Former flight attendant Kat Kamalani has a serious warning for every passenger hopping onboard a plane, urging them to avoid on specific drink or face the potential consequences
Most of us barely give it a second thought when the trolley rattles down the aisle and a flight attendant offers a hot drink.
A cup of tea or coffee feels like a small reward after the hassle of airport security and squeezing into a narrow seat. But former flight attendant Kat Kamalani has a warning for every passenger: try to avoid drinking coffee, tea, or any water on a plane unless it comes in a sealed bottle or can.
She shared a clip on her Instagram account in which she issues a general warning to passengers. She explains: “Don’t you ever, ever, ever consume these products from an airplane, from a flight attendant. Rule number one: never consume any liquid that is not in a can or a bottle.”
Travel experts Ski Vertigo back this up, advising travellers to buy drinks at the airport instead. Not only does this avoid the unpleasant risks, but it can also be cheaper, especially on charter flights.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]
READ MORE: TUI tourist denied boarding Thailand flight due to ‘stamp smudge’ on passportREAD MORE: Luggage trick using one free sticker means your bag will come off the carousel first
In her viral video, Kat reveals a side of in-flight drinks that many travellers don’t know about. She explains: “Those water tanks are never cleaned, and they are disgusting.” Many flight crews “rarely, rarely drink the coffee or tea” served on board because it all comes from the same water tank. These little coffee guys (coffee machines) are rarely cleaned unless they are broken. These guys (coffee kettles) are taken out and cleaned in between flights, but the whole machine is never cleaned. And they’re in the lavatories.”
She also suggests that parents should avoid asking for hot water to put in a baby’s bottle, although not doing so could prove very inconvenient.
While airlines insist they follow safety standards, once water travels through the aircraft’s tanks and pipes, it’s hard to guarantee it’s clean. That’s why experts and insiders now strongly suggest avoiding hot drinks made from tank water, especially if you’re pregnant, have a weaker immune system, or are travelling with young children.
Kat’s advice for parents is simple. She says: “Never ask for hot water and put it in your baby’s bottle. Ask for a bottle of water on the side and hot water in a cup. Then make your baby a bottle with the bottled water and put it in the cup and heat it up.”
For adults, Kat’s warning is just as clear: if your drink didn’t come from a sealed bottle or can, think twice before drinking it. The best approach is to stick to drinks that never go near the aircraft’s tanks, bottled water, canned soft drinks, or juice—and say no to tea, coffee, and even ice, which is often made from the same tap water.