A TikTok travel influencer has urged passengers to think twice before ordering coffee on a plane, raising concerns about the cleanliness of onboard water systems.
Kat Kamalani, a former flight attendant, claimed that water tanks on aircraft are rarely cleaned and questioned the hygiene of coffee-making equipment used during flights.
“The water tanks on planes are never cleaned and are really disgusting,” Kamalani said, as reported by Food & Wine. She recommended that passengers choose bottled or canned drinks instead of beverages made with water from the aircraft’s onboard water supply.
But is drinking coffee on a plane actually unsafe? The answer is more nuanced than simply avoiding all coffee during flights.
Why Is Aircraft Water Being Questioned?
A report from the nonprofit Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, cited by Fresh Cup, examined the quality of drinking water on US commercial aircraft using data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The research looked at water quality data from 10 major airlines and 11 regional airlines operating between 2022 and 2025. Each airline received a water safety score ranging from 0 to 5. A score above 3.50 was considered a passing grade.
The results varied considerably among airlines.
Among major airlines, Delta Air Lines scored 5.00, while Frontier Airlines scored 4.80. American Airlines recorded the lowest score among major carriers at 1.75.
The results were less encouraging for regional airlines. Only GoJet Airlines, with a score of 3.85, exceeded the passing threshold.
“Nearly all regional airlines need to improve onboard water safety, with the exception of GoJet Airlines,” Charles Platkin, director of the organization, was quoted as saying.
Should You Avoid Coffee and Tea on Flights?
The report recommends that passengers prioritize bottled water while flying. Coffee and tea prepared using water from an aircraft’s onboard tank may be worth avoiding if passengers are concerned about water quality.
The same report also raises concerns about using tap water in aircraft lavatories for activities such as washing hands. Passengers can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as an alternative. However, these findings highlight potential concerns about water quality rather than proving that every cup of coffee served on an airplane is unsafe.
In other words, passengers do not necessarily need to panic when offered coffee during a flight.
Dehydration Is Another Reason to Watch Your Coffee Intake
Water quality is not the only reason passengers may want to be cautious about coffee while flying.
Dehydration can also become an issue during air travel.
Aircraft cabins have relatively low humidity, while the pressurized environment and dry cabin air can contribute to fluid loss. The effect can become more noticeable during long-haul flights.
Kyle Staller of Harvard Medical School explained that passengers often do not drink enough water while flying, partly because beverages are served in relatively small cups.
He also noted that passengers can lose fluid simply by breathing dry cabin air.
This means staying hydrated should be a priority during a flight.
Does Coffee Really Cause Dehydration?
Coffee contains caffeine, which has a mild diuretic effect. In other words, caffeine can increase urine production. This is why coffee is sometimes associated with dehydration, particularly when someone is already not drinking enough fluids.
However, the situation is not quite that simple.
Research has shown that the fluid contained in coffee and tea still contributes to overall hydration. The diuretic effect of moderate caffeine consumption does not necessarily cancel out the fluid provided by the beverage.
Therefore, drinking a cup of coffee does not automatically mean you will become dehydrated.
The bigger concern during a flight is that passengers may rely too heavily on coffee or other caffeinated drinks while failing to drink enough water.
So, Can You Drink Coffee on a Plane?
Yes, you can still drink coffee on a plane, but it is worth taking a few precautions.
If you are concerned about the quality of water used to prepare beverages, choosing bottled or canned coffee can be a simple alternative.
More importantly, do not make coffee your primary source of fluids during a flight. Drink plenty of plain water as well, particularly on long-haul journeys.
A practical approach is to enjoy your coffee while making sure you also stay properly hydrated throughout the flight.
Key Takeaways for Air Travelers :
- Coffee on a plane is not automatically unsafe.
- If you are concerned about aircraft water quality, choose bottled or canned beverages.
- Drink plenty of plain water during the flight.
- Avoid relying on coffee or other caffeinated drinks as your main source of hydration.
- Consider using alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead of relying solely on aircraft lavatory tap water.
- On long flights, make hydration a priority because cabin air is typically very dry.
Ultimately, there is no need to completely give up your in-flight coffee. The key is to be mindful of where the water comes from and, more importantly, to make sure you are drinking enough water throughout your journey.
