Snack boxes in Travel
posted 27th May 2025
In the evolving landscape of travel, snack boxes have emerged as a convenient and enjoyable solution for on-the-go nourishment. From airlines to trains, and even long-distance bus routes, these curated collections of treats not only satisfy hunger but also present a unique avenue for food and beverage (F&B) brands to reach a diverse and captive audience. Let’s explore the world of travel snack boxes and why they’re a growing opportunity for brands.
What Are Snack Boxes?
Snack boxes are pre-packaged assortments of ambient food items designed for easy consumption during travel. They offer a neat, appealing way to deliver snacks without the need for full meal service—ideal for short-haul flights, budget carriers, or any scenario where convenience and efficiency are paramount.
Increasingly, snack boxes are being adopted across different travel formats—from free-of-charge (FOC) giveaways on premium long-haul carriers to compact, buy-on-board models designed for space optimisation.
Types of Snack Boxes in Travel
Airline Snack Boxes
Airlines have embraced snack boxes to streamline service and elevate the onboard experience. Some offer them as complimentary items, while others integrate them into their buy-on-board menus. For example, United Airlines has offered snack boxes featuring premium items like dark chocolate sea salt crisps and fruit bars.
Train and Rail Services
Train operators, particularly in Europe and Asia, offer snack boxes to first-class passengers or those on longer routes. Often themed around local, organic, or premium produce, they offer sustenance while reflecting regional flavours.
Pre-Packaged Snack Bags for Easy Service
Innovative formats—such as MileOne Group’s “snack box in a bag”—allow cabin crew to distribute snacks quickly and with minimal disruption. On easyJet, this solution is used specifically for children, creating a gift-like experience that kids can also take home. These bagged boxes can also be hung on seat hooks, letting sleeping passengers enjoy them later.
What Goes Into a Snack Box?
The contents of snack boxes vary depending on the type of box—for example, gluten-free, kids', or tapas boxes—as well as the route and passenger profile, but typically include:
- Savory Snacks: Crackers, cheese bites, nuts, or pretzels.
- Sweet Treats: Cookies, chocolates, fruit bars, or candy.
- Health-Conscious Items: Protein bars, dried fruits, veggie chips.
- Drinks (optional): Juice boxes, bottled water, or even premium options like coffee sachets or mini wines in first-class.
Passenger Popularity
Snack boxes are well received by travellers for several reasons:
- Convenience: All-in-one packs reduce service touchpoints
- Variety: Multiple textures and flavours enhance enjoyment
- Perceived Value: Snack boxes are often viewed as a treat or upgrade
Airlines and train operators regularly report high sales from buy-on-board options, and FOC boxes—especially premium or limited-edition formats—are known to generate positive feedback and strong uptake.
Spotlight: Jacq Out the Box
The UK’s leading supplier of ambient snack boxes to the travel sector, Jacq Out the Box has recently expanded its offering on Jet2 to include a beautifully compact Afternoon Tea box. This product joins a growing portfolio available across easyJet, TUI, Ryanair and expanding into train networks, Europe and beyond.
By positioning their curated snack boxes in front of millions of leisure travellers, Jacq Out the Box demonstrates how emerging F&B brands can scale effectively within the travel channel. These partnerships embed products into memorable, indulgent travel moments—experiences that traditional retail or e-commerce can rarely replicate.
Why Size—and Structure—Matters
The demand for smaller snack boxes is growing, particularly in the FOC sector. MileOne Group recently launched a Mini Savoury Snack Box on board BA CityFlyer, offered free to all passengers. This shift towards compact sizing impacts the entire supply chain—from product sourcing and caterer pallet counts to onboard trolley space.
Efficient design is crucial. Boxes must:
- Use cardboard with the appropriate gsm (grams per square metre)—a measure of the board’s weight and thickness. If the gsm is too low, the box may collapse or fail to protect its contents. Too high, and the cabin crew will struggle to fold or crush it after use. The right balance ensures the packaging is easy to dispose of, speeds up cabin clean-up, and helps minimise the space it occupies in on-board waste bins.
- Stack neatly, enabling quick clean-ups and reducing galley clutter
- Fit within space-constrained trolleys and service carts
Such considerations are now as essential as the snacks themselves.
Sustainability at Scale
As snack box volumes grow, traditional recycling is no longer enough. Given that ambient snack boxes are non-rotational and single-use, the environmental credentials of packaging materials matter more than ever.
Why This Matters for F&B Brands
For food and beverage brands, travel snack boxes offer more than distribution—they’re a powerful marketing channel:
Brand Exposure to Captive Audiences: Travellers are an attentive, low-distraction audience
Sampling at Scale: Snack boxes offer a low-risk, high-impact way to trial new products
Data & Insights: Airlines and train operators can provide valuable metrics on uptake and preferences
Premium Alignment: Being featured in a curated snack box enhances brand perception and desirability.
Snack boxes are more than a passing trend—they’re a scalable, proven format that serves both traveller and brand. As global travel rebounds and expectations rise for convenient, high-quality food, the snack box is poised to become a permanent fixture of the onboard experience.
With innovation in packaging, sizing, and sustainable sourcing, snack boxes are redefining inflight and rail dining—one bite at a time.
