It’s a classic case of Catch 22: almost all airlines on short-haul routes long ago stopped serving complimentary food. However, buying a meal at airports before you fly can cost an arm and a leg.
Our study of three major food outlets in Stansted – Pret a Manger, Leon and Itsu – found that prices can increase by up to 42 per cent compared to high street branches. Overall, prices for a basket of offerings rose by a fifth.
The biggest increase was for a Pain au Chocolat at León (from £2.10 to £2.99 (a 42 per cent increase), while a baguette with cheddar and pickles at Pret sold for £4.50 at the high street and £6.20 at Stansted (up 37 per cent) and its chicken and bacon Caesar baguette, £7.20 instead of £5.99 (up 20 per cent).
Other big price increases came at Itsu, where its Itsu Classics set, which includes sashimi, salmon, prawn sushi, wasabi and soy sauce, sells for £11.99 at Stansted, while the same product costs £8 .95 on the main street, a third more. Meanwhile, its lemon-flavoured Zen Water was £2.49 a can, compared to £1.99 at other non-airport stores.
However, fast food chain León was found to be increasing prices more consistently, averaging more than a quarter on a basket of items including its Pains au Chocolat, butter croissants (an increase of 39 percent). per cent from £2 to £2.79) and signature turmeric honey, banana and bee pollen yoghurts (up 33 per cent from £2.99 to £3.99).
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: ‘Margins in airport shops, cafes and restaurants can be truly shocking.
Our study of three major food outlets in Stansted – Pret a Manger, Leon and Itsu – has found that prices can increase by up to 42 per cent compared to high street branches.
“Once passengers are in the air, they are essentially a captive audience, but it is outrageous that companies think they can get away with such blatant price increases.”
Rising food costs on airport and airplane tram services have pushed more and more travelers to pack picnics.
Boland said, “Fortunately, with a little advance planning, it’s possible to avoid rip-off prices and get the satisfaction of knowing you won’t have to hand over your hard-earned money for an overpriced snack.”
“Many foods can be passed through security, so whether you make a sandwich or buy one at the supermarket, you’ll probably save – just leave liquids larger than 100ml at home.”
Almost all airports have abundant drinking fountains for filling water bottles, making dining on planes easier than ever while keeping costs down. Food retailers argue that higher rent and labor costs at airports drive up prices.
Other big price increases came at Itsu, where its Itsu Classics set, which includes sashimi, salmon, prawn sushi, wasabi and soy sauce, is selling for £11.99 at Stansted (pictured).
They also say that maintenance costs are higher and that logistics and distribution are more expensive. A Pret spokesperson said: ‘Like all companies operating at airports, we are facing higher rents and running costs due to longer trading hours and night shifts.
‘Our food is freshly handmade every day in our kitchens within the airports, while some companies manufacture their food elsewhere. We always try to absorb these costs as much as possible, but it means there are some price differences in our airport stores.’
Not all fast food outlets and cafes in Stansted raise prices. Prices at popular chain Joe & The Juice were identical to their high street branches when Escape checked.
At WH Smith, a Coca-Cola (500ml) was 16 per cent more expensive on the high street and a tea 4 per cent more expensive, but the other prices were identical.
The Daily Mail’s holiday guru said: ‘Pack a picnic. There is no shame in bringing food on a plane. With prices this high, it’s a surprise more people don’t do it.”
Itsu and Leon were contacted but did not respond.