Former and current airline flight attendants have confessed to not drinking coffee or tea onboard, raising questions about the sanitary conditions of aircraft water tanks. This serves as a warning that the water used for beverages served during flights might not be as clean as passengers expect.
On July 2, the American lifestyle magazine 'Southern Living' published interviews with current and former flight attendants from various airlines, reporting their consistent advice: "Never drink coffee or tea onboard." The issue they highlighted is the hygienic state of the aircraft's water tanks.
"Since Seeing the Water Tank, I Only Drink Bottled Water"
One flight attendant, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "I don't drink coffee onboard," adding, "If the hot water onboard smells like disinfectant, or if it has no smell at all, I'm even more suspicious." This suggests the possibility that water tanks are not cleaned frequently, leading to the lingering smell of chemical disinfectants, or that proper disinfection isn't happening at all.
Some flight attendants shared their shocking experiences of directly witnessing the inside of aircraft water tanks. Miriam Lawson, who worked for a major U.S. airline for seven years, firmly stated, "I've seen the inside of a water tank during plane maintenance. Since then, I only drink bottled water and sodas, without exception." Kaz Marzoh, with over 12 years in the airline industry, also pointed out poor hygiene, claiming, "I personally witnessed maintenance staff not cleaning the tanks properly. There was mineral residue accumulated in the pipes." Dion Mitchell, a former flight attendant for a famous airline, agreed, "The rumors are true. I recommend drinking sealed beverages if possible."
Inadequate Hygiene Management, Also Revealed by Statistics
The testimonies that flight attendants often carry their own bottled water support the idea that these concerns are not mere rumors. Steve Nixon, who worked for American Airlines for five years, stated that flight attendants are trained not to drink onboard water unless it's boiled or there are no other alternatives.
Indeed, the results of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s investigation into aircraft water supply systems are shocking. Roughly one in eight aircraft failed to meet water quality safety standards, and there were even cases where bacteria, including E. coli, were detected. Flight attendants' concerns that heating water for coffee or tea may not be sufficient for sterilization due to the lower boiling point of water at high altitudes also hold true. Generally, water boils at 100°C at sea level, but as altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, and so does the boiling point. For example, at cruising altitude, around 10,000 meters (33,000 feet), the boiling point of water drops to about 80°C. At this temperature, it can be difficult to kill all harmful bacteria and viruses.
"Just Personal Worry" vs. "A Risk Worth Taking?"
Of course, not all flight attendants hold negative views about onboard coffee. Some flight attendants and pilots who frequently drink tea and coffee during flights claim to have never experienced any health problems. Mary Wallace Walk, who worked for Delta Air Lines for 35 years, said, "Rumors about water tanks have always been around, but I can't survive long-haul international flights without coffee. We all drink several cups of coffee to fight drowsiness. It's essential. Yet, I've never seen a colleague get sick from it." Richard Wolf, a flight attendant and safety expert, emphasized that it's a matter of personal choice, stating, "This is a matter of probability. It depends on how much risk you are willing to take."
Low Evaluation Despite Airline Efforts... Passengers Need to Make Wise Choices
Airlines regularly clean their water tanks. Under current U.S. law, airlines are required to disinfect and clean water tanks at least four times a year according to the 'Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR)'. Additionally, during one of the annual disinfections, monthly water quality tests are mandatory. However, critics point out that the effectiveness of these regulations is diminished because the EPA rarely imposes substantial penalties for violations.
In fact, a 2019 'Airline Water Study' published by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center found that 15 out of 11 major airlines and 12 regional airlines received low scores of 2 or less out of 5 for onboard drinking water safety.
In conclusion, while the risk of unsanitary conditions in onboard water tanks genuinely exists, problems do not necessarily occur every time. Some individuals might not be affected at all, but flight attendants who have seen the inside of the water tanks up close generally tend to be cautious. If flight attendants themselves avoid beverages they serve to passengers, it might be a signal for smart consumers to reconsider their choices. For your peace of mind during your flight, why not use this information to make a careful decision about your onboard beverages?
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