Would-be tourists forced to cancel vacations amid COVID-19 pandemic are now ordering AIRLINE FOOD to help replicate their missed holidays - with one company selling more than 40,000 excess Jet Blue snack packs

The COVID-19 pandemic has grounded hundreds of thousands of Americans who were set to jet off on international vacations this summer. 

And while most are hoping to reschedule as soon as possible, a number of would-be-travelers are making sure they still get a taste of their cancelled trips. 

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, people across the country have been ordering airline food in order to replicate one part of the journey they are now missing out on.  

Meals served up on long-haul flights are usually the bane of a tourist's existence, with the pre-packaging offerings often described as bland and tasteless. 

But they have been of surprising comfort to Michigan woman America Edwards and her parents, who were forced to cancel a vacation to Australia. 

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According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, people across the country have been ordering airline food in order to replicate holidays they have been forced to cancel amid the COVID-19 pandemic 

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Michigan woman America Edwards ordered several JetBlue snack packs for her and her parents so they could replicated the experience of flying Down Under. 

Edwards, 23, ordered several JetBlue snack packs for her and her parents so they could replicate the experience of flying Down Under. 

'I thought it would be really fun to snag a couple and surprise my parents so that one day we could have cocktails, have the snack packs and kind of pretend that we were in Australia,' she stated. 

The trio tucked in to the pre-packaged cheese and crackers as they sat on their couch at home in Kalamazoo. 

'We were all talking about how we missed airports and airplanes. 

'Just bringing some of it into the house made us a little less stir crazy,' Edwards stated. 

But her family aren't the only ones  ordering JetBlue snack packs. 

According to The Wall Street Journal  40,000 snack packs that were originally supposed to be supplied to JetBlue have now been sold by the company Imperfect Foods. 

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International airline travel has dropped dramatically since the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic back in March 

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In Australia - where citizens are currently prohibited from leaving the country on vacation - those with wanderlust are turning to Gate Gourmet for a plane food fix. One of the meals is pictured 

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While some are enjoying the experience of pretending they're on a long-haul flight, others say they are simply easy prepared meals they can put into the microwave and serve up for a quick lunch. A Gate Gourmet meal is pictured 

Vermont-based Isaac Krasny, 31, says he bought some of the JetBlue snack packs for their 'novelty value'. 

He also claimed he flew frequently with the airline when he was younger, and that nostalgia was a part of their appeal. 

Meanwhile, it's not just American travelers that have been indulging in the quirky culinary activity. 

In Australia - where citizens are currently prohibited from leaving the country on vacation - those with wanderlust are turning to Gate Gourmet for a plane food fix. 

Gate Gourmet is one of the world's biggest airline catering companies and has been supplying meals to international airlines flying to and from Australia since 2002.

But the supplier has opened its doors to the public in the midst of COVID-19, with customers now able to order an assortment of economy class meals, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. 

While some are enjoying the experience of pretending they're on a long-haul flight, others say they are simply easy prepared meals they can put into the microwave and serve up for a quick lunch. 

'It's a fantastic offer - I've bought 20 meals for $50AUD ($35 USD). Great to keep in the freezer for a quick lunch or alternative to a takeout dinner. And helps support the tourism industry,' one woman said in a Facebook group. 

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Some of those with wanderlust order the Gate Gourmet meals and put them onto a plate to make a quick and affordable dinner