Former flight attendant Kat Kamalani has issued a stark warning to air travellers: avoid drinking coffee, tea, or any water on a plane unless it comes from a sealed bottle or can. In a viral video, she explains that the water tanks used to make hot drinks are rarely cleaned and can harbour bacteria.
Kamalani, who worked as cabin crew, said: 'Those water tanks are never cleaned, and they are disgusting.' She added that the coffee machines are seldom cleaned unless they break down, and that the equipment is often stored near lavatories. Travel experts from Ski Vertigo have backed her advice, recommending that passengers buy drinks at the airport instead.
For parents travelling with babies, Kamalani suggests a safer alternative to using hot water from the plane. 'Never ask for hot water and put it in your baby's bottle,' she said. 'Ask for a bottle of water on the side and hot water in a cup. Then make your baby a bottle with the bottled water and put it in the cup and heat it up.'
The warning extends to all drinks made from the aircraft's tap water, including tea, coffee, and even ice, which is often made from the same supply. Kamalani advises sticking to drinks that come in sealed containers, such as bottled water, canned soft drinks, or cartoned juice.
While airlines insist they follow safety standards, insiders argue that once water travels through the plane's tanks and pipes, its cleanliness cannot be guaranteed. This is especially concerning for pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, and young children.
