People who buy duty-free on planes

[MidnightPatrol]

Who are you, and why do you shop when on the plane?

The items all seem quite random and their airports usually have extensive shopping opportunities.

I think on every flight I’ve been on the air hostess push the trolly down the aisle purely because they’re obliged to, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone purchase anything.

Is it just an anachronism the airlines are yet to get rid of as there’s a slight chance of increased revenue?

I always buy a specific moisturiser set because it's cheaper on the plane than in the airport (it's been on TUI's plane duty free for years)

Pretty sure that these were just ordinary ones - I certainly don't remember any 'these are charity scratchcards' announcements. Of course, as my interest in scratchcards is nil, I may not have been listening and therefore not heard it!

Sometimes there is no time to do duty free shopping at the airport if you are making multiple flights in one day

Trapped bored people with money I guess

We bought some charity scratch cards once & did not win

I fly a lot, never see anyone buying it anymore. Back in the day 200 fags was worth it. Now it's not, same for alcohol.

They usually have an extra 30% off perfumes on jet2 so like others I check what the price is before in boots/online, what jet2's price is as the flight magazine is online before and then if it's cheaper at the airport I'll buy at airport - if not I'll get it on the plane!

Hasn't bought anything for years, until this year, when bought a litre of Bombay Sapphire and a litre if Tanqueray. They were only £13 each on our BA flight. Bargain.

I'm a boring old fart, I don't look left or right in the airport DF shop, hate them. Don't drink or smoke and any other smelly stuff on board I'm just not interested in. I want to WATCH MY DOWNLOADED MOVIE ON NETFLIX, so get outta my way lol.

I do however buy a cappuccino on Ryanair flights and a couple of forbidden chocolate bars to munch on. The cappuccino (not the filtered coffee) on Ryanair is gorgeous!

They are definitely for charity, have bought them in the past to use up loose change, although I don't think you can use cash now on Ryanair so I'd be surprised if they sell as many these days.

Sometimes I buy perfume if I couldn't fit one of my own in when packing.
They do special offers on make up a lot so I buy then if I see something.
I always buy the overpriced plane food and drink. It's part of my trip. There's usually always someone who'll tut or shake their head at you as if to call you a moron 😆

That’s two ‘horrific’s in 3 lines…. I’ve got to ask what on earth happens to you on a plane?

fwiw, I’ve bought a watch on jet2 , reduced and 20% off that day. Though it was also ‘that day’ on the next flight a year later.

I bought a bottle of whisky once. It was dead cheap, and the very amusing flight attendant that was doing announcements advertised it in an amusing way and that caught my interest so I bought it. Never usually buy anything, I'm reluctant to even buy a cup of tea on board - I take a flask and a teabag and fill it up with hot water after security and make my own tea for the flight!

Where do you get the hot water from?

I bought my first ever Mont Blanc pen on a BA flight as it was a really good price. It seemed like an outrageous price at the time but I decided to treat myself (I'd been away on my first business trip overseas). Almost 30 years later, I still use it for work every day.

I've bought perfume before. It was just to use up last ok g the zlotys in my purse and was on sale 🤷‍♀️

Last flight we did I think was Jet 2, they were offering decent deals on fragrance and make up and the woman in front of me was buying perfume, she said to her partner that the prices were the same as in the airport, and better than in the shops.

When I fly from Helsinki airport (usual airport) I use the free hot water dispensers they have dotted about the airport after security (and cold water dispenser for filling my water bottle), at other airports if they don't have hot water dispensers I'll buy a cup of tea in a cafe (or just hot water if they'll let me just get that) and put it in my flask, usually cheaper than on the plane.

It's easier to buy duty free in my seat because I usually travel with my disabled daughter. Also, I fully intend to buy a TUI model plane on my next flight with them in January because Amazon is sold out of the specific model I want.

There are going to be loads of reasons people will buy items on a plane. Live and let live 🙂

There is a particular brand of make up I really like. It's cheaper from duty free and it's easier to buy it from the trolley on board than traipse around duty free in the airport trying to find it.

My nephew is cabin crew and can make really good commission from what people buy

one shift his commission that he made was £170 it’s normally a min of 75 -100 I think on average so it really bumps up the salary

I have bought perfume that I like
tanning oils and make up
cigarettes / tobacco when flying

I've bought things on a flight when it's something I'd normally buy and it's much, much cheaper than both the high street and the duty free at the airport. Why wouldn't I? Who doesn't like a bargain?

I bought some make-up and brushes last year. It was a fairly good price anyway and then they had 25% off. I had some spare money left over from the holiday and thought why not.

We travelled home recently and after a storm and lots of diversions the airport was carnage, couldn’t even get in the shops! So FIL bought some alcohol on the plane he had been planning to get in the airport.

I never see people buying it either. The prices on the flights I go on are not as competitive as supermarket prices here when spirits are on offer, for example.
Last time though, there was a bloke two rows in front of us who was buying 3 lots of an expensive brand watch which was supposed to be an exclusive design and deal, which I can understand if he is a collector or reseller.

Boredom, guilt (forgot to call/text/missed birthday etc). Given 9 hours of sitting in a cramped space you read everything in your seat back including the duty free which sounds strangely appealing when you're mid Atlantic. I've rarely bought anything myself my exh regularly bought due to the second reason above!