A flight attendant with a decade of experience across multiple airlines has advised passengers to avoid sugary beverages during flights, warning they can leave travellers feeling 'rough' upon landing. Speaking anonymously on the Other People's Lives podcast, the cabin crew member urged reconsideration of sweet drinks.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Kezia Joy explained that sugary drinks exacerbate dehydration caused by dry cabin air. 'Sweet drinks may be particularly impactful on passengers during a flight because air travel itself tends to disrupt the body's normal hydration and metabolic processes,' she said, adding that such beverages are less effective at hydrating than water and can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and excessive thirst on longer flights.
Regarding tea and coffee, the flight attendant dismissed concerns about water quality, noting that aircraft water tanks are cleaned regularly. 'Listen, we drink coffee on the plane all the time and everything's fine,' she stated. However, another crew member, Sue Fogwell, advised against tap water entirely, recommending passengers buy coffee in the terminal or opt for canned soft drinks instead.
