Travelers are increasingly expressing frustration over the high cost of food at airports, a trend highlighted by a recent viral post on X showcasing a nearly $20 avocado toast.
The $19.64 avocado toast, purchased at an airport in the South, was intended to include sprout bread, avocado, olive oil, bacon, and crushed red pepper. However, photos shared by the traveler showed a dish that many commenters felt did not justify the price.
California chef and restaurateur Andrew Gruel commented on the dish, suggesting it appeared to be "avocado purée" applied with a plastic knife to a piece of toast. He noted that while the presentation was unimpressive, it did not surprise him given the circumstances of airport food service.
Gruel believes the quality of food available at airports has declined as prices have risen. He described much of the airport food as "prepackaged, co-packed foods" or "overpriced garbage" from sit-down restaurants that are "rarely cooked from scratch."
Travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," Seth Miller, explained that airport restaurants face significant operational challenges that contribute to higher menu prices. These include high rents, limited storage space, stricter security requirements for deliveries, and increased labor costs.
"It's expensive to operate there," Miller told Fox News Digital. He also noted that while some airports advertise "street pricing," the term can be misleading, as standards for what constitutes comparable off-airport prices can vary. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, for example, permits concessionaires to charge up to 15% more than comparable off-airport prices.
Beyond the avocado toast, other examples of high airport food prices include a $34 burger at Paris Cafe in New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and a $21.30 breakfast at Barney's Beanery at Los Angeles International Airport. Even basic items like a bottle of water can cost between $5 and $6.
Social media platforms have become a space for travelers to share their grievances. "Airport food prices are absolutely out of control," one Reddit user wrote. Another commented on a $36 breakfast burrito, jokingly asking if they had also been charged for breaking a window.
While some airport lounges offer quality meals, experts advise against purchasing lounge access solely for the food. Gruel cautioned that food in lounges often sits out and is subject to contamination. Miller suggested that travelers eat before arriving at the airport or bring their own food. He did note, however, that some sandwiches at airports can be of good quality, citing Frontega Grill at Chicago O'Hare International Airport as an example, though even those can cost around $20 to $25.