A Guide to Eating Vegan at U.S. Airports

Posted by Paige on March 15, 2024

Traveling for spring break or summer vacation? ✈️ It’s easy to include eating vegan in your travel plans! 😋 Here are some popular chain restaurants (along with their vegan offerings) often found in U.S. airports.

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Jamba Juice

If you’re in the mood for something healthy or quick between flights, this spot is for you! Jamba Juice offers a variety of vegan food and beverage options, including smoothies, fresh juice, and shots. Best of all, many of these items are labeled “plant-based” (or marked with an image of a leaf) and require no modifications to order vegan. Other items can be modified by removing honey or other animal-derived ingredients. 😏

Check out these animal-friendly options at Jamba Juice.

• Bowls: Acai Primo (without honey), Vanilla Blue Sky, and the Strawberry & Banana Granola Bowl Parfait With Cocowhip
• Food: Oatmeal (without honey) and the Sweet Pretzel
• Iced beverages: Gotcha Matcha and the Bold ’n Cold Brew With Sweet Cloud Whip
• Vegan smoothies: The Go Getter, Blueberry Strawberry Blast-Off, Strawberries Gone Bananas, Protein Berry Workout (Soy), and Apple ’n Greens

You can also refer to the Jamba Nutrition Spreadsheet to find other vegan-friendly menu items.

TGI Fridays

Are you in the mood for a burger? 🍔 TGI Fridays offers the Beyond Meat Cheeseburger, which can be made vegan by ordering it with no cheese or sauce and choosing the regular/challah bun (or going “green style” if you’d rather have a lettuce bun). You can also order the House Side Salad without cheese, croutons, or the breadstick. Sesame Citrus is the only vegan dressing offered, but you could always ask for salsa and avocado instead. You could also add the Beyond Burger to this option.

Subway

Since you can build your sub sandwich at Subway, eating vegan there is super-easy! 🥪

First, choose either Artisan Italian (white) or Hearty Multigrain bread. Then choose as many delicious veggies as you’d like and top off your sub with yellow mustard, oil blend, Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Sauce, or Red Wine Vinegar. 🥬🥒🥕 Select locations offer a veggie patty option that’s vegan as well. If you’d like a side, you can order applesauce or double-check the labels of the chips offered.

Panda Express

Panda Express is another great airport option. 😊🥡 To start, order the Veggie Spring Rolls. Order either the super greens or eggplant tofu for entrées, and select chow mein or brown or white rice for your sides.

Dunkin’

Need a caffeine pick-me-up before your flight? Thankfully, Dunkin’ has you covered. 😉☕ The chain offers oat and almond milk, so you can drink a delicious hot or iced latte while waiting at the airport. If you’re hungry, you can order avocado toast 🥑, a bagel (cinnamon raisin, everything, plain, or sesame seed) without cream cheese, or the yummy hash browns.

Eating vegan at popular restaurant chains has never been easier! 🌱 Check out our guide so you’ll never have to stress about finding the compassionate option.

Be Prepared

Make your traveling less stressful by searching for vegan options ahead of time so you’re prepared before you board or once you land. It’s always a good idea to check the airport website to see which food options are available in your terminal. If you want a quick snack, you can find nuts and vegan candy at the convenience stores within the airport. 🥜🍬 Also, most of these stores carry honey-free energy bars. (Many popular brands offer a wide variety of vegan flavors. Give Clif’s Chocolate Brownie, Blueberry Almond Crisp, and Cool Mint Chocolate bars a try.)

It’s easy to veganize most Mexican, Mediterranean, or Asian cuisine. Just look for the veggie option and be sure to remove any eggs, dairy, or other animal-derived ingredients. Veggie sushi, such as a cucumber or avocado roll, is another great option often available at airports.

Don’t want to pay airport prices? 💲 Plan ahead and bring along trail mix and other nutritious vegan snacks so you’re not hungry!

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Traveling is always a great time to take action for animals. 🐄🐖🐔🐟 Scrolling on your phone while you wait at the gate? Join peta2’s Rewards Program to take easy actions for animals every day. ❤️ Always remember to pack some leaflets when flying to leave in your terminal or in the back pocket of your airline seat.