Can you ask for more food in any Thai airlines if you are not full?

If you have ever been on a flight, chances are that their in-flight meals aren’t the most appetising thing that you ever come across, nor will the portion sizes leave you feeling full afterwards. But the burning question is can you ask for more food while on a flight on a Thai airline? In most cases, you definitely can!

A flight attendant has revealed that many flights often have unserved main dishes left over after their initial service. So if you’re still feeling a bit peckish, you could always try your chances of asking for more. The trick is to wait until the service is completed, then you could ask a flight attendant if there are any meals left.

Best foods on a Thai airline: a game of luck

You do need to keep in mind that availability typically varies from flight to flight as food is only prepared based on the expected amount of passengers. That number can change due to unexpected last-minute changes, ultimately making it a game of luck.

Another factor that you need to be mindful of is speciality meals and popular main courses. Any Thai airline has meals that cater to specific dietary requirements (e.g. vegan or gluten-free options) and main courses that are extremely sought-after, and oftentimes, they run out faster than others.

In less crowded flights, your chances of scoring an additional portion are even higher. While success is not guaranteed by any means, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Sometimes, a friendly request can yield surprising results. The key is to be courteous, flight attendants are always happy to help wherever they can.

If whatever you want is out of stock, chances are that they might help you find something else to quench your hunger.

Bangkok Airways stands out for its free lounge access for all passengers, even those flying in economy class. So if you feel that the in-flight offerings may not be enough, you can always snack up before boarding your flight.

Best seats on a Thai airline for food

A flight attendant for Cathay Pacific, Joyce Chan revealed the secrets. Your seat choice will significantly impact the meal options available to you because food service typically starts at the front of the cabin, meaning that the forward rows typically mean first dibs on meal choices.

The same rule is true for any meals on your upcoming Thai Airways flight. If meal selection is a major priority, you should consider booking seats closer to the front of the cabin for your next trip so that you don’t miss out on all the popular dishes.

Similarly with Bangkok Airways, if you find yourself in the back of the cabin and still hungry after a meal, don’t hesitate to let the flight crew know. Other than the complimentary meals on all Bangkok Airways flights, they also have a wide selection of snacks available that you can request during a flight.

BYO(S): Bring your own snacks

A travel expert, Melissa Leung reveals a simple walkaround to not stay hungry on a long flight. The secret? bring your own snacks. Just be careful of regulations and liquid restrictions or you’ll have your snacks snatched away from you!

Before embarking on your journey on a Thai airline, you’d be happy to know that your favourite solid food snacks such as protein bars, crisps, nuts, and sandwiches are generally safe to bring through airport security.

Leung also advises flyers to research their airline’s food offerings before deciding to book their flights. Planning in advance is crucial when it comes time to make the crucial decision of whether to bring your snacks or rely on the meals provided.

For any flights on a Thai airline, if you have any specific meal requests (dietary restrictions or asking for extra meals), you can pre-select flight meals starting 24 hours before the scheduled departure, if you are lifting off from Bangkok. For international flights departing from overseas locations, you can pre-select up to 48 hours beforehand.

This trend is often the same for all major airlines in Thailand including Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, and so on.

Science of taste at altitude

You’d be surprised to know that there is a science behind how food tastes at high altitudes. Charles Spence, an Oxford University psychologist reveals that foods which are rich in umami flavours such as cheese, mushrooms, and tomatoes tend to shine at high altitudes.

This also extends to wine, where Spence suggests sweeter varieties with fruity aromas as these wines perform better against cabin pressure and dry air.

Kitchen crew secrets

An aeroplane kitchen staff shared that flights usually have extra food onboard, however, you still need to keep in mind that the distribution of these extra offerings typically varies. On busier flights, you probably have better luck asking for small snacks as those tend to be more readily available.

Airlines like Thai AirAsia have a large stock of snacks on board, so if you are still hungry, you can always ask for some more. Additionally, you can also book snacks beforehand through their e-Catalogue.

During a flight in a Thai airline, while it’s not common practice to request additional food during the flight beyond what is typically served, it’s always worth a try if your stomach is rumbling. Because who knows, there might be some left over, and you’ll never know if you never ask.

But remember, whether you are looking for an extra food portion, or some extra snacks to chew on, a little research and prior planning goes a long way. Be sure to plan your seats strategically and bring some extra snacks if need be. If all else fails, just know that there is no trouble in asking nicely, the staff are always there to help you.