Almost everyone has faced it. You’re at the airport, your flight is delayed, and hunger strikes. You walk into a café or grab a sandwich, and suddenly, the bill makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally bought stock in the airline. Airport food always feels overpriced.
But why is it so expensive in the first place?
The “Airport Premium”
Airports are not like regular markets. Every shop or food outlet inside has to pay huge rent and licensing fees to operate there. The cost of simply being at the airport is much higher than being on a normal street. This extra cost is passed on to passengers.
In other words, you’re not just paying for the sandwich, you’re paying for the privilege of buying it inside the airport.
Funny part is that it was not always like this; at one point, airports felt like train stations, and the luxury experience only started once you were on the plane. However, airports wished to generate revenue, so they started using a pricing strategy called “street pricing plus”, which allows brands to charge 15% more than the original price to cover the additional operational cost. But the 15% is just on paper, as brands always go to skyrocketing price hikes due to an almost non-existent price cap.
Another big factor is security. Every item that enters the airport has to go through strict checks. From ingredients to packaging, everything moves through a more complicated supply chain. That means extra costs for suppliers and vendors.
Limited Competition At Airports
Unlike in a city, where a dozen cafés may compete to win you over, airports have only a few selected brands and they are too owned by the same company (almost all the time).
Less competition means less pressure to keep prices low. The sellers know passengers don’t have many options. If you’re hungry before a six-hour flight, you’ll likely pay whatever price is on the menu.
Why? Because once you’re inside, you’re stuck. You can’t leave to grab a quick meal outside without going through the hassle of security again, and the vendors know that.
They’re catering to “captive customers” who don’t have a choice. It’s the classic case of supply, demand, and circumstance.
There’s also a psychological angle. When people travel, they’re already spending a lot on tickets, luggage, and other expenses. In comparison, a $10 sandwich or $5 coffee may feel “normal,” even though you’d probably never pay that outside the airport.
Is It Ever Worth It?
Some airports try to justify the higher cost by offering better quality, global chains, or unique experiences. A bowl of ramen in Tokyo’s Narita Airport or a fresh croissant in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle may soften the blow. But more often than not, the taste doesn’t match the price tag, leaving passengers frustrated but still hungry enough to give in.
Until no one holds these outlets accountable, this may never change. So instead of complaining, maybe pack some of the snacks from home the next time you travel because businesses will always prioritise their own profit, even if it’s fair or not.
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