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The answer may not be what you think.
Key Points
- A flight attendant says concerns about airplane coffee are often overstated, though water quality can vary by airline and coffee pot cleanliness may differ by crew.
- Sealed beverages are the safest choice for travelers who are concerned about onboard water quality, while opinions on ice remain mixed.
- Flight attendants say alcohol deserves the most caution because cabin conditions can increase dehydration and make its effects feel stronger.
The beverage cart may be one of air travel’s simplest pleasures.
While seatback televisions, music, and books can keep you entertained, there’s nothing like a refreshing drink to remedy the dry mouth that comes with being confined to a pressurized metal tube for a few hours.
But there is one drink order that raises eyebrows, even among the flight attendants who serve it: coffee.
“Coffee has certainly topped the list of ‘do not order’ items on a plane,” confirmed an anonymous American Airlines flight attendant in an email to Travel + Leisure. “That said, its negative reputation does come with a bit of misinformation.”
The case against a cup o’ joe is often twofold: The water used to make the coffee is supposedly taken from a “contaminated” onboard tank, resulting in poor taste and quality. Coffee pots are also allegedly inconsistently cleaned.
“To address the first issue, airplane water is regularly potable, tested, and should be completely fine,” the American Airlines source shared. “It can, however, smell a bit chlorine-like and funky, which can be off-putting for many java snobs … I suppose that your safest bet is to stick to sealed beverages, if you can.”
The Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity released a 2026 Airline Water Study that revealed that “quality of drinking water varies significantly by airline,” and some airlines continue to serve passengers “potentially unhealthy water.”
And the ice that goes into that midflight cocktail, which is also met with trepidation from many health-minded travelers? “It is filtered, bagged, and delivered by catering, so it’s perfectly fine,” he noted. That said, some studies have found that ice may contain bacteria, so it may be safer to drink a room-temperature beverage.
Regarding the lack of coffee pot cleaning, the source explained that this oversight should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. “I always clean the coffee pots and thermals myself, so I don’t see an issue there,” he said. “But I can imagine that it’s something that others may easily overlook, especially on busier flights where staff are rushing to accommodate all passengers in a short window of time.”
The number one drink he does recommend sipping with caution? Alcohol.
“Alcohol hits harder and dehydrates you faster in a dry pressurized cabin,” he claimed. “My best advice is to stay hydrated and consider what you've drunk in the last 24 hours. But if you’re traveling for a special occasion, feel free to treat yourself and indulge.”
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
