Food for thought - but you knew this anyway

[F@tBoyF@t]

In-flight Shopping: The Shocking Stats

Wednesday September 5, 2012
Source Airjetnews Sept2012

We love to think of ourselves as savvy shoppers, seeking out great deals on our family holidays, flights and weekends away. Yet what is it about on-board food and drink that gets us reaching for our wallets and handbags with no care or consideration for the cost?

We recently conducted an extensive survey into the cost of on-board food and drink with the nation’s favourite airlines. We checked out the deals on offer for low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair, full service airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and holiday airlines including Thomson Airways and Thomas Cook.

The shocking results revealed mark-ups on items in the catering trolley compared to the high street are sky high. Just take a look at some of these to give you food for thought;

* 1,083 per cent mark up on a 500ml bottle of water with Ryanair

* 1,036 per cent mark up on a flapjack with flybe

* 1,007 per cent mark up on a can of 7UP with Ryanair

* 740 per cent mark up on a muffin with easyJet

* 495 per cent mark up on a tube of Pringle crisps with Ryanair

* 582 per cent mark up on a pack of Cadbury’s Mini Fingers with Jet2

And the mark-ups don’t end there. We found the average mark-up on hot drinks such as tea and coffee to be 2,355 per cent. Sandwiches were 62 per cent, general food such as crisps, snacks and sweets was 181 per cent, soft drinks such as Coca Cola and Fruit Shoots 181 per cent and alcoholic drinks 311 per cent.

Of course, once you are in the air you have little choice other than to buy from the trolley, accept what is provided free (if anything at all) or to go hungry and thirsty.

But cash-strapped families can fight back by being as savvy with their on-board food and drink requirements as they are when they book their break in the first place. Planning ahead can easily save £40 minimum for a family of four on return flights to European beaches and cities.

Airports and airlines allow customers to bring their own food onto planes so it’s easy for families to plan ahead, prepare their own food snacks and bring them for their journey. This excludes any form of liquids, so yoghurts and dips are out. However, salads, sandwiches, fruit and all manner of snacks and savouries can be chosen. And of course you can prepare just what you like at the fraction of the cost of buying on board or at the airport. Not only that, you can pick healthy options not loaded with sugar or fat which are better for you when travelling.

For drinks, your only option is to buy on board or, better still, in the airport shops past security. Here, you have a far wider choice than the on-board trolley and will make significant savings. However, you cannot bring any alcohol on board for consumption from the duty free shops as this is not allowed under CAA regulations. So if you have to have an in-flight beer, wine or cheeky G&T then the trolley price is unavoidable.

There are still some airlines that offer complimentary food. Whilst catering is charged

on easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, flybe, Aer Lingus, Thomson and Thomas Cook for all short haul flights, legacy carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France still offer at least a free drink and a light snack within the price of the ticket. And, of course, on long-haul flights, all airlines include complimentary food with most also offering free drinks. Notable exceptions are American carriers and holiday companies like Monarch who charge for the bar trolley.

So the next time you fly follow our quick tips and save money;

* Before flying check what food and drink is included in your ticket price

* If included ensure you book any special dietary requirements before travelling e.g. vegetarian, kids meals

* Bring food from home and save on in flights and airport prices

* No liquids over 100ml can be taken through security

* If buying food at the airport, look out for meal

deals. Boots is the cheapest outlet across most

UK airports

* Look out for airport discount vouchers to give you deals on food in the airport

* Buy drinks in the airport and take on board with you

* Be cheeky and take you own fruit teas on board. Ask for hot water from the crew

[Mr V10]

I've been involved with a lot of what you mention above, our airline charges 'high street' prices for food and drink on their flights and they are usually cheaper versus the airport. Interestingly they didn't mention what mark up we charge on our food/drink although they were initially mentioned in the article. I'd assume this is because the mark up wasn't so high and therefore wouldn't have fit in with the point the article was trying to prove. Journalists.
This happens everywhere though, service stations, airports, hotels. It isn't just limited to the airline industry, and you'd be surprised how little the profit margin is in the airline industry. It makes sound business sense, only some companies think 'how much is too much' and ask the question if it is 'morally' right to charge such high prices.

[Timster]

'twas a rip-off at the Olympics too:
330ml plastic bottle of Heineken £4.30 !!
1 x biscuit (small cookie) £2.40 (yes £2.40)

We tried to work out how much profit they were making on the beer allowing for staff overheads (£8 ph, per person etc.)
... got confused by the huge numbers so watched the discus instead.

[Shoppinit]

They are ridiculous prices. But no one is forcing you to buy them. Well, other than the ridiculous liquids restrictions; I thought that was supposed to have been lifted? Why am I still not allowed to get through security with liquids?