A flight attendant has shared insights on two specific beverages that passengers might want to reconsider drinking while on a plane.
One of the more enjoyable aspects of traveling is the variety of treats available at the airport. Whether it’s the shopping, the food, or that pre-flight drink, these can all help make the tedious part of the journey—being confined in an aircraft for hours—more bearable.
In an effort to alleviate in-flight monotony, many airlines have enhanced their onboard menu offerings to keep passengers content until they land.
While essentials like water, juice, tea, and coffee are often complimentary on long flights, a flight attendant has issued a caution that might make you reconsider these free offerings.
Kat Kamalani, who boasts over a million followers on TikTok with her travel insights and tips, recently took to the platform to discuss concerning facts about certain airplane beverages.
She stated: “Don’t you ever, ever, ever consume these products from an airplane, from a flight attendant! Rule number one never consume any liquid that is not in a can or a bottle.”
The TikToker emphasized that this advice stems from concerns about the hygiene of most airplane water tanks.
“Those water tanks are never cleaned and they are disgusting,” she asserted.
Hot drinks like tea or coffee are not exempt from this warning, as they also originate from the same questionable tank.
“Talk to a flight attendant, we rarely, rarely, drink the coffee or tea. They come from the same water tank,” Kat elaborated. “And so when you’re drinking that coffee and tea come from that hot water and it’s absolutely disgusting.”
Moreover, the placement of the coffee machine raises additional hygiene concerns due to its proximity to the restroom.
“These little coffee guys, they are rarely cleaned unless they are broken. These guys are taken out and cleaned in between flights, but the whole machine is never cleaned and they’re by the lavatories,” she explained.
Kat’s warning is supported by another former flight attendant, Alex Quigley, who also highlighted concerns about the cleanliness of airplane water tanks in an interview with Delish.
“There’s no telling how often or when the tank has been cleaned last,” Alex mentioned. “This is a beast for bacteria. Plus, we were never allowed to pour the remaining coffee brewed into the drain of the airplane and were usually instructed to pour the coffee out into the toilet.
“I can be honest and say I NEVER knew or saw anyone empty and refill or wash them out in between trips.”
Additionally, Kat offered advice for those flying with infants, advising parents to avoid asking for hot water for warming baby formula. Instead, she suggested requesting a bottle of water and a separate cup of hot water.
“Then make your baby a bottle with the bottled water. Put it in the cup and heat it up,” she advised.
The Mirror reported that the safety of water on planes is contingent on the condition of the tank, the quality of the water, and the airline’s maintenance practices. Several studies have raised microbiological concerns regarding the water served on flights.