If you’ve been reading OMAAT for any amount of time, you probably know that I’m a coffee enthusiast. I love coffee for many reasons — I like the taste, I like that good coffee can be a work of art, I like that it helps me wake up, and more than anything, enjoying a cup of coffee is ritualistic for me.
That brings me to an interesting question that I get asked all the time — isn’t it kind of disgusting to drink airplane coffee? I figured I’d address that in this post, and then I’m curious to see what y’all think.
In this post:
Yes, airplane coffee is made with tank water
No matter where you are, coffee is brewed with water. When on the ground, most of us either use tap water (if it’s safe to drink) or filtered water. On airplanes, coffee is brewed with water from the plane’s water tanks… which are probably kind of gross.
I’m sure the water is generally pretty clean when it enters the tanks, though as you’d expect, the tanks aren’t cleaned very often, and may have bacteria. For that matter, the coffee machines used to brew the coffee probably aren’t cleaned very often either.
Every so often there will be a viral story about how you shouldn’t drink coffee or tea on a plane. That can come in the form of some study about how much bacteria is found in airplane tanks, or sometimes it’s a TikTok video from a flight attendant about how you should never drink coffee or tea due to bacteria, as if they’re a medical expert.
Why I still drink coffee on airplanes (reluctantly)
Before I share my take, let me acknowledge that I’m not a scientist, and for that matter, I’m not even good at science (it was my weakest subject in school… well, assuming PE doesn’t count as a subject). Let me also state that I consider myself to be a bit of a germaphobe, but I manage to apply that selectively, which is probably a good thing.
With that in mind, I admit that I do drink filtered coffee on airplanes, but only if it’s the only coffee option. It goes without saying that filtered airplane coffee rarely actually tastes great, but I consider it to be better than nothing. How do I rationalize drinking it?
First of all, I’m not too worried about the bacteria. Most studies I’ve seen about bacteria in airplane tanks suggests that it doesn’t pose any health risks and isn’t actually dangerous. I’d think that the temperature to which the water is heated during the brewing process reduces any risk even more. You’d think that if there were any real risk to drinking airplane coffee, you’d hear a lot more stories of people getting sick from it.
Second of all, what else am I going to drink? I drink a ton of water, and at times I just need a different flavor. Airplane juice (almost always from concentrate, and super sugary) is disgusting, in my opinion. Meanwhile I’m usually not looking to drink alcohol (especially as a substitute for coffee!), and soda isn’t exactly good for you, so that doesn’t leave many options.
That being said, let me acknowledge that I don’t love the idea of drinking filtered airplane coffee, simply because it usually doesn’t taste great, and it does also sorta kinda freak me out.
So, what are the alternatives? Well, I appreciate when airlines put some thought into their non-alcoholic drinks. Many top airlines serve espresso-based drinks in first and business class, which I far prefer. Cappuccinos are made with milk rather than water, so you’re consuming a lot less water from the tank (just the small amount from the espresso shot).
I also appreciate when airlines offer a proper cold brew or iced coffee, since that comes out of a bottle, rather than from the coffee machine. For example, United serves cold brew systemwide, while Delta serves cold brew on select routes. I wish we’d see more airlines offer this.
I know some people say “well just bring coffee from the terminal.” I’ve never been a fan of that, personally. I find boarding with a cup of coffee to be a pain, and I feel like half the time a cup of coffee gets spilled during boarding. I’ll gladly have a cup of coffee on the ground (like in a lounge), but I’m not into carrying coffee onboard.
Bottom line
I’m kind of grossed out by airplane coffee, but I still drink it, and try to just not think about it too much.
Yes, airplane coffee is made with water from a plane’s tanks, which isn’t cleaned very often. On top of that, the coffee machines aren’t cleaned very often. Furthermore, many airlines don’t invest much in having good coffee, so when you add it all up, drinking coffee in the air often isn’t much of a pleasure.
Still, I like coffee, and I drink it on planes. I do what I can to drink espresso-based drinks or cold brew, when offered (which some airlines have in premium cabins), but worst case scenario I’m also happy to have coffee. I just try not to think about it too much.
Where do you stand on airplane coffee? Gross or no? And regardless, do you drink it?
@Ben
I hate to break it to you but cappuccinos use water as well. Made properly steam (which would probably kill most germs) is pressed through the beans, then steam is used to heat and froth the milk, then espresso and milk is combined.
Most airlines don't actually have an espresso maker, nor milk steamer onboard, so it is just an instant coffee product where hot water is added to powder.
But either way,...
@Ben
I hate to break it to you but cappuccinos use water as well. Made properly steam (which would probably kill most germs) is pressed through the beans, then steam is used to heat and froth the milk, then espresso and milk is combined.
Most airlines don't actually have an espresso maker, nor milk steamer onboard, so it is just an instant coffee product where hot water is added to powder.
But either way, your cappuccino does not save you from tank water on an aircraft.
I've spent decades in the restaurant and brewing industries. Knowing that the same health and safety rules apply to airline catering, including water tanks on planes, tells me that most people drinking airplane coffee are drinking coffee that's cleaner than what they're drinking at home.
If you drink coffee at home, ask yourself when you last cleaned (vs rinsed) the reservoir on your coffee maker. If you don't have a schedule for it, just...
I've spent decades in the restaurant and brewing industries. Knowing that the same health and safety rules apply to airline catering, including water tanks on planes, tells me that most people drinking airplane coffee are drinking coffee that's cleaner than what they're drinking at home.
If you drink coffee at home, ask yourself when you last cleaned (vs rinsed) the reservoir on your coffee maker. If you don't have a schedule for it, just shut up about airplane coffee.
As an airline employee, I can tell you that the water used to make coffee/etc on planes is filthy. I’ve seen the empty water tanks covered with green slime that are reused over and over again.
What was/is you role as an airline employee
Airport Ops for 2 major airlines (contracted, so I work for more than one). I work in several areas from ticketing, gates/boarding, aircraft turn around/cleaning, jet bridge operator, BSO, etc.
That makes no sense. The water for the plane comes from a hose that is attached to the same water as provided to the faucets in the terminal. There are no “tanks” of water anywhere.
Everything, from the bottled water you drink all the way to the surface of your eyeballs that are looking at this comment right now is covered with microorganisms. We have evolved in this environment. The idea that someone would not drink airplane coffee out of a fear of "bacteria" makes me sad about the state of science education.
Best airplane coffee I've had is hands down Vietnam Airlines Vietnamese Iced coffee!
Better taste and quality it seemed like, than any Starbucks branch
If the tanks were that bad then we would have more stories of people being sick
I’m an airline employee. It’s true, the tanks are disgusting and covered with green slime. You won’t see flight crews drinking it.
I do not drink tea or coffee on planes anymore after I read a similar article from a flight attendant 10 years ago.
As far I recall the water out of the tanks is not really boiled hot and long enough to eradicate all the bacteria from the tank water.
I rather drink a coffee at the airport or I buy one to take with me on the plane. Otherwise I omit any beverages that are not bottled while being on the plane.
To add some more information:
Proof from experts (in German) that a plane's coffee machine will *not* be sufficient to kill microorganisms in the water: https://www.haw-hamburg.de/detail/news/news/show/kontamination-des-trinkwassers-in-flugzeugen/
Oh, and if you want to check on the plane you are flying: The US carriers need to log their maintenance on the water tanks.
https://sdwis.epa.gov/ords/arcs/f?p=130:109
It may be a little extreme to call juice from concentrate "disgusting," but then I grew up on it in Minnesota 40 years ago.
everything you said is true
I'm not a scientist or good at science either. You don't need to be to know when the water is heated, the bacteria is killed off.
this is so not an issue just bored social media people trying to make catchy content...
I enjoy my airplane coffee, I ask for one a half hour before we land. FA always happy to accommodate.
enjoy life ! YOLO
Sometimes just the smell of fresh brewed coffee makes a believer out of me that it’s brewed under the best conditions.
Spitting it all over the place is gross lol
Drinking it is just fine.
I got food poisoning on AA F TATL when AA cooked "eggs to order" (unimaginable in this century). If you have not contacted COVID in the terminal or dysentery from the lavs, this is the least of your worries.
On some flights in Australia at least, I've seen the coffees made with bottled water so there's that. It's not particularly difficult to do so. Tip water in kettle, boil water.
But then I remembered kettles aren't really a thing in the US.
MORE COLD BREW!
YES!!!!!!!!!
It's those who are not regularly exposed to a wide variety of bacteria and viruses who have health problems. The immune system works best when continuously challenged. Personally when I hear of a new cold/flu going round, my first thought is how can I get that added to my memory T cell repertoire - the natural way !
I'm more worried about hotel room coffee rooms.
As you should be. People frequently refill the water tank using the same mug they used to down their coffee, etc etc.
This topic has been flogged to death because Ben has posted it over and over, with only minor variations on the theme.
Slow flying news day?
If I wake up, and tank water coffee is in front of me, oh yes. But I might also drink puddle water at that point. We do what needs must.
As I see people drive around at 75 mph staring at their phones, going out and eating disgusting drive-thru food every day, sitting around for hours at a time doomscrolling, vaping, taking edibles made by god knows who, binge drinking alcohol, carrying around handguns like we're in the Wild West, any number of modern vices or habits, the potential of getting sick from trace amounts of airplane water tank contamination just doesn't rise to the...
As I see people drive around at 75 mph staring at their phones, going out and eating disgusting drive-thru food every day, sitting around for hours at a time doomscrolling, vaping, taking edibles made by god knows who, binge drinking alcohol, carrying around handguns like we're in the Wild West, any number of modern vices or habits, the potential of getting sick from trace amounts of airplane water tank contamination just doesn't rise to the level of alarm for me.
But that's just me.
I often see the flight attendants drinking the coffee, so I'm not too worried about drinking it, too.
Airline coffee is usually very poor in taste. Flights are about the only time that I will drink hot tea.
I love coffee but not when flying because I am usually burned out and need to rest. And no, decaf is not an option for me. However, there are always exceptions to the rules and I have to admit that QR serves an excellent cappuccino! I think Ben has showcased one in a previous trip report and that may explain, at least partially l, why he doesn't sleep much on planes
:)
Aegean coffee tastes great
Plane tanks are probably in better shape than whatever's going on in the water pipes under my house. In any case it's hot water too
I've thought...how costly/difficult is it to load a few extra water bottles and use that instead of tank water? United could make a splash saying they have their Illy onboard coffee brewed with bottled water vs gross tank water. I'm not an Illy fan but its still miles ahead of AA's freshbrew which I won't even touch.
When I flew in Australia about 12 years ago, they wouldn't let me board with coffee. Have other people experienced this?
I get a take-away coffee when leaving the Qantas lounge and there’s never a problem with taking it onboard.
Hot coffee is considered a hazard but generally if there's a lid on it the crews will look the other way.
As they say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Drink away!
Search Engine did a full investigation on this. In short, don't stress on it. https://www.audacy.com/national/music/is-it-safe-to-drink-airplane-coffee-listen-now
On a side note, AA has been very proactive with their pre-departure beverages, even on CRJ Eagle flights from Tyler to Dallas.
No, AA coffee is great! Drink every single time!
I usually get the biggest water bottle at the departing airport possible and just get a coffee when arriving either from the Selecta coffee machines at European airports or cafes.
I agree with what you said. I find very little airplane coffee good, though I think I had a good cup on SW once, and some of the Asian airlines put an effort into their coffee choices. I fly Delta, mostly, and they serve Staryucks, both in the lounges, and onboard. I just cannot do it. It is aweful! If I can hold out for a local coffee spot when I arrive, that is what I do.
Water is safe. Check out the explanation by an actual airline maintenance engineer.
https://youtu.be/P2nuoPGm5n8?si=t09y7qCk1mKuIZiG
How many often do people get sick from drinking airplane coffee? That’s what it all comes down to.
Far fewer than those eating Delta economy meals.
… too soon?
The reason I don’t drink coffee in airplanes is because I can’t find good coffee on airplanes.
Nothing to do with the water but I only drink espresso, latte or cappuccino and none of those will be good on airplanes. As for what I drink alternatively to water? Sparkling water. Yes, it is still water but it feels different. I can hold a few hours to wait for real coffee when I land.
Seems like I basically have the same opinion as you, Ben. I did quite enjoy trying Alaska’s new Stumptown coffee but generally airplane coffee is tolerated albeit not truly enjoyed.
Honestly, this is just more reason for airplanes to stock cold brew or canned ice coffee as one of their beverage options, as you have mentioned multiple times. Seems like that would also utilize less crew resources.
“ Is It Gross To Drink Airplane Coffee?”
Yes.
Q.E.D.
And yet it seems most commentors here don't find it gross to eat buffet-style lounge food despite the fact that if you spent even 5-10 minutes seated nearby the buffet at your average SkyClub you'd notice an abundance of potential safety concerns including people re-using plates with shared serving utensils sometimes touching said plates, people coughing in the vicinity of the food, etc etc.
Also keep in mind these are actual safety concerns, as opposed...
And yet it seems most commentors here don't find it gross to eat buffet-style lounge food despite the fact that if you spent even 5-10 minutes seated nearby the buffet at your average SkyClub you'd notice an abundance of potential safety concerns including people re-using plates with shared serving utensils sometimes touching said plates, people coughing in the vicinity of the food, etc etc.
Also keep in mind these are actual safety concerns, as opposed to boiled water...