Why You Should Think Twice Before Ordering Tea Or Coffee On A Plane

When it comes to air travel, we often seek comfort in a nice cup of tea or coffee to rejuvenate ourselves. However, a closer look at the water source might make you reconsider your in-flight beverage choices. The water used for brewing tea and coffee on planes doesn't always have the cleanest record and it might be best to opt for bottled options instead.

While the prospect of a warm beverage during a flight is inviting, it's essential to understand where the water used for these drinks comes from. According to NBC 5, the water used for making tea and coffee on planes isn't bottled water; it's tap water. This revelation has led some experts to express concerns about the quality and safety of the water that goes into in-flight beverages.

A TikTok video by flight attendant Kat Kamalani offered insight into the practices of many airline crew members. She revealed that most of them avoid drinking beverages made from the plane's water source. This hesitation stems from a worrying issue that has come to light through a study conducted by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center.

The study delved into the quality of drinking water on various airlines, examining 11 international airlines and 12 regional US airlines. Shockingly, the results showed that seven of the international airlines and nearly all of the regional airlines had poor water quality due to the presence of bacteria. The water, which is sourced from the tap, tends to get contaminated during transit.

The contamination occurs because the water storage and transport systems often harbor more microorganisms than the water's original source. This contamination raises concerns about the safety of the beverages made from it, particularly tea and coffee that require hot water.

As a result of these findings, experts from the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and DietDetective strongly advise against drinking tap water on board. They recommend sticking to beverages that come in sealed bottles to ensure safety during your flight.

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