Cost of Food and Drinks at Airports

wildwestfan

Moto2 wrote: »

Was the £23 for one breakfast?

I get breakfast every other week at LBA and it's about half that, quite tasty too

Sorry that was for 2 of us:o Still darned expensive for something that we didn't eat.

joerugby

We recently had two airport meals which were first class:

Gordon Ramsey Plane Food at T5 - excellent two course meal for two with drinks for around £40

Frescobaldi Restaurant and Wine Bar Rome FCO T1B - amazing gourmet selection of Italian meats and cheeses for two including wine for about EUR 40

In both cases the meal was memorable. Not cheap but good value in my opinion

Magic_Moments

I totally agree with Mr Wangs comments in post 16. Quote "It's a funny thing, once drinks were banned through security the prices went up after security by a fortune" Since the security measures regarding liquid were introduced the prices of drinks especially non alcohlic like water and orange and cola have increased considerably in the airside restuarants at the airports within these regions. If you want any liquid you pay through the nose for it especially as nowadays you have to check in often 2 to 3 hours before your flight. Most people need some liquid in this time albeit if it is only water so they have little choice but to pay the price. I would agree that both Spanish and Portugese airport maximise their profits by inflicting very high prices on passengers once they are through the security check.

w211

It looks like it can make sense to pay for lounge access (if available), and sit in comfortable surroundings whilst waiting for your flight, with complimentary food and drink.

OnMyTodd

As far as drinks are concerned you have to pay the airports inflated prices as you are not allowed to take any liquids through security, so the shops have you over a barrell. Before the no liquids enforcement came into force prices were a lot cheaper. Food tends to be more expensive than in the high street, but in the UK we usually get a sandwich at the airport from Pret A manager which are fresh and in our view not vastly overpriced.

angelil

If desperate I would ask for tap water from any outlet in an airport. Legally I think they have to give it to you.

grannyjo

I now carry an empty water bottle through security and look for a water tap. I've just come back from Bergan and they had free drinking taps in the ladies. We had to change at Amsterdam and go through security again, so I emptied the bottle ready to get more after security checks. I didn't know outlets had to give you tapwater on request. Is there any info on that 'law'. thanks jo

Tim_Richmond

I can't see staff at retail outlets at Gatwick, Heathrow ,Manchester or other UK airports stopping to fill up a plastic bottle with tap water. Maybe there is a law to serve you tap waterin a glass if you buy a meal but surely not to what is a "Non Customer"

angelil

I meant in a glass, which is surely enough to tide most people over until their flight.

According to this link (https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing), the law dating from 2010 states that if a UK premises sells or supplies alcohol, it is mandatory to provide free tap water. Whether that means you also need to be purchasing other items (e.g. food, alcoholic drinks) at the same time doesn't seem to be clear, so I think you can certainly try to ask for a free glass of tap water and see what happens. There is no equivalent provision in Northern Ireland, however.

Any premises that does not serve alcohol is just being kind to you if they give you tap water for free, though - although post 34 on this thread makes for interesting/encouraging reading: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k3560201-o30-Free_tap_water_in_restaurants_It_s_now_law-London_England.html

MSE has its own guidelines on tap water too: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/tap-water-rights

To be honest, though, I personally would be fine even with refilling an empty plastic bottle airside at the basins in the toilets. It's the UK, not India.

itsanne

angelil wrote: »

I meant in a glass, which is surely enough to tide most people over until their flight.

According to this link (https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing), the law dating from 2010 states that if a UK premises sells or supplies alcohol, it is mandatory to provide free tap water. Whether that means you also need to be purchasing other items (e.g. food, alcoholic drinks) at the same time doesn't seem to be clear, so I think you can certainly try to ask for a free glass of tap water and see what happens. There is no equivalent provision in Northern Ireland, however.

Any premises that does not serve alcohol is just being kind to you if they give you tap water for free, though - although post 34 on this thread makes for interesting/encouraging reading: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k3560201-o30-Free_tap_water_in_restaurants_It_s_now_law-London_England.html

MSE has its own guidelines on tap water too: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/tap-water-rights

To be honest, though, I personally would be fine even with refilling an empty plastic bottle airside at the basins in the toilets. It's the UK, not India.

Not if the water's from a tank rather than the mains!