“Flight attendants will not drink hot water on the plane. They will not drink plain coffee, and they will not drink plain tea,” one flight attendant told Business Insider in February. Why the self-imposed ban on delicious warm beverages?
As NBC 5 noted, the water for tea and coffee comes from the tap, not from a bottle, while in flight. And that water could be downright disgusting. According to a 2004 EPA sample of 158 planes, 13 percent contained coliform. Two of the airplanes were found to have dangerous E.coli in the water. And as Business Insider reported, an additional EPA study found that one in every eight planes fails the agency’s standards for water safety.
The bacteria is likely delivered while the water is in transit, NBC reported. According to a 2015 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, more microorganisms exist in the transport vehicles than in the water’s original source, thus transferring the organisms from truck to plane.
I – Word Understanding
Self-imposed – decided by a person/group/company, not by others
Coliform / E. coli – bacteria that occur throughout the environment
Downright – totally
II – Have Your Say
1. What drinks do you usually order during flights?
2. Are you always satisfied with airline meals and their other services?
3. Aside from food, what are your other concerns when taking a flight?
4. Is it safe to drink tap water in your area? What are your alternatives?
620 Why You Should Think Twice Before Ordering Coffee or Tea on a Plane
