New York airport drinks to be cheaper after $38 beer sparks audit
Beer prices at New York airport terminals are about to get much more affordable.
There are certain places you expect to pay a premium for a cold brew.
Bahrain, Disneyland, a bar in Venice’s Piazza San Marco, and of course, at the airport.
But it’s unlikely even the most jet-lagged, weary traveller would justify paying AUD$38 for a beer.
New York’s Port Authority has cracked down on price gouging at the US state’s airports after an image showing the eye-watering price of a 23oz Samuel Adams ale at a LaGuardia Airport eatery was circulated on Twitter last year.
$28 for a 23oz Sam Adams. @OTGexp has lost its mind. I understand that last year was tough but these prices are outrageous.
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) July 7, 2021
Airport concession prices are through the roof and it's doubly bad since airlines really aren't serving any food in economy. Passengers have little choice. https://t.co/nzqaDcSuZY
At the time, the airport’s retail operator OTG responded on Twitter stating the US$27.85 sum was incorrect before amending it to a cheaper albeit still hefty price of US$18.15.
Officials will now enforce a cap on food and beverages served at its airports – which includes John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and Newark Stewart – to “street prices” plus a 10 per cent concession.
“That’s just highway robbery,” said Ben Malouf, who runs craft beer store Craft Cartel Liquor.
“You’re looking at a 20 to 30 per cent premium on beers at the airport, but I doubt anyone would pay more than that. It just wouldn’t pass the pub test.”
So how do Australia’s airports fare when it comes to pre-flight beverage prices?
Corey Law, general manager of Airport Retail Enterprises, said while parking, staffing costs and logistics made running an airport venue more expensive, it was not fair to expect customers to foot the bill.
“You can’t just directly transfer that cost on to consumers,” he said.
Mr. Law said the company has been actively trying to change the perception of “crappy airport food which costs an arm and a leg” in recent years, adding the price of beer at newly opened Newstead Brewing Co. Taphouse at Brisbane Airport was in line with “prices you’d pay in the real world.”
A “run-of-the-mill” beer at the venue was “about $14.50 for a pint” and comparable with other premium pubs around the Queensland city.
“I know that because we went and reviewed some of the most premium pubs to look at our offering of this pub,” he said.