"Never Drink Coffee on Planes": Flight Attendants Issue Another Warning

Claims That "Water Tanks Are Not Properly Cleaned"

Airline crew members have once again warned that they do not drink coffee or tea on board flights.

Getty Images Bank

Recently, the American lifestyle magazine Southern Living published interviews with former and current flight attendants from various domestic and international airlines in the United States. They unanimously advised, "Never drink coffee or tea on planes." The flight attendants argued that the water used for coffee and tea served on flights comes from onboard tanks, which may not be as clean as passengers expect.

One flight attendant, who requested anonymity, said, "I never drink coffee on board," adding, "The hot water on planes often smells like chlorine (disinfectant), and if it doesn't, I become even more suspicious." The chlorine smell could be from chemical disinfectants used in water tanks that are not cleaned frequently.

In fact, several flight attendants testified that they had seen the inside of airplane water tanks and found them to be unclean. Miriam Lawson, who worked as a flight attendant at a major U.S. airline for seven years, said, "I once saw the inside of a water tank during aircraft maintenance," adding, "Since then, I only drink bottled water and carbonated drinks." She also mentioned, "Wine or whiskey is fine, but it's better to ask for no ice." Another flight attendant said they had witnessed maintenance staff not properly cleaning the tanks, and yet another recommended drinking only sealed beverages whenever possible.

The flight attendants agreed that they often bring their own bottled water. They also added that they are trained not to drink onboard water unless it has been boiled or there are no other alternatives available.

In fact, multiple investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) into aircraft water supply systems found that one out of every eight planes failed to meet water safety standards, and bacteria, including E. coli, were detected. Although water is heated to serve coffee or tea, flight attendants repeatedly expressed concern that, because the boiling point of water is lower at high altitudes, sterilization may not be sufficient.

This is not the first time such revelations have been made. Back in March, a U.S. flight attendant detailed the unsanitary process of making coffee on board through a TikTok account. At that time, the attendant said, "The water tanks are rarely cleaned, but that water is used to make coffee," adding, "I'm concerned about mold and bacteria growing inside the tanks."

However, there are also many flight attendants and pilots who say they frequently drink coffee and tea on planes and have never had any health issues. In reality, airlines do regularly clean their water tanks. Under current U.S. law, airlines are required by the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) to disinfect and clean their water tanks at least four times a year. If they disinfect only once a year, they must conduct monthly water quality tests. However, there has been criticism that the EPA rarely enforces penalties for violations, making the regulations less effective.