However, can you blame the airlines? Raising prices is simply matching supply with demand. If you visit a motorway service station, prices are almost on a par with on board an aeroplane, except that onboard a flight, supply is even more limited. At least on a service station, there are multiple outlets where hunger/thirst can be satisfied, as well as more possibility just a few minutes drive away; not so on a plane.
The answer if you disagree with it, is simply not to buy anything. The net result if no-one buys is that prices will drop.
But until then, profit maximisation is what they are aiming at. Consider this example, for a cup of coffee:
Price = £1/cup; sales = 90 cups.
Price = £3/cup: sales = 30 cups.
Here , the turnover (£90) is exactly the same – but profit is much higher in the second scenario. As well as this, there are the latent benefits – less staff time required to serve drinks, less stock required to be taken on board, less rubbish generated.
With the average flight being 1-2 hours, there would not be many reasons to purchase food or drink on board. Especially if you’re flying on the very cheapest ticket, a spend on something to eat or drink can easily double your ticket cost.
With a bit of forward thinking, you could save yourself a lot of cash. Food is pretty easy to cater for. You’re not planning a full-blown meal, but rather something inbetween. Muesli bars, sweets, biscuits, are all going to fill the gap. Watch out for chocolate if it’s warm, because it will melt. You can purchase a sandwich in advance and bring this on too, but it may be vunerable to being squashed. On the outward leg, this is very easy to arrange from home.
Liquid is more difficult because of the security regulations (that you cannot take more than 100mls in any one container). I believe there are no (non-alcholic) drinks that come in under 100mls servings. Decanting a drink into containers is probably more hassle than it is worth, although it would be the ultimate in cheapness. The only options are to make sure you are well hydrated before security, or purchase a drink after it. Alternatively, fruits are high in liquid and are permissible on-board.
Need a pre-paid card to dodge Ryanair fees? We’ve teamed up with FairFX to offer you their anywhere card – get one for FREE (usually £9.95 for loading under £500). Any currency – anywhere – it’s ideal for everyone.
Related posts:
