Flyers are spending £36 on average while they wait for their flights, up from £21 in 2020.
In its annual airport spending research, Holiday Extras has uncovered that the average airport spend (£36) exceeds that of an average airport lounge pass at £35.
COO Elizabeth Hogg said, "People are spending more than ever at the airport as they wait for their plane, and we’re here to show them a better way. People tell us they’re spending an average of £36 while they wait for their plane, and for that amount, in most cases, they could have had an airport lounge instead."
While meals have gone up by 9% in average guest spend, the biggest changes are in duty-free costs and Wi-Fi. Holidaymakers are spending £24 on planned duty-free and £12 on impulse, up from £16 and £7.50 in 2022. Wi-Fi spending is up to over £3.
"Holidaymakers could also consider that getting to the airport early for their flight means they’re going to splash out on meals and duty-free. That puts down the relative cost of staying overnight at an airport hotel and starting their holiday early with a stroll into the terminal just in time for their plane - meaning more people might have a better holiday this year when they wake up fresh on day one rather than spending it in the early-morning dash to the airport," Elizabeth concluded.
