Hudson, Kitson Battle Over Bottled Water Prices At LAX Boutiques

EL SEGUNDO (CBSLA.com) — Ever feel like the cost of bottled water at Los Angeles International Airport is gouging your wallet?

Kitson is trying to keep the cost of a liter at $2.55 and is suing the Hudson Group, which runs Kitson's two LAX boutiques, for refusing to sell at that price.

The legal battle extends beyond water, with both sides accusing each other of breach of contract.

Travelers, meanwhile, are feeling the pinch.

Tom Slupinski and Susan Wall say they faced sticker shock when they bought four bottles of water at a Hudson News store at terminal 7.

"It was very expensive. It's sort of like highway robbery," Slupinski said.

A 20-ounce bottle of Dasani at Hudson News $2.74. A 700-milliliter bottle of Smart Water is $3.74. And a liter of Smart Water is $5.09.

At the Ralph's down the street, that same liter is $1.44.

Regina Blackburn tried to shop around at the terminal.

"I went to a different store thinking it would be cheaper. It was the same price," Blackburn said.

Kitson's Attorney, Steve Bledsoe, has branded the practice "price gouging."

"Hudson is taking advantage of its monopoly status at the airport," Bledsoe said.

An airport spokesperson told CBS2/KCAL9 a price ceiling is in place to prevent vendors from over-charging.

"The concession agreement and terminal commercial agreement all have a pricing policy which allows only 18% over street pricing," the spokesperson said.

CBS2/KCAL9 did find several vending machines at LAX where bottles of Dasani were priced at $1.50.

The Hudson Group had not responded to a request for comment.