Flight Attendants and Pilots Reveal Why They Avoid Coffee on Flights

April 26, 2025 | 04:46 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Passengers on flights are typically offered a range of beverages, including coffee. For many, a cup of coffee during a flight can be soothing and help ease fatigue.

However, for flight attendants and pilots, coffee is often the drink they avoid the most.

Flight attendant Leanna Coy described airplane coffee as "revolting". Explaining her stance, she said,

"I think we all know by now that ordering coffee on a plane is a little bit sketchy," in a TikTok video. She reinforced her point by adding a green vomit emoji to express her disgust.

A similar sentiment was shared by Kevin, a former flight attendant who now works as a commercial pilot in the United States.

According to him, the disgusting thing is the fact that the aircraft's water tanks are rarely cleaned while still in use

"They use this water to make coffee on board. I don't want to think about the mold and bacteria growing in those tanks," the pilot said.

But apart from that, there is another reason why he feels uncomfortable with coffee on the plane. Flight attendants always clean the coffee pot by pouring its contents into the airplane toilet, making the coffee pot's spout too close to the dirty bathroom.

"I imagine that there's some kind of backsplash of particles or bacteria that goes directly into the coffee pot, which gets right back into the coffee maker." said Kevin.

First Officer Paul Janowicz, an experienced pilot with Delta Air Lines, even places coffee as one of the top five light drinks that passengers should avoid after takeoff, even though this drink is very enjoyable to consume in the morning. However, Paul has a different reason.

"The caffeine in coffee will dehydrate you in an already dehydrating cabin environment," he said. Additionally, coffee can make it harder for passengers to fall asleep.

Other beverages that are also not recommended during flights include soda and alcohol. Alcohol, in particular, can contribute to dehydration, which is why experts advise limiting its consumption.

Lisa Valente, a nutrition specialist at Healthline, suggests choosing fresh fruit juice and plain water to drink on the plane. Many people are starting to understand this and bring their own bottles when boarding.

"I love plain water on a plane,” she said. "It’s hydrating and always a good choice."

NEW YORK POST

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