Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Doctor Warns About Drinking Plane Water
Dr. Huma Shaikh, a doctor, says that the water used for making tea and coffee on planes might not be safe to drink.
The water comes from a tank inside the plane, which can be hard to clean and may contain bacteria.
Even though the water is heated, it doesn't get hot enough to kill all the bacteria.
Dr. Shaikh advises that while you probably won't get very sick, it's better to drink bottled water to stay safe.
She suggests being smart about staying hydrated while traveling.
The water used for tea and coffee on planes comes from a storage tank inside the aircraft.
The water tanks are difficult to clean and can contain bacteria and biofilm.
The water is only heated to 70-80 degrees, which is not hot enough to kill all bacteria.
Dr. Huma Shaikh advises drinking bottled water to avoid potential health risks.
While the risk of serious illness is low, it's better to be cautious with your hydration on planes.
- Who
- Dr. Huma Shaikh, a general practitioner
- What
- Warning about the safety of drinking water on planes
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- On airplanes
- Why
- Due to potential bacteria and biofilm in the water tanks
- Source of Water
- Storage tank inside the aircraft
- Water Temperature
- 70 to 80 degrees
- Bacteria Found
- Coliforms and biofilm layers
- Recommended Alternative
- Bottled water
- Expert
- Dr. Huma Shaikh, General Practitioner