I was pleasantly shocked to find a 7-11 in an airport that charged their normal price for coffee.

Certain airports (Salt Lake City, NY metro airports) make a choice to enforce pricing that is representative of outside pricing because the perception of gouging is so bad.

Portland (PDX) had really good prices last time I was there. Seatac is OK, they have affordable fast food options and their starbucks is only slightly more expensive than on the outside.

European airports are worse. I never spent so much on a coffee than at Zurich's airport. It was swiss markup over the usual swiss markup.

The last time I flew JFK - pre-pandemic, the prices were insane. $16 for a sub sandwich (not Subway). Tasted terrible. I've never been to NYC, so I don't know if this is what they charged outside.

Portland, as another commenter said, tends to have the same price in the airport as their restaurants outside.

> $16 for a sub sandwich (not Subway). Tasted terrible. I've never been to NYC, so I don't know if this is what they charged outside.

Definitely not normal. In most of Manhattan, you can get a quite good sandwich for less $14 or less.

The rest of NYC is going to be cheaper.

The McDonald's in Barcelona airport used to have normal prices but recently they've started ripping off too :(

> How they haven't been charged for collusion and price fixing is beyond me.

I'm pretty sure it's because they're cutting the (govt-owned/operated) airports in on the action.

Usually local government-owned. That shouldn’t be a factor with the Feds.

I think most investigations of operators on that level are done by state attorneys general.

They can be, but based off the description of events higher up the thread, I could see the Feds getting involved if this is accurate.

If you buy up all the retail space in one airport, I don't imagine that triggers interstate commerce law that would allow the feds to step in.

Why wouldn't it? All but the smallest airports have an effect on interstate commerce 6 virtue of flights going to other states.

And when taco bell is on the flight that would be a factor.

You underestimate how broadly the interstate commerce clause is applied.

Probably, but I don't think anyone knows how the Supreme Court would rule on the interstate commerce clause anymore.

The Starbucks in airports are usually still franchised (which otherwise is rare for Starbucks), and at least a few I’ve encountered are definitely operated by HMS Host.

Yes, but if you're Starbucks, you'll make an agreement with HMS not to overcharge too much.

It looks bad for you to be a >$100B company and trying to price gouge your loyal customers at the airport.