"Flight Attendants All Know"…The 'Dirty Secret' of In-Flight Coffee

US Pilot Raises Possibility of Contamination in Airplane Water Tanks

A pilot from a U.S. airline introduced foods to be cautious about consuming on board and warned of a 'dirty secret.'

On the 17th (local time), according to the New York Post, Paul Yanovitz, a pilot and first officer at Delta Air Lines, pointed out five foods to be cautious about on airplanes: alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and fried foods. He said, "While it might be good for early morning flights, the caffeine in coffee can cause (more severe) dehydration in the already dehydrating cabin environment."

In-flight related image (unrelated to the article content). [Image source=Pixabay]

In particular, he noted, "Food safety experts and flight attendants all know the 'dirty secret' of coffee." He said, "The (airplane) tank water used for coffee and tea sold on planes may be contaminated." Previously, in 2013, the U.S. broadcaster NBC reported that the water used for coffee or tea on planes comes from faucets connected to the airplane's water tanks.

One flight attendant claimed on their TikTok account, "The airplane's water tanks are not cleaned regularly," and added, "Ask the flight attendants. We hardly drink coffee or tea."

Yanovitz said, "Alcohol causes dehydration symptoms and can induce drowsiness and fatigue after flying," adding, "Due to pressure changes in the cabin, people become intoxicated faster during flights than on the ground." Regarding carbonated drinks, he explained, "It is better to avoid them because of the risk of gas and abdominal bloating."