A flight attendant has revealed a shocking reason why you should avoid drinking coffee on an airplane—it’s not just about taste, but hygiene.
The dirty secret behind in-flight coffee
Kevin, a flight attendant for a major U.S. airline, took to TikTok to warn passengers against ordering hot drinks while flying.
His video was in response to a pilot’s revelation that aircraft water tanks are “rarely, if ever, cleaned.”
“They use this water to make coffee on board. I don’t even want to think about the mold and bacteria growing in those tanks,” the pilot cautioned.
Kevin agreed, but his concerns went even further—revealing an unsettling cleaning practice that could make you think twice before sipping that in-flight brew.
How flight attendants clean coffee pots—and why it’s a problem
According to Kevin, the real issue isn’t just the unclean water tanks—it’s how flight attendants dispose of leftover coffee.
Dumped in the toilet?
“For some reason, we’re not allowed to pour coffee down the sink. Instead, we’re required to dump it into the toilet,” Kevin explained.
The problem? To avoid making a mess, flight attendants often have to get uncomfortably close to the toilet while emptying the coffee pots.
“I can only imagine the backsplash of particles and bacteria going directly into the coffee pot—then right back into the coffee maker,” he warned.
Other flight attendants confirm the hygiene horror
Kevin’s claims sparked a wave of reactions, including confirmation from fellow flight attendants.
One commented:“FA here—can confirm we have to dump coffee in the TOILET. We’ve even had coffee machines shut down due to E. coli contamination in the water tank!”
Passengers were equally horrified. One shocked viewer wrote:“Noted—never drinking coffee on a plane again.”
Another demanded an industry-wide review:“Seriously, what the actual f**? This alone warrants a regulatory audit.”*
What should you drink instead?
If you’re craving caffeine on a flight, Kevin has one piece of advice: only order coffee if your airline has an onboard espresso machine.
Otherwise, stick to bottled beverages or bring your own travel-safe coffee alternative.
With over 726,000 views and counting, Kevin’s video is making travelers rethink their in-flight beverage choices.
Next time you fly, you might want to skip the coffee—and opt for a safer drink instead.