The reason comes down to business operating costs including rent, commission, and other fees. Therefore, businesses must charge more for their products, including food, in order to generate profit. So, airports themselves are in part responsible for high food prices.

While it is a common "travel truth" that airports are expensive, in 2026, the answer is "not necessarily," thanks to a rise in "Street Pricing" policies. Many major international airports, particularly in the U.S. (like PDX, SFO, and PHL), now mandate that retailers and restaurants charge the same prices as their "street-side" locations. However, at many other airports, you will still see a 10% to 30% premium on items like bottled water, snacks, and "convenience" electronics. This "Airport Tax" covers the massive overhead costs of operating behind security, including employee background checks and logistics. A high-value peer tip for 2026 is to look for Duty-Free deals on high-end luxury goods, alcohol, and tobacco, which can actually be cheaper than local stores if you are traveling internationally. For everyday essentials, however, the "captive audience" effect still leads to $6 bottles of water and $15 sandwiches. To get the highest value, use a lounge access card (like Amex Platinum) to get "free" food and drinks, or bring an empty reusable bottle to fill at the water stations.