Airline Food Bargains: US Airways Sprite Is Priced Just Right

In an effort to bolster morale, or perhaps simply provide useful information to share with passengers irate at the new $2 soda on US Airways, a recent airline employee newsletter sets out the cost of soda - by the ounce - from various purveyors of pop.  Turns out, US Airways Sprite is priced just right!  Here's the chart, courtesy of Going Away:

Company ... ounces in drink ... cost per ounce
Aer Lingus ... 11 ... 68 cents
The Ritz Carlton ... 10 ... 50 cents
Scandinavian Airlines ... 11 ... 41 cents
Spirit Airlines ... 12 ... 25 cents
AMC Theaters ... 16 19 cents
US Airways ... 12 ... 17 cents
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport ... 20 ... 13 cents
Hilton Hotels ... 20 ... 10 cents
Circle K ... 20 ... 8 cents
Subway ... 21 ... 8 cents
Walmart ... 12 ... 2 cents

I don't think any of us is surprised that Walmart charges less per ounce than an airline, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that AMC Theaters are so cheap.  I've always been under the impression that I was getting horrendous value when I spring $8 for a medium popcorn and a small Coke.  Turns out it was only a vague ripoff!  And what's with Aer Lingus charging $7 for a soda?  Is there a carbon dioxide shortage in Dublin?

The airlines explain that they have to charge for food and drinks to keep airfares down.  (More precisely, they argue that they have to charge for snacks to avoid going bankrupt since the market does not permit them to raise fares.)  And it appears that the AMC comparison is apropos here.  A recent study by folks at Stanford and UC Santa Cruz shows that inflated movie concession prices help keep flick tix affordable.  University students take note: if the campus bookstore didn't charge so much for your textbooks, we'd really have to raise tuition!

Image from Pacific Southwest Airlines, a US Airways precursor, circa 1981.  Those were the days - deregulation and cheap drinks!

Comments

[Payday Loan]

Well, this is really necessary for those Airlines that needs income. Passenger will surely look for this kind of discounts to really lessen expenses. Travel expenses are pretty hefty these days – you may need a payday loan for any sort of flight longer than an hour or two. Oh, and that is just for the stuff on the plane. US Airways is rolling out a new program where you get charged for a pillow and blanket, about $7. $7 just to take a nap and you'll need a payday loan if you want peanuts. The trend of charges for services ordinarily free of charge is an upward one on airlines, as all require a checked baggage fee now.

[Air Jordan]

Tomorrow is an other day!@