Should you avoid hot tea and coffee on airplanes? 3 things airlines won’t tell you

▲Pay attention to hygiene issues with the tray tables. (Photo / Daily Pictorial / Illustration)

By Rita

The airplane environment is generally unfamiliar to most people and can be even easier to overlook while traveling. Former flight attendant Allison Hope reveals the dark side of air travel—everyday things we take for granted may actually carry significant risks. Find out where these hidden dangers lie inthe report compiled by the UK’s Daily Mail, though these opinions are for reference only and may not necessarily apply to every airline.

1. Avoid most foods except sealed ones
Allison Hope also emphasized that this doesn’t apply to all airlines, and international routes known for their in-flight meals are exceptions. Also, try to avoid post-meal drinks and coffee, as her reasoning is thatthe containers used for these hot beverages are usually very hard to clean and may harbor a lot of bacteria.

2. Always wipe down tray tables with alcohol
Before eating, passengers should use antibacterial wipes to clean the tray tables as much as possible, as they may be contaminated with feces and other unpleasant substances, since some mothers often change their babies’ diapers on them.

3. Be prepared for dirty and disgusting sights
Being in a confined space with hundreds of strangers means you’re likely to witness some unpleasant scenes, such as people vomiting from too much alcohol. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise if someone dies on a flight—it happens more often than you think.

She also said that although planes undergo routine maintenance checks, some issues are not addressed until they pose serious risks.