- Mr Plane Guy
- Oct 15, 2024
- 7 min read
TUI Long Haul 787 In-Flight Meals Menu Long Haul Review
By Flight Expert Mr Plane Guy
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When it comes to UK-based airlines, TUI stands out for its long haul 787 flights to popular destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico. Offering a blend of affordability and convenience usually packaged with a hotel and sold to leisure holiday makers. They do have some cracking flight only late deals though! Do check out my review dreamliner tui here.
TUI has become a go-to choice for traveler's seeking sun-soaked Caribbean sunshine I had the opportunity to experience a TUI long haul flight firsthand, and I’m here to share what I ate during the journey let’s dive into my culinary adventure aboard the TUI 787!
Around two hours into my TUI economy long haul 787 flight, dinner was served. I had the mushroom provincial pasta, and to be honest, it wasn’t too bad!
However, as a former airline employee, I couldn’t help but notice several cutbacks on this flight that clearly seemed part of a cost-saving strategy. Here’s what I observed during my TUI flight review:
No salt and pepper: Missing from the cutlery.
No snacks with drinks: No pretzels or nibbles offered.
No starter: Just the main meal on the tray
Cheese and crackers: But no butter to accompany them.
No bread roll: A simple addition that could elevate the meal.
The meal felt basic, it was literally what we’d call a "hot bit" or entrée in airline lingo. It was just a simple serving of pasta.
Cheese, a plastic fork and knife, and a tiny pudding.
Fancy a little pre-flight upgrade before your TUI long-haul? Here’s something that might make your airport experience much nicer…......
Certainly, nothing fancy on TUI! It’s a far cry from the days of Britannia Royal Service (for those of you in your 40s who might remember?). The influence of low-cost airlines and global economic changes have shifted consumer expectations since the 1990s, and it’s clear in this TUI long haul 787 experience.
A few hours later, another drink round was offered, and two hours before landing, we were served an egg roll with a chocolate brownie, plus tea or coffee. Not the most spectacular flight I’ve had, but at least we arrived safely!
Drinks onboard TUI 787 Long haul flights
Drinks are complimentary on TUI Long haul flights. YAY, but they are only given out 2 or 3 times on a flight no more than this for economy. You cant go to the galley and ask for them or purchase them. However you probably do get a few more in premium. I kind of like this concept, 2 or 3 drinks on a 8 or 9 hour flight are enough. I don't like the idea of my fellow passengers drinking and drinking on a flight. Every time I log on to social media these days there is a new viral star being dragged off a diverted jet!
Combine that with drinks at the airport and this is enough to control airline safety.
The Food on the Inbound Flight from the Caribbean to the UK
On the return leg, a crew member dropped off my vegetarian meal right before serving everyone else. Unfortunately, it had meat in it! TUI you had one job!
🚨 TUI Long-Haul Flights Update (November 2026)
Travelling on a TUI long-haul flight after 1 November 2026? TUI has updated its onboard drinks policy for Economy passengers. Here's everything you need to know before you fly.
What's changing on TUI long-haul flights?
From 1 November 2026, passengers travelling in Economy on TUI long-haul flights will continue to receive complimentary soft drinks throughout the flight, but there are some changes to alcoholic drinks.
You'll still receive:
🥤 Complimentary soft drinks, fruit juice and water throughout the flight.
🍺 One complimentary beer or glass of wine served with your main meal.
☕ Tea or coffee after your meal.
What's changing?
After your complimentary drink with your meal, any additional alcoholic drinks will need to be purchased from the onboard menu.
Already booked?
If you booked your holiday before this policy was announced, TUI has confirmed it will automatically provide a £12.50 goodwill payment per adult, each way (up to £25 per adult on a return holiday).
You don't need to do anything, the payment will be applied automatically for eligible bookings.
What isn't changing?
The following remain exactly the same:
✔️ Premium cabin passengers will continue to receive complimentary drinks throughout the flight.
✔️ Inflight entertainment.
✔️ TUI baggage allowances.
✔️ Complimentary soft drinks for Economy passengers.
Then, an hour and a half before landing, the lights were turned on full blast to reveal what can only be described as a pathetic excuse for breakfast: four cubes of melon and a glass of orange juice. Seriously, TUI? How hard is it to throw in a croissant or a Danish?
By this point, I hadn’t eaten anything substantial on the flight and felt hangry and tired upon landing. Thankfully, I had the foresight to grab a slice of margarita pizza at Aruba airport, though it set me back nearly £15!
You should follow me, I'm quite funny FYI
A few days later, I decided to reach out to TUI about the disappointing catering. I had paid several thousand pounds for my partner and I to have a memorable holiday.
Did they not know who I am? With over 2,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel, I thought they might take my feedback seriously. Instead, I received a generic response that seemed to say, “Thanks for your feedback, but we really don’t care.”
It was clear that passengers primarily choose their flights based on cost rather than the quality of in-flight meals.
So, if you're planning a TUI long haul 787 flight, prepare for the worst. Bring your own snacks and consider eating at the airport before you board! TUI offers some great value long haul fares, but with that comes a noticeable dip in onboard service. Don't forget to check out my Tui dreamliner reviews here.
Standard memberships usually cost £69. With the current discount, they start from £48.
Priority Pass gives you entry to over 1,800+ airport lounges worldwide, including of course Manchester Airport and Aspire Lounge in terminal 1.
Also you may like to see my full review: TUI 787 Long Haul Flight!
Don't ask about my suitcase!
TUI Delay Tips
Have you been delayed by TUI? Are you flying with them soon? If you're delayed don't forget to save screen shots of any departure screens, app updated, receipts for expenses, make a note of the times.
According to Which, this is a list of airlines by their longest average delays.
Thats right TUI are second!
Wizz Air 46 minutes and 18 seconds
TUI 40 minutes and 18 seconds
Qatar Airways 31 minutes and 48 seconds
Turkish Airlines 29 minutes and 30 seconds
Pegasus Airlines 27 minutes and 18 seconds
The now defunct airline Flybe
Tap Air Portugal 25 minutes and 48 seconds
Air Canada 25 minutes and 18 seconds
British Airways 23 minutes
Vueling 22 minutes and 12 seconds
You could be owed up to 600 Euros per person!
AirHelp will help you make any claim and make it super easy to get any flight delay money back.
1. Take Receipts
As soon as you see a delay:
Document Everything: Take screenshots of the departure board and note the times—every minute counts!
Expenses: Keep receipts for any expenses at the airport and scan them into your phone.
Communication: Note what the airline staff say about the delay, including who you spoke to and when. Airlines often cite "extraordinary circumstances" to avoid compensating, so detailed records are essential.
2. Be Prepared
Always be ready for things to go wrong:
Snacks: Pack extra snacks to keep hunger at bay.
Medications: Ensure you have extra medication if needed.
For Kids: Bring additional activities, blankets, charged power banks, and nappies if traveling with children.
3. Know Your Rights
According to EU regulation 261/2004, if your flight is delayed by over 3 hours, cancelled, overbooked, or if you're denied boarding, you may be entitled to compensation. This regulation applies to flights departing from or arriving in EU countries, as well as some others like Turkey.
With Airhelp it's easy and hassle-free, they handle your entire claim, from kick off to compensation.
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading TUI Long Haul 787 In-Flight Meals Menu Long Haul Review : Dining in the Sky.
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