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A video of a woman who brought an entire rotisserie chicken in her bag to eat on a flight has gone viral on TikTok.
The clip, shared by Chloé Gray (@chloe.ggray), who is based in Manhattan, has racked up over 453,000 views since being posted on May 2.
In the video, Gray appears in an airport setting, facing the camera as she explains her recent interaction with an airport official. "I just got pulled aside by TSA [Transportation Security Administration] for having 'something crazy' in my bag," she says in the clip. "But I told her [the TSA agent] this is how you give yourself a first-class experience without paying for first class."
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Moments later, she holds up a fully cooked whole rotisserie chicken in a sealed bag, which cost between $12 and $14, Gray told Newsweek.
She explains in the clip: "I gotta get protein on my flight. I hate buying airport food, so I usually try to pack a salad or something...I didn't have time, so I thought 'let me just get a whole chicken from Whole Foods [the grocery store chain]' and this is going to hold me over for the entire day pretty much."
"I was traveling from Newark to SFO [San Francisco International Airport] then connecting to John Wayne [an airport in Orange County, California]. So, a total of nine hours of travel. I sat in economy," Gray told Newsweek.
She added: "This time I opted for the organic Whole Foods rotissy [rotisserie chicken] because I was in a pinch heading to the airport. I could quickly grab one off the shelf and head to checkout and wanted organic high-quality protein that would keep me satiated until I landed."
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The viral post arrives as the in-flight catering market experiences steady growth. The industry, valued at $16.01 billion in 2022, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9 percent through 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research, a market research firm headquartered in San Francisco.
The report highlights an increasing demand for ready-to-eat meals on flights. Airlines "benchmark themselves against the competition by establishing a decent price range for on-board meals," the report said.
'Legend' Vs. 'Diabolical'
In a caption on the video, Gray summed up her approach to travel dining. "One thing about me is I'm going to have a culinary experience regardless of the setting."
Gray's unconventional carry-on meal was not just about sustenance—it was also convenience. "It does help that the packaging is very light," she said. "Once done with the rotissy, it's easily discardable—not something you can do if you travel with Tupperware [a storage container brand], which is bulky and would take up space in a carry on."
She also made it a point not to inconvenience the crew. "I did not ask the flight staff to heat up the bag of chicken," she told Newsweek. "I respect that they are there to ensure the safety of the passengers, so I ate it at room temperature." She did, however, ask for cutlery before remembering she had brought her own.
"The flight attendant did see that I had a chicken with me and she did not seem the least bit surprised or disturbed by it," Gray added. "I think that passengers walking by were shocked but were impressed by my creativity in bringing a chicken on the flight to eat. The people seated directly in my row were asleep soon after take-off, so I don't think they noticed I was eating an entire chicken."
Gray's flight meal preparation extended beyond the chicken. "I had a few other snacks with me. Electrolytes to stay hydrated, ranch flavored cashews from Trader Joe's, radishes and cucumbers to balance the meal. I brought lemon wedges and olive oil to dress my chicken and of course, Himalayan sea salt and cracked black pepper. I know how to prepare a bird, even if I didn't cook it myself."
Her elaborate in-flight meal is part of a larger philosophy of self-care while traveling. "Although I can't replicate a bowl of warm nuts that is typically served in first class, a similar experience is well-seasoned nuts, which is what I always travel with. Think truffle almonds, buffalo cashews etc. If I'm traveling internationally, I will bring something from my local destination just in case I don't like the food served in flight."
The video prompted a wide range of reactions online, with several praising the passenger's unusual move. Gray told Newsweek TikTok users "loved where my head was at and that they couldn't believe they had never thought to do it."
Shant_Sugar said "You're a legend" and @nicole_rayne60 said "Thank you for this travel hack." Helloarantxa wrote: "Hahaha I'd 100 percent would do that! I hateee plane/airport food!"
Not all feedback was positive, with several criticizing the smell the food may have caused. User carly dougherty said: "Nooo the strong smell on the flight is diabolical."
User megan said: "Someone sitting next to me on a plane pulling out a rotisserie chicken would be my last straw." On Bisan's Internet wrote: "hot meat in a small enclosed environment is like a social contract violation."
"No one in real life had anything negative to say," Gray said, noting, "I think I inspired some passengers and viewers online to get creative with what healthy meals/snacks they bring on their next flight."
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