The Pint and Prosecco Index: Your Guide to Pre-Flight Beverages

At Velloy, we understand that there's no better way to kickstart your holiday than with a refreshing pint or a glass of bubbly. Whether you're jetting off for a relaxing beach getaway or an adventurous city break, we believe that your pre-flight drink should set the tone for your trip.

That's why we've delved into the world of airport bars and pubs across the UK to bring you our inaugural 'Airport Pint and Prosecco Index.' This comprehensive guide showcases the most affordable and highest-rated airports for a pre-flight tipple, ensuring that your holiday starts on the right note.

Our research involved analysing Google reviews and delving into drinks menus from 87 establishments across the UK's 15 most popular airports. We've crunched the numbers to reveal the average costs of both pints and glasses of prosecco, as well as highlighting the airports that offer the best value for money and the highest quality beverages.

Pint Price Points

When it comes to enjoying a pint before takeoff, Glasgow International Airport takes the lead for affordability, offering pints at an average price of £6.06. This makes it an attractive option for travellers looking to savour a pre-flight drink without overspending. On the other hand, if you find yourself at Heathrow Airport, the average pint will set you back by £7.14!

Looking closer into restaurant price points, the most expensive pint on average can be found 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. 

Here’s the full breakdown…

Velloy’s Pint Index: Average cost of a pint at UK’s 15 most popular airports

Prosecco Picks

For travellers looking to start their holiday on a more luxurious note with a glass of prosecco, East Midlands International Airport emerges as the wallet-friendly choice, offering glasses at an average of £8.33. Conversely, Heathrow Airport showcases both ends of the spectrum, with prices ranging from £6.20 at Star Light Wetherspoons to £12.50 at Gordon Ramsay Plane Food.

In our research, Leeds Bradford Airport stands out as the most expensive option, with a £3.05 difference compared to the cheapest glass of prosecco. On average, you can expect to spend £11.38 per glass at LBA. We also discovered that the most expensive glass of Prosecco totals £14.99 and can be found at the Bottega Prosecco Bar at London Stansted. 

Velloy’s Prosecco Index: Average cost of a glass of prosecco at UK’s 15 most popular airports

Post-Security Pitfalls

If you’re heading for a pre-flight drink it's worth being aware of potential price increases after passing through security. Manchester Airport stands out for raising prices significantly, with pint prices increasing by 15% and prosecco prices by 7%. To avoid these inflated prices, it could be a wise option to plan ahead and enjoy your pre-flight drink before heading to security! 

Alcohol-Free Options 

For travellers who prefer non-alcoholic options, our research unveiled that the majority (71%) of the bars, pubs, and restaurants at the surveyed airports provide an alcohol-free pint alternative. However, the availability of alcohol-free options for fizz is limited, with only 7% of establishments offering a non-alcoholic glass of prosecco. 

Rating Revelations 

Although costings are crucial, the atmosphere of an establishment is also key in enjoying a good drink. Analysing Google Reviews across all airport bars, restaurants and establishments, we discovered that with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5, Glasgow International Airport takes the crown for the highest-rated airport for pre-flight drinks.

On the other end of the spectrum, Manchester and London Stansted fall short with a rating of 3.6, proving that not all airport bars are created equal.

Take a look at the full breakdown of average Google ratings at each airport below:

If you're torn between starting your journey from London's Gatwick or Heathrow, or perhaps Manchester or Liverpool, we trust that our index will be invaluable to anyone seeking to commence their trip with a celebratory beverage!