Skip the Coffee at 35,000 Feet!
March 10, 2026
“Think twice before reaching for your inflight coffee.”
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For many travelers, ordering a cup of coffee shortly after takeoff is part of the flying ritual. Yet recent reporting on airline water quality suggests passengers may want to think twice before sipping beverages made from onboard tap water. According to travel publication AFAR Media, researchers analyzing water quality data from several U.S. airlines found that contamination levels in aircraft water systems can vary widely depending on maintenance practices and testing results.
The concern centers on the water stored in aircraft tanks. Unlike municipal water systems that are continuously circulating and tightly monitored, airplane water tanks are filled at different airports and may sit unused between flights. According to the Airline Water Study, which evaluates compliance records and water quality testing data, some airlines score significantly better than others when it comes to maintaining clean water systems. The analysis reviewed federal testing data and airline practices and noted that bacterial indicators such as coliform bacteria have occasionally appeared in onboard water samples.
Because of this variability, many travel experts recommend avoiding beverages prepared with aircraft tap water. Coffee and tea served during flights are typically brewed using water from these onboard tanks, and ice placed in drinks may come from the same source. According to AFAR Media, the study’s findings have led some experts to suggest passengers stick with sealed bottled beverages instead.
The same caution can apply in the lavatory, since the water used for washing hands comes from the same onboard supply. For that reason, some travel health experts suggest using hand sanitizer after washing or relying on sanitizer alone during the flight. The overall risk is generally considered low, but as seasoned travelers know, a few simple precautions—like skipping the coffee and choosing bottled drinks—can make flying that much smoother at 35,000 feet.
See how the various airlines scored:
