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Skip Coffee on Your Next Flight - A Smart Travel Tip for 2026 and Beyond


No Inflight Coffee
No Inflight Coffee

If coffee is part of your pre-landing ritual, this might surprise you.

A newly released 2026 Airline Water Study has raised serious concerns about the quality of water used onboard commercial aircraft — and the findings are unsettling enough that the nonprofit health organization behind the research is urging travelers to rethink more than just in-flight coffee.

Yes… even washing your hands in the airplane bathroom sink.

Let’s break down what the study found — and what you should do instead.


What the Airline Water Study Looked At

Over a three-year period, researchers tested 21 major and regional airlines, evaluating onboard water for bacteria and compliance with federal safety standards.

The result? Some airlines performed very well. Others… did not.

In several cases, researchers found bacteria and even E. coli violations — prompting unusually strong guidance from the study’s authors.


The Big Recommendation (This Is the Headline)

Avoid any onboard water that is not sealed and bottled.

That includes:

  • Coffee

  • Tea

  • Hot water

  • Ice

  • And yes — even sink water in airplane restrooms

Instead, the study recommends using hand sanitizer rather than washing your hands with onboard tap water. It’s not something we love hearing — but it is something worth knowing.


Airline Water Safety Scores (At a Glance)

(5.00 = highest rating | 0.00 = lowest)

🟢 Top Performers

  • Delta Air Lines — 5.00 (Grade A)

  • Frontier Airlines — 4.80 (Grade A)

🟡 Middle of the Pack

  • Alaska Airlines — 3.85 (Grade B)

  • Allegiant Air — 3.65 (Grade B)

  • Southwest Airlines — 3.30 (Grade C)

  • Hawaiian Airlines — 3.15 (Grade C)

  • United Airlines — 2.70 (Grade C)

🔴 Lowest Scores

  • Spirit Airlines — 2.05 (Grade D)

  • JetBlue — 1.80 (Grade D)

  • American Airlines — 1.75 (Grade D)

🚫 Regional Airlines With the Worst Results

  • Mesa Airlines

  • CommuteAir


What This Means for Travelers (Especially Our Lindsey Adventures Family)

At Lindsey Adventures, we don’t believe in panic — we believe in preparation. This study doesn’t mean flying is unsafe.It does mean travelers should make a few simple adjustments:

Smart In-Flight Habits

✔️ Bring your own refillable bottle — fill it after security

✔️ Stick to sealed bottled beverages on the plane

✔️ Skip coffee and tea until you land

✔️ Carry hand sanitizer in your personal item

Small changes. Big peace of mind.


Final Thought

Travel should expand your world — not upset your stomach.

Knowing what to skip and how to prepare allows you to focus on what really matters: the journey, the people, and the memories waiting on the other side of the flight. And don’t worry — there’s great coffee waiting for you when you land. ☕😉

 
 
 

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