Couple Realize Mistake on 10-Hour Plane After Only Flying Budget Airlines

A couple who had only ever flown short-haul before realized they had made a little mistake soon after boarding their 10-hour flight.
Lisa May and her boyfriend were traveling from London to Saudi Arabia, before continuing to Indonesia. They decided to bring their own food as they didn’t realize they would be well fed on the plane.
May, from the U.K., told Newsweek: “We booked the two connecting flights months ago and thought we only got fed on the second one hence the packed lunch.”
More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Best Rewards Credit Cards for Travel
The moment they realized their error was captured by May, who posted the video to TikTok under the handle @lifewithlisa8, where it has gained 193,000 views since being shared on September 21.
It shows a bag full of food and drinks, even though the couple were set to enjoy complimentary meals and refreshments on the 10-hour Saudia flight.
She told Newsweek: “This is both of our first long haul flights so it was very exciting and we thoroughly enjoyed the food provided, which was juice, fizzy drinks, tiramisu, rice and beef and veggie pasta.
More From Newsweek Vault: How to Travel on a Budget
“The fear we had half way through our flight when we momentarily thought ‘what if they charge all we had eaten to the card we booked the flights on?'”
And the complimentary airline food was greatly appreciated by the two passengers, as May noted: “A very extended and emotional goodbye with my very frantically worried Irish mum is what led to us not having breakfast and both being starving before we even got on the flight.”
More From Newsweek Vault: Which Airlines Have the Best (or Worst) Fees?
However, the pair’s stash of food later came in handy as their second flight eventually got canceled and rescheduled. May explained: “Our packed lunch we had grabbed on the way and partially in the airport did not go to waste.
“We had it when our flight was canceled and rescheduled in Jeddah Airport, so I guess lesson learned is to bring a lunch even if they are going to feed you on the plane! I never thought I’d be eating a pesto pasta, a tub of Pringles and an overpriced muffin from Pret at 3am in Saudi Airport but I guess there is a first for everything!”
In the viral video, May’s boyfriend can be seen giggling with a bag packed with drinks and snacks on the floor in front of them, with the text overlay saying: “You’re so used to your broke life with Ryanair that you forgot you didn’t need to bring a packed lunch for your 10-hour flight.”
Ryanair is an Irish airline that operates short-haul routes around Europe. In 2022, it was the second-most-popular low-cost carrier worldwide with 97 million passengers, beaten only by Southwest Airlines, according to Statista.
Statista says that the number of flights taken globally has increased steadily since the early 2000s, reaching 38.9 million in 2019, and it’s forecast to reach a new peak of 40.1 million in 2024.
The couple’s itinerary will account for two of those. The pair are leaving their busy city lives behind as they embark on a six-month trip traveling around Southeast Asia.
Backpacking has become a hugely popular choice for people around the world, particularly for younger generations. Popular destinations in Southeast Asia include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.
According to Statista, over 10 million people went on backpacking trips in the U.S. in 2021, compared to just over 7 million 10 years before.
TikTok users found the couple’s scenario amusing. One person, Kazinda M, commented: “I still take one. Airplane food is horrible.”
Laura simply commented: “hahah this is me.”
Meanwhile, @peeping_bee wrote: “love this, plus to be on the safe side, the food served might not be good or enough.” However, Lisa told Newsweek that the food was enjoyable.
Has a dream vacation turned into a nightmare? Whether it’s a missed flight or lost luggage, we want to hear about your travel disasters. Let us know via [email protected], and your story could be featured on Newsweek.