However, several major carriers didn’t fare as well. Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and American Airlines all failed to meet the study’s water safety standards. Among the major airlines, American Airlines had the lowest water safety score at just 1.75.
Can You Drink Water on an Airplane?
While most water served directly to passengers comes from sealed bottles and is generally safe to drink, items like coffee, tea, and even ice are often made using the plane’s tap water—and that’s where experts advise caution. According to the study, it’s best to avoid drinks that contain tap water whenever possible, meaning you should skip coffee and tea, and opt for sealed, bottled beverages—without ice—instead.
In fact, the best solution is to bring your own water onboard. Pack an empty reusable water bottle in your carry-on, then fill it at a water refill station inside the airport before boarding your flight.
