Why airports are so expensive
Airports rely on you spending money inside the terminal. In 2024, US airports generated over $1 billion of revenue from purchases like $6 bottled water, $27 beers, and $10 Chex Mix.
And airports are only getting more expensive. In the early 2000s, some tried to match the price of goods outside the airport. But today, many airports are raising or removing that limit. And there's little competition inside the terminal — much of the food and retail at the airport is operated by a few massive companies.
So how did airports become so expensive? And why are some raising prices even more?
Airports rely on you spending money inside the terminal. In 2024, US airports generated over $1 billion of revenue from purchases like $6 bottled water, $27 beers, and $10 Chex Mix.
And airports are only getting more expensive. In the early 2000s, some tried to match the price of goods outside the airport. But today, many airports are raising or removing that limit. And there's little competition inside the terminal — much of the food and retail at the airport is operated by a few massive companies.
So how did airports become so expensive? And why are some raising prices even more?