Never order coffee on a plane — flight attendant reveals the reason behind it

Airlines usually offer a variety of beverages for passengers to choose from, and many people think that having a cup of coffee is the best option. However, a flight attendant recently revealed that it’s better to avoid ordering coffee, as the water used to brew it comes from the same source as the water used to flush toilets — and there are concerns about E. coli contamination.

According to the New York Daily News, a flight attendant from a U.S. airline anonymously revealed to the well-known North American magazine VICE that the coffee served on planes is actually quite bad, because the water used to brew it comes from the same system as the water used to flush the toilets.

The flight attendant also pointed out, “We recently tested our own water supply for E. coli, and the results were not up to standard. But after some buttons were pressed by the aircraft maintenance crew, the water passed the test.” Therefore, she ultimately advised that people should also try to avoid hot water or hot tea, and opt for canned drinks or bottled water with sealed caps provided on the plane — which are comparatively more hygienic choices.

When asked about the “coffee warning,” Alison McAfee, a spokesperson for a U.S. airline, said she would not comment on that particular statement, but added, “The safety of passengers and crew remains the airline’s top priority, which includes providing clean drinking water.”