By applying the Hurdle-Double model to 2,461 passengers at the Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport (Sardinia, Italy), this study analyses whether sociodemographics, travel-related variables, flight-related variables and pre-intention to buy significantly influence passengers’ expenditures for food and beverages. Our findings reveal that the ‘decision to buy’ is significantly influenced by sociodemographics (i.e. income) and flight-related variables (i.e. waiting time prior to embarking), while expenditure levels are significantly influenced by age, travel-related variables (i.e. type of ac-commodation) and pre-intention to buy. Managerial implications are discussed and suggestions for further research are given.