Long-haul flightsaren't always the most enjoyable, and the one element that can truly make or break your journey is the meal you're served onboard. Historically, plane food had a terrible reputation, but standards have improved and there are some really tasty choices available today.

However, one flight attendant with years of experience has revealed the reason why she usually brings her own snacks on the plane. Kamila Jakubjakova, a flight attendant for over three years, spoke to the travel experts at eShores to share some of her top tips for flying.

She says there's a reason why food tastes different on a plane, and it's not what you think.

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When you're tucking into a meal on a plane, there's a good reason it's been salted far more heavily than it ought to be - but you might not even realise that this is the case, reports the Express.

Kamila explained: "Due to different air pressure and dry air inside the airplane, our sense of smell reduces roughly by 20%, and so does the sensitivity of our taste buds, making the food taste blander. Therefore, the aircraft food is often oversalted. For this reason, I prefer to bring my own snacks when I fly."

According to the health experts at Equinox, this additional sodium could be the cause of another significant problem for passengers - the post-flight bloat. They said: "In an airplane's dry conditions, eating too much salt is more likely to cause bloating and dehydration."

Salt and sweetness take the biggest hit when we're cruising at 30,000 feet. Interestingly, umami flavours hold their own up there – and can actually taste even better.

That's why tomato juice and other umami-packed options feature heavily on airline menus, as they're far less prone to tasting watery or disappointing.

If you want to fight back against dulled taste buds mid-flight, keeping yourself properly hydrated is crucial. Travel gurus at Akbar Travels say this keeps your mouth and nose moist, allowing food to break down properly and deliver maximum flavour.

Though it might be tempting while airborne, steering clear of caffeine and alcohol can really help, since both are dehydrating anyway – and this is particularly problematic when flying.

And when faced with the meal trolley, go for curries, tomato-heavy dishes and Asian cuisine, which typically stand up far better to the altitude challenge.