Flying with children can be, for lack of a better word, tense.

They may become bored, scared, overexcited, overtired, hungry, or all of the above. All of these in-flight hiccups can be avoided with careful planning and a backpack full of activities and snacks, but you may be caught off guard if mealtime arrives and the airline serves something your picky eater dislikes.

Fortunately, airlines are well aware that children can be picky about food and many offer kid-friendly in-flight snacks and child meals. According to the Los Angeles Times, in the 1990s, United Airlines served McDonald’s “Friendly Skies Meals,” which were similar to Happy Meals and included items such as cheeseburgers, cookies, and a toy.

In other “happy” news, United Airlines announced Wednesday that it is trying to introduce in-flight kids meals, which were discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Wednesday, the meals will be available on flights over 2,000 miles that offer complimentary meal service. Kids will lick their lips for dishes like French toast with sausage, fruit, and a croissant for breakfast. Kids’ favorites like chicken tenders, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, dinner rolls, and desserts will be available for lunch and dinner.

United’s children’s meals are currently only available upon request, but they will be available for preorder in eligible cabins on select flights beginning in 2023. In the United app, you can add the request for “Children’s Special Meals” to an existing reservation or a new booking.

When it comes to kid-friendly food options, each airline is unique. Here’s what kids can expect on other major airlines.

Here’s a list of airlines that serve them :

Air France

On most intercontinental, long-haul flights, Air France provides specially prepared meals for children and infants. For lunch or dinner, children aged 2 to 8 will automatically receive the child’s meal, which includes salad, a main course such as chicken and pasta with cheese, a pastry, apple juice, cheese and crackers, fruit compote, and a dessert. Children will receive two mini pastries, a yogurt drink or fruit juice, a compote, milk, and cereal for breakfast.

Children aged 9 to 11 can still have this meal, but you must request it at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure.

Parents with infants aged 0 to 23 months can request baby cookies or jarred baby food up to 48 hours before their flight, but the airline recommends bringing your own baby food and/or bottles to ensure you have enough for the duration of the flight.

Alaska Airlines

There are no complimentary meals in Alaska Airlines’ main and premium-class cabins, but there are a variety of meals and snacks available for purchase on most flights over 783 miles. The Kid’s Choice Picnic Pack ($7.50) includes snacks such as white cheddar puffs, turkey jerky, applesauce, a granola bar, gummy bears, and a small toy to keep them entertained after they finish their meal. These, as well as other in-flight meals, can be ordered online between two weeks and 20 hours before your flight.

First-class tickets include complimentary meals. While there is no meal specifically designed for children, there are numerous options to choose from when you preorder, so you should be able to satisfy your child. At the very least, Alaska’s signature fruit and cheese platter should suffice.

Allegiant

Allegiant, like other ultra-low-cost carriers, offers a “bare bones” in-flight experience. You must pay if you want to select your own seat, bring a carry-on bag, or have flight attendants serve you a drink and a snack.

On select flights, the airline sells snack and drink packs, including the cleverly named Deluxe Wingz Kids Snack Pack ($10), which includes white cheddar puffs, turkey jerky, apple sauce, fruit snacks, and cookies.

American Airlines

On select flights, American Airlines provides a variety of special meals, including a wellness menu. Child meals are available on most international flights for all fare classes and include “foods that appeal to kids age 2 to 5,” according to the airline’s website, though anyone can order this meal type. Baby meals are also available, which include jarred baby food. Both types of meals must be preordered online or by phone at least 24 hours before departure.

British Airways

British Airways provides meals for children and babies on long-haul flights and has a “Feed Kids First” policy that ensures your children’s food arrives on time so you can eat in peace. Meals must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance of your flight. Child meals can include things like pasta, chicken, sandwiches, veggie sticks, fruit and snacks like chips, raisins or a small chocolate bar.

Although jarred baby food is available on long-haul flights, the airline recommends that you bring your own.

Hawaiian Airlines

On most international flights, Hawaiian Airlines provides complimentary child meals in both business class and the main cabin. Meals must be requested at least 48 hours before departure by calling the reservations department.

KLM

KLM, like its Flying Blue partner airline, Air France, does not skimp on tasty meals for children. Kids ages 2 and up can get a fun, travel-themed meal box with kid-approved foods like pasta or a hamburger and fries on all intercontinental flights. Meals should be booked online at least 24 hours before departure.

Lufthansa

TPG has previously lauded Lufthansa’s children’s menus, and for good reason. The airline collaborated with top chef Alexander Herrmann to create visually appealing meals that taste delicious and provide the balanced nutrition that children require. The complimentary meals are available on select flights for children aged 2 and up and must be ordered at least 24 hours before departure.

Baby-appropriate foods such as jarred food, mini Vienna sausages, and soups are also available and do not require advance reservations.

Spirit Airlines

Given that almost everything other than your ticket is considered an add-on by Spirit Airlines, it should come as no surprise that onboard food and drinks are not complimentary. However, it does offer a $5.50 Kids Snack Box on the in-flight menu, which includes cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, candy, and a hand sanitizing wipe to deal with post-snack sticky hands.

Bottom line

If your flight does not provide child meals, make sure to bring plenty of snacks and drinks for your child. However, just because an airline does not provide child-specific meals does not mean you are completely out of luck. Most airlines have a diverse menu, and your child’s favorite foods (or at least a few they’ll tolerate) may be available. We believe they’d enjoy these TPG-tested and TPG-approved best hamburgers in the sky.