What better way to kickstart your holiday than an a pre-flight pint or a glass of bubbly at the airport? For some, it’s a right of passage no matter the time of day. But if you might be looking to save a bit of money for your trip but still enjoy a drink then which airport in the UK is your best option? Luckily for Mancs, Manchester Airport has been named the second cheapest pint and prosecco out of the UK’s most popular airports, according to new research.
A pint at Manchester Airport will typically set you back £6.33 and the airport was beaten only by Glasgow International, where you can grab a beer for £6.06 on average. And although some might think the price still steep, think of those flying from London Luton where a pint is roughly £7.36, placing the airport at the bottom of the list.
The research was carried out by luxury travel membership platform, Velloy. It analysed Google reviews and the drinks menus of 87 establishments across the UK’s 15 most popular airports in 2024 to create the Airport Pint and Prosecco Index.
Looking closer into restaurant price points, Velloy also found the most expensive pint on average is located at London Pride By Fullers at Heathrow Airport for £10.05, whereas the most affordable pint is home to Tennett’s Pier Bar at Glasgow International for £4.79.
Average cost of a pint at the UK’s 15 most popular airports
- Glasgow International – £6.06
- Manchester – £6.33
- East Midlands International – £6.44
- London Stansted – £6.60
- Edinburgh – £6.61
- London Gatwick – £6.65
- Bristol – £6.67
- Belfast International – £6.71
- Birmingham – £6.78
- Liverpool John Lennon – £6.84
- Leeds Bradford – £6.94
- Newcastle International – £6.96
- London City – £6.98
- Heathrow – £7.14
- London Luton – £7.36
As for those who prefer to start their holiday with bubbles, Manchester Airport came in second place once again with the average cost of a glass of prosecco being £8.34. This was only 1p more than the cheapest average glass found at East Midlands International Airport.
Meanwhile, a glass of fizz at Leeds Bradford will typically set you back £11.38, making it the most expensive on the list of 15 UK airports. The luxury travel membership platform also discovered that the most expensive glass of prosecco totals £14.99 and can be found at the Bottega Prosecco Bar at London Stansted.
Average cost of a glass of prosecco at the UK’s 15 most popular airports
- East Midlands International – £8.33
- Manchester – £8.34
- London Luton – £8.69
- Edinburgh – £8.88
- Heathrow – £8.96
- Newcastle International – £9.19
- Glasgow International – £9.33
- London Stansted – £9.44
- London Gatwick – £9.46
- Birmingham – £9.78
- Bristol – £9.91
- Belfast International – £10.26
- Liverpool John Lennon – £10.60
- London City – £11.29
- Leeds Bradford – £11.38
Although the research by Velloy named Manchester Airport as one of the cheapest for a pre-flight pint and prosecco, it also revealed that the Northern airport was among the worst for increasing prices for travellers after they pass through security. Manchester Airport was found to charge travellers 15% more for a pint and 7% more for a glass of prosecco once past security. To avoid these inflated prices, it could be wise to enjoy your pre-flight tipple before you head to security.