Generally, pilots do not directly pay for food while on duty because they receive compensation to cover these expenses.
Pilots receive a per diem, which is a daily allowance intended to cover food and beverage expenses incurred while they are working away from their home base. According to provided information, this per diem can be estimated at around $7,000 per year on top of their annual salary. This per diem serves as a reimbursement for food and beverage expenses that pilots incur while on the road.
Therefore, while pilots technically pay for food, they are reimbursed for these costs through their per diem.
