Feasting at 30,000 Feet: A Humorous Dive into Overpriced Airport Eats

I understand the unusual combination of renunciation and haste that comes with asking for food when there is a wait. A second unites travelers as a whole in silent fellowship and, often, in mutual skepticism regarding the advertised cost of their feast. Permit me to tell you a story that may seem very familiar. It involves a lengthy wait at SFO, a day-use hotel, and the decision to end the trip by indulging in what has to be described as the world’s most overrated BK Doozy Junior Dinner. Imagine spending twenty-six dollars on an essential meal that, if it were not for airport security, would hardly even register on your credit card. It’s absurd and strange, but unquestionably a part of advanced travel knowledge.

Sky-High Prices of Airport Food

Going to the airport always seems a bit like passing into an alternative dimension, where all ordinary laws of economy and common sense no longer apply. Here, fine dining is a basic meal, and choice has to be made between your wallet and peace of mind in the stomach. This is nothing that happens to one man only; it’s a ritual each traveler has to go through. Take the example of conservative columnist David Brooks, who came away from an airport meal recently at Newark Airport having parted with $78. That got him a burger, crinkle-cut fries, lettuce, tomato, and what must have been an alarmingly expensive pour of bourbon. The internet exploded in a flurry of wild speculation about the breakdown of these costs and if perhaps premium whiskey was the culprit.

Exploring the Expensive Quandary

For what reason are air terminal food varieties valued so cosmically? Crediting it to ravenousness or an enraptured crowd situation is simple. However, digging somewhat more profound uncovers a mind boggling snare of explanations for these out of this world costs. First off, those working restaurants inside air terminals aren’t simply any entrepreneurs; they’re occupants paying premium lease for their space, limited by arrangements that frequently incorporate a level of their deals returning to the air terminal. The expense of lease at air terminals like Portland Worldwide Air terminal can be over two times the normal business space lease outside, highlighting the strong monetary weight these merchants face.

Conveying food and supplies past the severe security checks of air terminals adds one more layer of cost. Providers, looking at the rewarding idea of air terminal organizations, may increase their costs, further blowing up the expense of that sandwich or salad you’re peering toward. Intensified by high worker turnover rates and the requirement for staff to go through trusted status, it’s no big surprise the costs we see are much of the time out of this world.

Information is power, and there are ways of exploring this expensive dilemma. Bringing your own food is a clear arrangement, in spite of the fact that fluids more than three ounces are an off limits. Investigating choices like getting to air terminal parlors through specific Mastercards can likewise offer respite, with free bites and beverages that relax the disaster for your wallet. Also, on the off chance that you’re stopping at the air terminal, consider administrations like The Parking space to save money on stopping expenses, opening up a greater amount of your spending plan for when yearning strikes.

“Airport food” by WordRidden is licensed under CC BY 2.0

It might be a little easier to swallow the pill when you know what’s behind the price tags. At least eating in an airport makes purchasing a burger less agonizing. The next time you find yourself having to pay a ridiculous amount for your preboard lunch, keep in mind that you are investing in a complex system that goes much beyond those terminal doors. And perhaps, just possibly, understanding this will facilitate a more effortless digestion of your meal. I wish you a pleasant journey and meals that are both delectable and slightly overpriced when traveling.