Next time you’re thirsty on a flight, you might want to think twice before accepting that cup of water, coffee, or tea. Former flight attendant Kat Kamalani’s TikTok videos have gone viral after she shared some dirty secrets about airplane water. “Never consume any liquid that’s not in a can or bottle,” warns Kamalani. The reason? Those water tanks that supply your in-flight drinks aren’t cleaned nearly as often as you’d hope—and what’s lurking inside might make your stomach turn. Still thirsty? You might want to stick around to find out why flight attendants themselves refuse to drink anything made with airplane tap water.
Water tanks rarely get cleaned
Ever wonder where the water for your tea or coffee comes from on a plane? It’s stored in big tanks that, according to flight attendants, don’t get cleaned nearly enough. Imagine a large container that’s constantly being refilled without proper cleaning between uses. These tanks collect water from various airport sources, and maintenance crews don’t empty and sanitize them regularly. The result? Water that sits in these tanks can become a breeding ground for all sorts of nasty bacteria.
What makes this situation worse is that these same tanks supply water to multiple systems on the plane. The water that comes out of the bathroom faucet? Same source as your hot tea. The water used to make your coffee? Straight from those rarely cleaned tanks. Even more concerning, a 2019 study found that many airplane water tanks contained harmful bacteria including coliform and E. coli, which can cause serious stomach issues. No wonder flight attendants like Kamalani call these tanks “disgusting” and refuse to drink anything made with this water themselves.
Coffee makers and hot water are no better
If you think that boiling water for tea or running it through a coffee maker would kill any germs, think again. The coffee makers on planes have their own gross problems. These machines are often located near the lavatories and aren’t cleaned properly between flights. Some flight attendants have reported that the machines are only serviced when they break down completely. Just imagine all the grime and bacteria building up inside these rarely-cleaned devices day after day, flight after flight.
The cleaning process itself can be questionable too. According to some airline workers, coffee makers are sometimes cleaned by draining the coffee into the airplane’s toilets. This can lead to backsplash and contamination. Yuck! Even if the hot water kills some bacteria, it doesn’t eliminate all contaminants or chemical residues that might be present in the tanks or pipes. No wonder flight attendant Celina Bedding strongly advises passengers to avoid coffee or tea prepared onboard, sticking instead to bottled or canned beverages.
Science backs up these gross claims
This isn’t just flight attendants being picky – there’s solid research behind these warnings. A 2019 study by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and DietDetective.com looked at water quality across major airlines. They rated each airline on a scale from 0 to 5, with 5 being the best quality. The results? Seven out of ten major airlines scored below a 3, showing that most airplane water is potentially unsafe. They tested for bacteria like E. coli and coliform, which can cause serious stomach problems.
What’s more worrying is that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is supposed to monitor water quality on planes, seems to be falling short. The study found a “lack of enforcement by the EPA, which has issued few penalties in recent years” despite finding germs in most airlines’ water supplies. Though the water comes from municipal systems originally, the quality drops significantly due to the equipment used to transfer and store it on planes. This scientific evidence confirms what flight attendants have been saying – airplane water just isn’t safe to drink.
Don’t wash your hands in the bathroom either
The bad news doesn’t stop with drinks. That same dirty water from the tanks is what flows through the bathroom faucets too. Many people don’t realize that when they wash their hands in an airplane lavatory, they’re using the exact same water supply that they’ve been warned not to drink. It seems counterproductive to wash your hands with water that might actually make them dirtier, doesn’t it? Yet that’s exactly what happens when passengers use airplane bathroom sinks.
So what should you do instead? Experts recommend using hand sanitizer rather than washing with tap water. The 2019 study specifically advised passengers to “avoid washing hands in bathroom sinks” and to “use hand sanitizer instead.” Many airlines have even started putting signs in their bathrooms warning passengers that the water isn’t suitable for drinking – though they rarely mention it’s the same water you’re about to wash your hands with. Pack some sanitizer in your carry-on bag for a safer alternative to airplane tap water.
What about making baby formula?
Parents traveling with infants face an extra challenge. If you need to prepare formula during a flight, you absolutely shouldn’t use the tap water or hot water from the beverage service. The risk of exposing a baby to potentially harmful bacteria is just too high. Babies have developing immune systems that are more vulnerable to contaminants that might be present in airplane water. Using this water for formula preparation could put your little one at risk for stomach issues or other health problems.
Kat Kamalani has advice for parents in this situation: “Ask for bottled water and heat it up in a cup.” This way, you can warm the water safely without exposing your baby to potentially contaminated tank water. Some parents also bring pre-measured formula containers and small bottles of water specifically for this purpose. Planning ahead is key when traveling with infants, especially for longer flights where multiple feedings will be necessary.
Not all airlines are equal
While the overall picture of airplane water quality isn’t great, some airlines do better than others. The 2019 study ranked airlines based on their water quality, and there were clear winners and losers. Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Hawaiian Airlines scored highest on the water quality scale, though even they weren’t perfect. On the other end, airlines like United, JetBlue, and Spirit scored much lower, suggesting their water might pose more health risks to passengers.
What causes these differences? It often comes down to maintenance practices and how frequently the airlines clean their water tanks. Some airlines might follow stricter protocols or use better filtration systems. Others might service their water systems more regularly. The study gave Alaska Airlines the highest score of 3.3 out of 5, while JetBlue and Spirit received the lowest scores of 1 out of 5. These ratings can help you know what to expect on different carriers, though the safest bet is still to avoid airplane tap water altogether, regardless of the airline.
Safe drinking options while flying
So what can you drink on a plane? The answer is simple: stick to bottled or canned beverages. Sealed bottles of water, soda, or juice that flight attendants open in front of you are safe choices. These drinks come from outside suppliers and don’t touch the airplane’s water system at all. Most airlines offer a selection of these bottled and canned options as part of their regular service, though some budget carriers might charge for them.
Many experienced travelers bring their own empty water bottles through security and fill them at airport water fountains before boarding. This not only saves money but ensures you have clean water throughout your flight. If you run out during a long flight, ask for a sealed bottle from the flight attendant. Some travelers even bring their own tea bags or instant coffee and ask for hot water in a cup along with a sealed water bottle, then mix their own drinks using the bottled water instead of tap water.
What flight attendants really drink
Want to know what the real insiders do? Look at what flight attendants themselves drink during flights. Most avoid the coffee, tea, and anything else made with the airplane’s water system. They know better than anyone what goes on behind the scenes. Instead, they typically stick to canned sodas, bottled juices, or waters. Some bring their own drinks or empty bottles to fill at the airport before boarding, just like savvy passengers do.
It’s worth noting that not all flight attendants agree with these warnings. Some have commented on Kamalani’s videos saying they have no issues drinking the coffee and tea on planes. However, the majority seem to avoid airplane tap water and anything made with it. When those who work on planes daily—people who have seen the maintenance practices firsthand—refuse to drink something, it’s probably smart for passengers to follow their lead. Their inside knowledge of how planes operate gives weight to their warnings about water quality.
The next time you board a flight, remember that not all drinks are created equal. Stick to sealed bottles and cans to stay on the safe side. Skip the coffee, tea, and any other drinks made with airplane tap water. And maybe pack some extra hand sanitizer for those bathroom trips. Your stomach will thank you for heeding these flight attendants’ warnings. While airlines work on improving their water quality standards, the safest approach is to sip smartly and avoid anything that might have touched those rarely cleaned water tanks.
