The 2 Drinks Flight Attendants Would Never Order On A Plane

Key Points

Most flight attendants avoid airplane coffee and tea because the water tanks used aren't regularly cleaned and may contain contaminants.

Government tests have found that some aircraft fail water safety standards, including the presence of bacteria, which heightens concern even when the water is heated.

Experts and crew recommend sticking with sealed drinks like bottled water or canned soda, or bringing your own coffee from the terminal instead.

In an airplane cabin on an early-morning flight, a hot cup of coffee or tea might sound like just the thing to keep you cozy and alert. But ask any seasoned flight attendant and they’ll tell you to skip the coffee and tea. Seriously.

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While the cabin crew may smile as they hand you that steaming cup, many of them wouldn't drink it themselves—and haven’t for years. We spoke with current and former flight attendants from a wide range of major airlines and international carriers, and they all echoed the same warning: The water used for hot drinks on airplanes comes from onboard tanks that may not be as clean as you’d hope. Some avoid it altogether. Others have found workarounds. But all generally agree: It’s a risk that you may not want to take.

Here’s why you should think twice before sipping that mid-flight brew.

Water Tanks Are Rarely Cleaned

“I don’t drink coffee on the plane,” says a flight attendant who requested anonymity because she once broke protocol by using bottled water to brew coffee in the oven. “The hot water often smells like chlorine, and if it doesn’t, you suspect it even more.”

That smell might be coming from chemical disinfectants used on tanks that are rarely cleaned thoroughly. Several flight attendants told us they’ve seen the inside of those tanks, and they weren’t pretty.

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“I personally avoided drinking hot beverages from onboard tanks,” says Miriam Lawson, who worked for seven years as a flight attendant with a major U.S. carrier before becoming an editor. “I’ve seen the inside of those tanks during maintenance stops. Let’s just say I stick to bottled water, soda, or alcohol when flying.”

Kaz Marzo, a former flight attendant and now an operations manager with over 12 years in the aviation industry, agrees. “I’ve personally witnessed maintenance crews neglect proper tank-cleaning protocols. The pipes also collect mineral buildup over time.” His advice: Stick with sealed, canned, or bottled drinks.

Data Backs It Up

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted multiple surveys of aircraft water systems. Findings reveal that roughly one in eight airplanes failed water safety standards, including tests for coliform bacteria, a red flag for contamination.

While the water is technically heated to near-boiling temperatures to brew coffee and tea, that’s not always enough to guarantee safety, especially when altitude changes the boiling point.

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“During my training and service, we were taught that the water tanks aren't cleaned as frequently as they should be,” says Dionne Mitchell, a former Emirates flight attendant. “The rumors are based in reality. Stick with sealed beverages whenever possible.”

Some Airlines Train Staff Not To Drink The Water

Steve Nixon, who flew for American Airlines for five years, puts it bluntly: “We were literally trained to avoid drinking from the aircraft water supply unless it had been boiled or there were no other options available. That was not just a safety measure for passengers. It applied to the crew as well.”

Instead, Nixon says, many crew members brought their own tea bags and used bottled water heated in the galley. “That habit served me well during thousands of hours in the air.”

Former international flight attendant Nathalie Bennett had a similar routine: “I never consumed hot beverages made onboard, nor did most crew members. The tanks are cleaned periodically, but not after every flight, and testing has repeatedly shown the presence of coliform bacteria.”

Some Say It’s A Personal Risk Calculation

Of course, not every crew member refuses airplane coffee.

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“There are flight attendants and pilots who drink tea and coffee frequently and never have had a gastrointestinal issue,” says Richard Woulfe, a flight attendant and safety expert. He sees it as a matter of weighing the risks. “For me this is a probability situation. I like reducing risk, so I bring my own beverages.”

That was the same logic used by Mary Wallace Walke, a Delta flight attendant for 35 years. While the rumors about water tanks have been around forever, “we all drank gallons of coffee to stay awake on international crossings. It was a necessity!” she says. “And I have not heard of any related problems.”

In other words, the threat is real, but a bad outcome is not guaranteed, of course. Some people may never feel the effects, but flight attendants who’ve seen the tanks up close tend to err on the side of caution.

What Should You Drink Instead?

“I usually just bring my own,” says the anonymous flight attendant, who swears by canned cold brew. Other flight attendants we interviewed recommend grabbing a fresh coffee from the airport terminal and bringing it onboard. Sealed bottled water, canned soda, and juice boxes are all considered safer options, since they don’t involve the airplane’s plumbing.

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And if you’re desperate for tea? Bring your own bag and ask for hot water from a bottle—just don’t expect every crew member to accommodate that request.

Even aviation insiders like Dean Rotchin, founder of Blackjet, steer clear of the galley brew. “If you want coffee during your flight, your best bet is to grab one in the terminal before boarding. It's not worth the risk when you have safer alternatives readily available.”

The Bottom Line

Is it technically safe to drink airplane coffee? Probably. But “probably” doesn’t sit well with most flight attendants, especially those who’ve seen the inside of a water tank.

If the people serving the drinks wouldn’t drink them themselves, that might be your cue to opt for something else. At the very least, you’ll avoid the chlorine aftertaste, and maybe gain a little more peace of mind at cruising altitude.

Read the original article on Southern Living