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 have! In everyday life I buy NOTHING (4 kids 1 wage) so when get to go on holiday I say eff it and buy something!! (Moroccanoil last holiday!)

I used to fly a lot for work and Lufthansa used to let you use your points to buy duty free

The Ryan air scratch cards give a percentage to charity, they also give away flights, cars or chance to go into million euro draw - I've never bought one but the odds are quite good apparently and some people like a gamble

Nope, I've never seen a soul buy a thing.

And the cabin crew never look like they're expecting anyone to buy something either ime...they kind of give you a vague glance as they go by at a decent pace and just have the expression that they're not really expecting to stop.

I occasionally buy stuff like make-up and skincare because I don't have time in the airport, the limits on liquids through security and the prices are good.

@Cornflakelover

I'm glad they can earn a decent amount of commission because wages aren't good and it's a tough job - it's not like anyone really notices you doing a good job only complain if it's not good then dealing with drunk passengers ... got a friend who is a senior pilot now and as so he avoids all the normal holiday and stag do destinations as he gets first pick ish. When he does have to cover a run to the above he whines on about the behaviour

I’ve never bought anything but I don’t buy perfume or spirits so I guess there is nothing to interest me. I’ve just had a look at Ryanair and at the moment they have a perfume that is £20 less than in the shops. I guess if I was a someone who used perfume I’d snap up the bargain.

And I agree with a PP, Ryanair coffee is good, and their tea is better that BA.

I buy a certain moisturiser set on EasyJet flights. It’s cheaper anyway and then they often add an extra 25% off. Also bought DS’s favourite aftershave when they had it on a very good deal. I am usually the only one buying anything though and never bought on any other airline and never purchase the food and drink.

Jet2 had a great deal on premium gin this summer. Got some on the flight home as not far to carry to the car. It worked out as 3 x 1 litre bottles for £15 each.
Heading to the caneries in a few weeks and might stock up for crimbo/pressies

The Ryanair ones are always charity ones, never bought one mind!

We flew to Italy the other week and someone bought two bottles of flavoured gin I think a couple of rows back. I don’t get it really as you can easily purchase at the airport.

The other thing is if the queues for security/food in the airport are bad then you might not have got time for the shops. I always have a little look at prices at home/resort/plane as I love a bargain

Not sure Duty Free would really beat ticket sales most days but you are absolutely right that the revenue earned by way of Duty Free sales on UK - Nigeria routes was a massive source of revenue at one time, certainly during my commercial flying days.

On a flight to another part of the world I remember on one occasion a very well heeled First Class passenger buying each crew member on the aircraft something of their choice from the Duty Free catalogue, no limit on the price……(he basically asked the cabin crew chief to do the rounds of the crew with the book)….Given the aircraft was a 747 we’re talking something like 17 or 18 crew members…

It’s hard work but they get plenty of time off
i think my nephew flies 9 times a month
he gets 3 months off from Jan - March then back April - Dec

it’s his second year flying and he seems to make pretty decent salary

I’m pretty sure his commission averages out at around 750 -1k a month on top of his wages plus he gets excellent deals on holidays / flights

he just hates the stand by flights where he has to get up at 2.30 am just in case he gets called in 😂

luckily he is only 20mins from the airport so not a long drive

Yesterday he said they had 4 medical emergencies including one where someone has passed out

cabin crew work really hard and have to know loads of stuff about flying safely at all times dealing with passengers in a small contained space 😂

Just landed from a flight and there was a great sale offer on a brand my neice likes so I was keeping an eye on the trolley. I was shocked how many people bought stuff! Mainly booze and cigarettes, the guy in front got £130 worth of cigs.
The thing I wanted was sold out so I'm back to not being a duty free shopper.

I do! It’s often a decent price and I know what I want- Lancaster tan maximiser or Clinique mascara but no whingeing kids in the duty free shop. It’s preplanned and not from boredom.

We flew Lufthansa in the summer. Their catalogue is a thing of beauty; kitchen gadgets, a replica of the trolleys they heat the food in. I assume you order it then have it shipped to you though!

I bought some self tanning oil and liquid blusher on a TUI flight this morning! There was a sale on. Hadn't intended to buy anything, was flipping through the mag out of boredom and saw the good deals

The particular perfume that I wanted was cheaper on the plane than it had been in the airport.

I bought perfume. They had a special 20% off and it was much cheaper than on land in England.

I asked DH to get me two bottles of Tanqueray Sevilla gin last November on a Jet2 flight as they were on offer at 2 litres for about £30 which was a lot cheaper than at home. He’d been to Turkey so the prices there in the airport were outrageous.

No one wants to buy booze on the way out surely then have to pack it to bring it back and not all airport prices are equal.

I've bought cigarettes and perfume. Great value. I hate airport shopping though- I'm an airport pub person!

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

Forced to go through an airport full of loud people invading my personal space, horrible lighting, loud announcements, queuing... already completely done being anywhere near people by the time the plane is boarded.

Then crushed up into an uncomfortable seat with enough leg room only for a small child, again surrounded by people and breathing recycled air for several hours. Again with hideous migraine-inducing lighting and then people waking you up every two minutes if you can fall asleep in self-defence, which sadly is unlikely anyway when unable to sit on a comfortable position.

It seems difficult to imagine what airlines could do to make it a more unpleasant experience really. It certainly hasn't been designed with passenger comfort in mind. 🤣

You get meals and beverage for free so what food are airlines selling?