We all are lured in by the low airfare prices, but realize that the all-in cost may not be as low as we anticipated once we factor in the luggage fees and seat selection costs. One part of the finances for many budget airlines that we do not think a lot about is their food. Of course, this represents a meaningful part of their revenue.
Recently, Kayak conducted a survey examining the price of in-flight refreshments offered by budget airlines in the United Kingdom. Their survey identified the airlines mark up prices hundreds, to even thousands of percent in order to make money off their passengers.
The item that was marked up the most? A sachet for instant soup! The cost at a grocery store is approximately $0.17, but could be purchased for $3.60 on a Flybe flight. This means that the consumer would have paid a 1800% mark up! The Kayak survey goes on to point out Ryanair as a particularly bad culprit. On Ryanair, the mark up for water was over 1300%! Of course the airlines realize that airline passengers are a captive audience when they are in flight.
It is important to see that many of the prices that Kayak used to compare airline prices with are bulk pricing, which is unlikely to be how the average passenger travels. Even if I could, I definitely would not bring a 24-pack of water bottles when I fly!
What are some examples you have experienced of being price gouged while flying?
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