Woman Asks For Water At The Airport. Then The Bartender Hands Her A Receipt: ‘The Airport Is Unreal’

Sometimes you just have to take your medicine. Even when it means paying for the privilege to do so. Or so one thirsty traveler learned to her mild shock and dismay. In a video that’s barely seven seconds long, a long-nailed hand can be seen signing a bar receipt.

In a video that’s barely seven seconds long, a long-nailed hand can be seen signing a bar receipt. There are two cups of ice water in plastic cups sitting on the bar in front of her. The total on the receipt is shocking. Texas-based TikTok creator Blessida (@blessidaa), spells it out on screen: “The airport is unreal, 44 cents for each cup of water made me giggle.”

There was also a line for a tip; if she gave 20%, which many consider standard, that would come to a whopping 17 cents—almost not worth the paper the bill is printed on.

In an email to BoardingArea, Blessida says she posted it online because “I like sharing real, relatable experiences, especially when traveling, and I was curious to see if others had experienced something similar.”

Her video has over 131,000 views as of this writing.

How Common Is It To Charge For Tap Water?

Blessida’s experience has people wondering what happened to free water. The internet has some ideas.

“Ngl I know it’s dumb, but you’re just paying for the cup… I hate charging ppl for water but if I give it for free it f**** with my inventory,” explained Alayshaa.

Luvvstar cosigned the practice, but noted they disagree with it, writing, “Girl my job make people pay for a whole cup just for water [grimace emoji] .. the kid’s cups is $2.07 after tax! I dislike it so bad.”

A few folks actually support charging people for water. “Do YOU PEOPLE not know how airports and the businesses inside them function,” wrote Andydotyhere.

TheMessyBarista asked, “How many free water stations did you walk by to buy this water??” Many airports have water stations for water bottle filling.

A few users simply crashed out over the suggested tip. “A tip line is crazy? For what water?” said BabaHirsi. Though several users pointed out it’s automatically printed on the invoice and isn’t up to the server to include.

It’s Not Really About Water

Though exact numbers are hard to pin down, and likely vary by airport, general numbers suggest airports charge between $300-$800 per square foot for retail and concessions space. Some airports have percentage-based fee schedules.

In these, like at the Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, renters are typically don’t pay a fixed amount based on square footage. Instead, a tenant guarantees a fixed annual amount, possibly, plus an agreed-upon percentage of sales. Which may explain those airport Starbucks prices.

Is There Another Reason Airports Charge For Water?

Of course, any discussion of water also brings up the water problems people around the world experience on a daily basis. A 2023 United Nations Water Conference Vision Statement reported, “Almost half of humanity—3.6 billion people—lives without safely managed sanitation; about 2.3 billion people lack basic handwashing facilities at home.”

Even in America, clean water isn’t a given. Communities like Santa Fe, New Mexico and Flint, Michigan have faced and continue to experience issues with access to safe, clean water. Flint needs clean water, while Santa Fe has issues of long-term sustainability.

A cup of water in an airport bar may seem unassuming, but it subtly points to a problem people experience across the globe.

Blessida said the experience, “Felt a little awkward in the moment. It wasn’t so much about the 44 cents itself, but more the principle of being charged for something as simple as a cup of water. It didn’t seem like the bartender was embarrassed..it came across more as standard procedure, although his tone did feel slightly annoyed and the price felt a bit randomly said, which caught me off guard.”

Packing a reusable cup might save you from seeing an absurd charge on your credit card bill.

@blessidaa I just needed to take my medicine ..too funny #airport #airportprices ♬ original sound – BLESSIDA