A study conducted by Finance Buzz analyzed the prices of regular-sized domestic macrobrew beers, such as Budweiser and Coors, at the 50 busiest airports in the United States to determine which ones charge the most for a beer. The study revealed that the average price of an airport beer has increased by 21% due to inflation, rising from $7.42 in 2023 to $8.97. The top three airports with the most expensive beers were LaGuardia International Airport in New York with a regular domestic beer priced at $13.83, followed by San Francisco International Airport ($12.61), and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport ($11.99).
The study also found that John F. Kennedy International Airport came in fourth with an average beer price of $11.82, and Hawaii’s Honolulu International Airport ranked fifth with an average beer cost of $11.21. Additionally, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey placed ninth with beers priced at $10.41, making New York City the only city with multiple airports in the top ten. Generally, beer tends to be more expensive at the busiest airports, with eight out of the ten airports with the most expensive beers also ranking in the top 15 for passenger volume.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are airports where travelers can expect to pay less for a beer, with the average beer price at the 10 least expensive airports being $7.97. Salt Lake City International Airport had the least expensive beer at just $6.41, which is less than half the price of a beer at LaGuardia airport. Other airports offering affordable beer prices include Portland International Airport in Oregon ($6.81), Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Meyers ($7.29), New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana ($7.31), and Bush Continental Airport in Houston, Texas ($7.36).
Finance Buzz pointed out that the prices of beers at airports can vary significantly, and frugal travelers looking to enjoy a drink before or after their flights have options for more reasonably-priced brews. It is noted that passengers at the least expensive airports can expect to pay a full dollar less than the national average for a beer. The study highlights that Utah’s Salt Lake City International Airport has beers priced 29% lower than the national average, offering travelers an affordable option for a drink. Overall, travelers have a range of choices when it comes to beer prices at American airports, with some being notably more expensive than others.
