Flyer Beware: Beer Prices Are Sky-High At One Major Airport

If you've ever flown on a plane, you are probably aware that air travel comes with a number of positives and negatives. This is doubly true when it comes to food and drinks. While airplane food has been lambasted for decades, many travelers still manage to have fun by trying to find the best food to eat in their airport. Drinks enthusiasts can also entertain themselves prior to boarding thanks to many American airports selling alcohol to travelers who are over the age of 21. Unfortunately, airport beers — even simple domestic draft beers — often come with a hefty price tag.

While some airports sell beer for just over $6, others are far more expensive. According to research conducted by FinanceBuzz, 10 of the 50 busiest airports in the United States charged over $10 for a domestic beer during 2024. The priciest of them all was none other than LaGuardia Airport in New York City where a regular-sized domestic beer was priced at an average of $13.83.

It might come as a bit of a surprise to the frequent fliers out there that beer prices are so high at LaGuardia Airport, especially seeing as it's not even among the top 10 busiest airports in the United States. In fact, FinanceBuzz's data shows that Los Angeles International Airport, the busiest airport in the country, only charged $8 for a domestic beer during 2024, more than $5 less than LaGuardia.

While $13.83 is an absurd amount to be paying for just about any beer — be it domestic beer, imported beer, or craft beer – it's far less than LaGuardia has charged for some beers in the past. One traveler made headlines in 2021 after they paid $27.85 for a glass of Samuel Adams beer at LaGuardia Airport.

Unfortunately for those flying to or from New York City, the airport located in East Elmhurst isn't the only one that has high beer prices. John F. Kennedy International Airport also charges quite a bit for the alcoholic beverage with an average-sized beer costing around $11.82 during 2024. While cheaper than those served at LaGuardia Airport, this is still far more than most people are used to paying; the average cost of a domestic beer in the United States' 50 busiest airports during 2024 was a much more palatable $8.97.