rising that people are ignoring the bans and simply taking the devices on board. Power banks have become popular because they offer essential, portable, and fast-charging power for smartphones and other devices while on the move, easing battery anxiety. They are affordable, compact, and versatile, enabling users to remain connected without needing a wall outlet, making them perfect for travel.
It comes after a UK-bound easyJet flight was diverted to Rome last week because a passenger had packed a charging power bank in hold luggage. The airline said the captain had decided to divert “in line with safety regulations” after a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft. Many airlines have toughened rules on power banks, often requiring that they be stored in hand luggage because of the risk of lithium-ion batteries catching fire.
The flight touched down safely at Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to the next day. A survey by the CAA of 1,000 UK passengers in November 2025 suggested more than a third know what lithium batteries are and are aware rules exist, but are unsure what the rules involve. Over-55s typically knew the rules better.
Mr Nicholson said the “basic set of international rules” all passengers must follow on power banks are:
Take them with you on board the aircraft, not in checked luggage
A maximum of two power banks per passenger
When on board the aircraft, don’t use them and “absolutely do not charge the power bank itself because that’s when they become really hot and most susceptible to having an issue”
Mr Nicholson said incidents involving power banks were “certainly on the rise” as portable chargers grow in popularity, alongside vapes which are not allowed in checked luggage either.
Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and now Emirates have banned the batteries. Emirates states, like many airlines, the devices cannot be used during flight. In certain circumstances, they will be permitted on planes provided they are switched off and stored under your seat – not in the overhead cabin – with these rules coming into effect in October.
According to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety experts, lithium batteries pose a danger on planes primarily because of their potential to enter “thermal runaway,” a phenomenon where a battery undergoes a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature, leading to fire, explosion, and the release of toxic fumes. Ryanair, easyJet and TUI all have regulations in place concerning power banks, batteries and electrical devices.
Ryanair
You may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices (this includes but not limited to: smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones, power banks). Spare lithium batteries (including power banks) must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch and carried in carry-on luggage only.
You may also carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries, provided they do not exceed 100Wh each.
Spare lithium batteries including power banks brought into the cabin should not be used to charge or power other portable electronic devices during taxi, take-off, or landing, not exceed 100Wh. They should not be placed in the cabin baggage loaded in the overhead storage locker. Be placed in cabin baggage under the seat in front, or on your person. Devices or batteries over 100Wh are not permitted in the cabin or the hold with the exception of Electric Wheelchair batteries.
Spare batteries, including power banks are not permitted in checked baggage.
EasyJet strictly requires all lithium-ion batteries, spare batteries, and power banks to be carried in cabin hand luggage only, prohibited in hold luggage due to fire risks. Power banks under 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) are allowed without approval; items between 100-160Wh require airline approval. Batteries contained in portable electronic devices should be carried as carry-on baggage.
Should these items be packed in checked baggage, steps must be taken to prevent accidental activation and to safeguard the devices against damage; all devices must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). EasyJet imposes a limit of 15 portable electronic devices per passenger. Portable electronic devices containing non-spillable batteries must not exceed 12V or 100Wh, and passengers may carry no more than 2 spare batteries.
Where Smart Baggage is being brought into the cabin, the customer must be able to easily disconnect and remove the lithium battery / power bank, but it can remain in the bag. Smart baggage must not be accepted for travel if the lithium battery / power bank cannot be readily disconnected and removed by the customer. If smart luggage is to be checked in and placed in the hold, the lithium battery/power bank must be disconnected from the smart luggage at Bag Drop and taken into the cabin. Any exposed terminals should be protected from short circuit. The lithium battery/power bank needs to be disconnected, so if you are unable to remove it from your luggage, we won’t be able to accept the bag on board.
TUI’s regulations forbid passengers from carrying loose lithium batteries, power banks, or spare batteries in checked-in luggage. These items must be kept in hand luggage only. Power banks must generally not exceed 100Wh, and terminals must be shielded from short circuits. Devices should not be recharged while on board. Dry AA(A) batteries (type Alkaline, NiMh, NiC) for small personal items such as a pocket torch or a radio are permitted, provided they are inside the device or enclosed in sturdy packaging.
Where devices are stored in hold baggage, precautions must be taken to safeguard the device from damage and to prevent accidental activation; the device must also be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). Loose batteries and power banks should be individually protected against short circuits by storing them in their original packaging, with terminals taped or placed in a plastic bag in hand luggage.
Airline permission is always required for medical devices. For further details, see section Baggage – Medical baggage. TUI fly requires all power banks to be carried in hand luggage, never in checked baggage. They must be packed to prevent short circuits (original packaging or taped terminals). Generally, capacity is limited to 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery, with power banks not permitted to be used for charging devices or recharged onboard.
Hand Luggage Only: Due to fire risk, all lithium-powered battery packs must be in the cabin. Capacity Limits: Power banks up to 100 Wh (roughly 27,000 mAh at 3.7V) are generally permitted.
Safety Requirements: Terminals must be protected against short circuits, such as by taping them or keeping them in individual plastic bags.
In-flight Usage: Power banks cannot be used to charge phones or laptops during flight, nor should they be recharged using aircraft power outlets.
Storage: Keep them in your seat pocket or under your seat, not in overhead bins
This European carrier serves regionally inspired dishes at 35,000ft
Andrea Blazquez Editor of Spare Time
14:56, 03 May 2026Updated 14:56, 03 May 2026
Airline with the best food named – not British Airways, Virgin or Emirates
A Greek airline boasting a fleet of 83 aircraft has been named the top carrier for in-flight dining, beating major rivals including Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, and British Airways. A study by Canstar Travel Insurance analysed passenger reviews and meals from the world’s top 100 airlines, concluding that Greek carrier AEGEAN serves up the finest food, earning an impressive score of 7.82 out of 10.
AEGEAN treats passengers to authentic Greek cuisine and regionally inspired dishes, while in business class, meals are lovingly prepared by acclaimed Greek chefs and sommeliers. The airline’s culinary philosophy is rooted in the concept of filema, which champions “love and kindness through food”. Other carriers delivering exceptional onboard dining include Qatar, Asiana Airlines and EVA Air.
On Tripadvisor, one traveller who recently flew with Aegean wrote: “Aegean Airlines is simply amazing! The level of service is very high, and it is incredibly easy to reach their call centre whenever you need help or extra information. On board, they offer food and drinks, and everything was delicious.”
A second passenger added: “I have used British, Virgin, easyJet, Ryanair… but no one is better, always on time and sometimes even earlier at the destination than Aegean Airlines.
“Although I’m Italian, I use it instead of Alitalia when I’m travelling to my country. Warm and delicious food and choices of wines and a particular menu for any kind of dietary or religious needs.”
People planning holidays should check that their destionation has no new alerts or warnings
Some areas have a blanket warning, and others may have specific areas that should stay off-limits(Image: Craig Hastings via Getty)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has significantly expanded its ‘red list’ in recent months due to regional escalations, particularly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It is important to be aware of which parts of the world pose a greater risk to tourists than others.
While it is not advisable to ignore the Foreign Office’s advice, doing so is likely to invalidate any insurance that travellers have obtained. In most cases, insurers will not cover people who knowingly go against FCDO advice and take risks. If you absolutely must travel to a high-risk area, you may need to look for specialised travel insurance companies that provide specific cover for such scenarios, according to ABTA.
As of April 28, 2026, the following list summarises the countries for which the Foreign Office has specific safety advice for travelling. In some cases, it issues a blanket alert urging people to reconsider visiting countries that are unsafe across all areas. Some areas have partial warnings in place. If people are visiting the area, check the Foreign Office website for the latest updates and warnings.
Countries where the Foreign Office currently advises against all travel:
Afghanistan
Belarus
Burkina Faso
Central African Republic (CAR)
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Lebanon
Mali
Niger
Palestine (Occupied Palestinian Territories)
Russia
South Sudan
Sudan (most of the country)
Syria
Ukraine (most of the country)
Yemen
Countries where the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel:
Bahrain
Cuba (entire island)
Ecuador (coastal provinces)
Egypt (significant parts: Western Desert, North South Sinai)
India (significant parts: Manipur, Pakistan border)
Emirates carries hundreds of thousands of UK passengers every year, including from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow
15:34, 27 Apr 2026Updated 15:52, 27 Apr 2026
Emirates says it is entering a ‘new era’
A major airline has issued an announcement to customers after an update to its service. Emirates carries hundreds of thousands of passengers on UK services every year going through airports including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Using its 615-seater A380s the route from London Heathrow to Dubai alone offers more than one million seats. Now those travelling on the aircraft will be able to access internet connections, which the airline hails as “better than at home” following the completion of the first installation of next-generation Starlink Wi-Fi onboard.
Making the announcement on Monday afternoon, the airline said: “Emirates A380 was one of the first commercial aircraft in the world to offer internet to its customers, with first generation systems offering a total aircraft bandwidth of less than 1 Mbps. Emirates’ installation of three Starlink antennas on each A380 will improve the Wi-Fi available onboard a thousand-fold – offering a ‘better than at home’ connectivity experience for customers, while flying at 40,000 feet.”
The first Emirates A380 aircraft equipped with Starlink made its return to Dubai this week, after its installation and certification were accomplished in Newquay. More A380s are scheduled for accelerated installation throughout 2026 allowing passengers to stream, game, browse, and work throughout their journey on personal devices.
The service will be complimentary for all customers. The airline has future plans to add Live TV streaming over Starlink, initially on personal devices and later integrated into seatback screens.
Making the announcement on X, the airline said: “Our A380 is entering a new era with next-gen @Starlink Wi-Fi onboard. Ultra-fast, complimentary connectivity across all cabins, customers can stream, browse and stay connected seamlessly at 40,000 feet. A fully connected journey, redefined.”
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And passengers were delighted to hear the news. One said: “Let’s go. The old system was under 1 Mbps.” Another added: “Please don’t ever ground this airplane.”
The “double-decker” Emirates Airbus A380 is the world’s largest passenger airliner. It is known for its onboard luxury including shower spas, onboard bars and lounge.
Ryanair, easyJet, and TUI ban electrical item – what passengers need to know – The Mirror
Need to know
Airlines have strict rules on power banks and batteries, with some banning them entirely while others only allow them in cabin hand luggage
Airline passengers have been told some items must only be put in cabin luggage and not used while taking off(Image: Getty Images)
Power Bank Flight Rules: What You Need to Know
Airlines have issued strict warnings to passengers about packing power banks and electrical items in hold baggage due to serious safety concerns.
Some carriers including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Emirates have completely banned power banks, while budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and TUI still permit them but only with tight restrictions.
According to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety experts, lithium batteries pose a danger on planes primarily due to their potential to enter “thermal runaway,” a phenomenon where a battery experiences a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature, resulting in fire, explosion, and the release of toxic fumes.
Ryanair allows up to 15 personal electronic devices but requires spare batteries to be individually protected in original packaging or with taped terminals. Power banks must be stored under seats, not in overhead lockers, and cannot exceed 100Wh.
EasyJet strictly bans all lithium batteries from hold luggage and requires power banks under 100Wh to be carried in cabin baggage only. Those between 100-160Wh need airline authorisation.
TUI forbids loose lithium batteries in checked luggage and caps power bank capacity at 100Wh, with terminals safeguarded against short circuits.
The new rules reflect growing concerns about battery fires mid-flight, with some airlines now prohibiting the use of power banks during flights entirely.
