A flight attendant with over a decade of experience has advised passengers to avoid sweet beverages when flying, warning that they can lead to a 'rough' time upon landing. Speaking anonymously on the Other People's Lives podcast, the cabin crew member said: 'I would suggest not [drinking] anything sweet because it's really rough when you get on the ground.'
The warning was echoed by registered dietitian nutritionist Kezia Joy, who explained that sweet drinks can exacerbate dehydration caused by the dry cabin air. 'While sugary beverages will quench one's thirst, they are not as effective at hydrating as pure water,' she said, noting that passengers may experience fatigue and excessive thirst on longer flights.
The flight attendant also addressed concerns about tea and coffee, which are made with tap water from aircraft tanks. She insisted that the tanks are cleaned regularly, though she acknowledged that some travellers remain wary due to past E. Coli contamination incidents. 'We drink coffee on the plane all the time and everything's fine,' she said.
However, another flight attendant, Sue Fogwell, advised against drinking tap water altogether. Speaking to Travel + Leisure, she said: 'I never drank the tap water. Coffee and tea are made with tap water, which comes from the airplane's water tanks.' She recommended buying coffee in the terminal or opting for canned drinks like Coke or Pepsi instead.
