In a TikTok video with over 500,000 likes, a flight attendant and travel influencer exposes the popular complementary beverages you should avoid on an airplane and why.
Airlines have been stepping up their game when it comes to in-flight menus, though this sometimes comes with an inflated cost.
Still, staples like water, tea, coffee and juice are free and reliable on long-haul flights. But one flight attendant has warned against consuming some of these beverages mid-flight.
Kat Kamalani, who gained prominence on social media by sharing little-known travel hacks and tips, has issued a stark warning to her followers, as previously reported by The Mirror. In a TikTok video that has earned over half a million likes, Kat advises: “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.”
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She explains that this is because of the hygiene and cleanliness around the plane’s water tanks. “Those water tanks are never cleaned and they are disgusting. Talk to a flight attendant,” says Kat.
She also says while you may be desperate for a coffee or tea – even if it is subpar – it’s best to steer clear. “We rarely rarely drink the coffee or tea. They come from the same water tank. And so when you’re drinking that coffee and tea come from that hot water and it’s absolutely disgusting.”
Kat also points out that the coffee machines are rarely sanitised unless they malfunction. “These little coffee guys, they are rarely cleaned unless they are broken,” she said. “These guys are taken out and cleaned in between flights, but the whole machine is never cleaned and they’re by the lavatories.”
For parents and guardians, Kat urges them to “never ever” ask for hot water for their baby’s formula but provides a smart alternative. “Pro tip for all you parents: 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.” She continues: “Then make your baby a bottle with the bottled water. Put it in the cup and heat it up.”
The TikTok video received a wide range of mixed reactions, including shock and disgust from frequent flyers. Heading to the comment section, viewers debated Kat’s revelations and advice and joked about the quality of airplane beverages. One user wrote: ” Ah that’s why my hot chocolate was rank.”
The safety of water on a plane depends on the cleanliness of the tank, the quality of the water that was loaded, and the maintenance practices of the airline. There have been concerns and studies about the microbiological quality of tap water served on planes over the years.
If you are really keen on a coffee, some airlines let your bring hot drinks onto a plane with some stipulations. For example, easyJet permits passengers to bring hot drinks into the cabin as long as they have been purchased at the airport and have the lid on.
Additionally, if you are concerned about the safety of the water for your baby’s formula, know the liquid limit on many airlines does not apply to baby products. According to easyJet, the 100mL LAG limit does not apply to baby food, milk or sterilised water, though there is a maximum limit of 2 litres.
But keep in mind, you may be asked to taste these foods for security reasons and you should check with cabin crews about how to warm up milk if necessary.