Recently, a flight attendant named Kat Kamalani made a TikTok to convince people never to ask for anything on a plane that has hot water.
Suggesting only canned or bottled beverages, Kat said that most flight attendants rarely drink coffee or tea on planes themselves, since both are made with the same hot water from the coffee maker machines which, according to her, “are rarely cleaned unless they are broken.”
Her video has received nearly 3 million views, and people have been discussing this topic ever since it aired.
More info: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
@katkamalaniJust promise me you won’t 🤢 ##flightattendantlife ##travelhacks ##traveler ##cleaninghacks ##influencers ##foodhack♬ original sound – Kat Kamalani
Flight attendant Kat Kamalani thinks passengers should never ask for anything on a plane that has hot water
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
“I’ve been a flight attendant for almost 6 years!” Kat told Bored Panda. “You just learn these things while flying for your job”
“I would advise people to try to bring their own water and snacks if they are flying! Especially if they have a certain diet restriction.”
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
Image credits: Kat Kamalani
An aircraft flies to numerous destinations and may pump drinking water into its tanks from different sources at both domestic and international locations. The water quality onboard also depends on the safety of the equipment used to transfer the water, such as water cabinets, trucks, carts, and hoses.
Unhealthy water violates the federal government’s Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR), which was implemented in 2011 and requires airlines to provide passengers and flight crew with safe drinking water.
And it appears to be working. The number of ADWR violations by all airlines in 2018 was significantly less than the number in 2012, the first year after the ADWR was enacted. For major airlines, violations have decreased 69% (262 to 81), while violations among regional airlines have decreased 71% (351 to 103). However, some experts think the decrease might reflect a lack of enforcement by the EPA, which has issued few penalties in recent years.
A 2019 airline water study, for example, reported that many airlines continue to violate the ADWR.
And every now and then, water samples test positive for E. coli and coliform bacteria. JetBlue and Spirit — the major airlines that performed worst in the study — had a high number of ADWR violations.
“To be extra safe,” the researchers said the same thing Kat did in her TikTok: travelers should not drink coffee or tea on board, and “never drink any water on board that isn’t in a sealed bottle.” After using the bathroom, they also suggest travelers use hand-sanitizer.
Here’s what people said after watching her video
Frankly, this has been posted all over and over again by pretty much anyone in the airline industry who has a social media account. Someone putting it on TikTok provides no novelty at all. Besides, I would not trust what a flight attendand says on this topic but rather ask a technician who operates the tanks, a cleaner who cleans (or not cleans) the machines, or even better a microbiologist. And ideally, I woulod look for a scientific study. Lo! Handschuh, H., O'Dwyer, J., & Adley, C. C. (2015). Bacteria that Travel: The Quality of Aircraft Water. International journal of environmental research and public health, 12(11), 13938–13955. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121113938 Thus, known since at least 1995 that you should not drink airplane tank water or whatever is made from it.
This is garbage. Millions of people drink tea and coffee on planes and nothing ever happens.
Don’t you remember that waterborne outbreak that infected hundreds of airline passengers? No? Oh wait, neither do I.
Load More Replies...I don't know, those machines have filters, also, how many people have gotten sick after landing? There must be a study :O
You said it. If there was a health hazard, you would notice very quickly.
Load More Replies...I drank coffee in the Navy made in pots that hadn't been cleaned since WWII probably. In fact if you tried to clean it you risked being tossed over the side. No problems and pretty damn good coffee.
Airlines cutting corners and labor to f**k people over... pretty much nothing new here
Have you ever cleaned the inside of your water heater in your home? No you have not.
I clean my coffee machine and kettle about once a month... speak for yourself...
Load More Replies...I was a flight attendant for 20 years... always drank the tea and coffee and it never had a negative impact!
Sensationalist attention seeking bollocks. Once again as an aircraft engineer I can confirm the potable water tanks are regularly cleaned and sterilised, the filters are also replaced periodically. Whilst it is true the water for the galleys and lavatory come from the same tank, just as it does in your home, it doesn’t mean they’re mixed together at any point after it leaves the tank.
So clean them rather than making these uncomfortably up close videos of your ugly face. What the fûck. “I don’t do my job, isn’t it awful how airlines are?!” I’ve worked jobs where we had to clean up these drink tank things. It’s a pain but if you take turns it isn’t so bad.
Wtf? Flight attendants are not the cleaning crew. There is no time for it. Have you ever been in a flight? Ever notice how they are never not doing something? It's because they serve on a free hundred people with just a few crew. It's the airlines skipping their duties. Planes are gross.
Load More Replies...At least coffee and tea is boiled water, so it's a bit cleaner. Honestly they give so many canned sodas, bottled juices and mini water bottles i don't see why anyone would just have a cup of water.
how many people have actually gotten ill from the coffee or tea they had in planes? This looks just like fear mongering. The water passing through those machines is boiling hot. Hard to think of a bacteria that would survive that and make a thriving in those machines. But hey, it's a flight attendant making claims, probably has 3 doctor's degree in microbiology and diseases, better listen to her. Better yet, have some ultra overpriced bottled water, that makes sense. People would believe and be scared of anything. Remember the detoxifying crap? I'd rather believe stuff like this: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/22/health/leukemia-clean-childhood-study-intl/index.html
Not boiling hot, but close to and not for long enough to get rid of a lot. There is actual research.
Load More Replies...Her pupils are very pinned .... can anyone say narcotics? And would she like to share?
Making a babys formula with bottled water is extremely unhygienic, it has to be clean boiled water thats cooled
I notified the CDC when I saw open large water bottles (that they were serving passengers) in the galley right next to the toilet with shite on the walls & floating in the broken toilet with puddles of pee on the floor. It smelled so bad they put a coffee filter in the sink. The galley was literally less than 6 feet away and we wonder why there's E. coli in the drinking water. The CDC never responded to me & Im an RN. Sickening.
I am curious...what Airline company did you use? The worst I have heard was when the thenTAP leased planes to the Saudi´s to carry their pilgrims to Mecca.Some pilgrims brought a live goat onboard,killed it and then proceeded to built a live fire in the aisle in order to roast it...while in flight..
Load More Replies...Then the same would go for ICE in drinks. I've watched enough "restaurant rescue" shows to realize that icemakers never get cleaned, because they would need to be emptied, brought to a warm temperature, cleaned, then put through a cycle of ice that is thrown out because it might taste like cleaner. Nightclubs and bars are rarely held responsible for spreading sickness via ice. Most people chalk it up to drinking too much.
Begs the question, why are airlines not cleaning these? Why is it seemingly acceptable to risk customers' health like this? I suggest it would take just one legal class action!
that is sinuously the most disgusting thing i have ever heard . it like dud if you want people to fly on your airline and they only drink coffee or tea but they hear this then they wont fly and she is a flight attendant why doesn't she clean it if it is such a big deal to her then get off your ass and clean it my water tank at home gets deep cleaned by me once a month so it is not disgusting because imagen taken a shower in that
It's bad enough they have all the idiots on the flights fighting over wearing masks, or putting bare feet up on seat in front of them, or getting naked for no reason, or screaming children that they can't help the rest of the plane handle. They are human. They try. It's a corporate thing to clean X every so often. They know and now she shared. Be happy to have some info. FYI I always bring my own snacks an mini waters. I'm a snacker for travel sickness.
I rarely drink hot drinks, but the smell of water on the drinks trolley as it goes past is revolting. If it smells the way it does, I can't imagine what it must taste like.
I couldn't serve people of that was me and this was the case, people like that are part of the problem
Have you ever seen the cleaners use the same rag to clean 30-40 tray tables before turning over the same rag over to do another 30-40 before rinsing it? I never touch the tray unless flying long haul.
The other thing I always remember is that since banning smoking completely the air is changed less and you are more in danger of catching infections than ever before. Unintended consequences of a health move being worse health..
"the air is changed" - you have completely no idea how the air in planes works.
Load More Replies...I have over 1,000,000 miles on commercial carriers. Put some olive or almond oil on your fingertip, jam it inside your nostrils, and twist it to get a good, thin layer of oil as deep as possible inside your nose. (Do not use mineral oil or petroleum jelly. It must be the oil you would use in your food) It will give you some huge boogers when you land but that's the crap that isn't getting into your lungs. Bonus- you're keeping your nose (as far as you can reach) from drying out as well. Pop a baby aspirin before you board. This will reduce the odds of getting DVT. Wear only cotton or wool clothing. If you crash, synthetics will burn and stick to you like napalm. If you're flying overseas, wear sturdy boots and put some identifying info in a plastic sandwich baggie under the insole. In a crash, your foot will likely remain in the boot which will likely float to make it more likely to be recovered. Put in a good-bye note too. Enjoy your flight!
A goodbye note. Seriously. You are going flying, not off to fight the Vietnam war. It's safer to fly than drive, as you probably heard before. Do you write a goodbye letter, everytime you drive your car? If yes. What the f**k is wrong with you!?
Load More Replies...Her thing about the coffee makers...well most people I know that drink the stuff never clean the coffee maker, the pot sure, maybe once a week, and their mugs NEVER!
What twaddle its water it has nothing for bacteria to grow on and in most countries it's chlorinated. Also the tanks water is going to completely change frequently.
do you not know how f*****g water works you idiot
Load More Replies...Moron it's like this on every plane. The massive water tanks are never cleaned. The water that's pumped in is clean, but the tank is filthy. St least it's boiled for coffee and tea.
Load More Replies...Frankly, this has been posted all over and over again by pretty much anyone in the airline industry who has a social media account. Someone putting it on TikTok provides no novelty at all. Besides, I would not trust what a flight attendand says on this topic but rather ask a technician who operates the tanks, a cleaner who cleans (or not cleans) the machines, or even better a microbiologist. And ideally, I woulod look for a scientific study. Lo! Handschuh, H., O'Dwyer, J., & Adley, C. C. (2015). Bacteria that Travel: The Quality of Aircraft Water. International journal of environmental research and public health, 12(11), 13938–13955. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121113938 Thus, known since at least 1995 that you should not drink airplane tank water or whatever is made from it.
This is garbage. Millions of people drink tea and coffee on planes and nothing ever happens.
Don’t you remember that waterborne outbreak that infected hundreds of airline passengers? No? Oh wait, neither do I.
Load More Replies...I don't know, those machines have filters, also, how many people have gotten sick after landing? There must be a study :O
You said it. If there was a health hazard, you would notice very quickly.
Load More Replies...I drank coffee in the Navy made in pots that hadn't been cleaned since WWII probably. In fact if you tried to clean it you risked being tossed over the side. No problems and pretty damn good coffee.
Airlines cutting corners and labor to f**k people over... pretty much nothing new here
Have you ever cleaned the inside of your water heater in your home? No you have not.
I clean my coffee machine and kettle about once a month... speak for yourself...
Load More Replies...I was a flight attendant for 20 years... always drank the tea and coffee and it never had a negative impact!
Sensationalist attention seeking bollocks. Once again as an aircraft engineer I can confirm the potable water tanks are regularly cleaned and sterilised, the filters are also replaced periodically. Whilst it is true the water for the galleys and lavatory come from the same tank, just as it does in your home, it doesn’t mean they’re mixed together at any point after it leaves the tank.
So clean them rather than making these uncomfortably up close videos of your ugly face. What the fûck. “I don’t do my job, isn’t it awful how airlines are?!” I’ve worked jobs where we had to clean up these drink tank things. It’s a pain but if you take turns it isn’t so bad.
Wtf? Flight attendants are not the cleaning crew. There is no time for it. Have you ever been in a flight? Ever notice how they are never not doing something? It's because they serve on a free hundred people with just a few crew. It's the airlines skipping their duties. Planes are gross.
Load More Replies...At least coffee and tea is boiled water, so it's a bit cleaner. Honestly they give so many canned sodas, bottled juices and mini water bottles i don't see why anyone would just have a cup of water.
how many people have actually gotten ill from the coffee or tea they had in planes? This looks just like fear mongering. The water passing through those machines is boiling hot. Hard to think of a bacteria that would survive that and make a thriving in those machines. But hey, it's a flight attendant making claims, probably has 3 doctor's degree in microbiology and diseases, better listen to her. Better yet, have some ultra overpriced bottled water, that makes sense. People would believe and be scared of anything. Remember the detoxifying crap? I'd rather believe stuff like this: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/22/health/leukemia-clean-childhood-study-intl/index.html
Not boiling hot, but close to and not for long enough to get rid of a lot. There is actual research.
Load More Replies...Her pupils are very pinned .... can anyone say narcotics? And would she like to share?
Making a babys formula with bottled water is extremely unhygienic, it has to be clean boiled water thats cooled
I notified the CDC when I saw open large water bottles (that they were serving passengers) in the galley right next to the toilet with shite on the walls & floating in the broken toilet with puddles of pee on the floor. It smelled so bad they put a coffee filter in the sink. The galley was literally less than 6 feet away and we wonder why there's E. coli in the drinking water. The CDC never responded to me & Im an RN. Sickening.
I am curious...what Airline company did you use? The worst I have heard was when the thenTAP leased planes to the Saudi´s to carry their pilgrims to Mecca.Some pilgrims brought a live goat onboard,killed it and then proceeded to built a live fire in the aisle in order to roast it...while in flight..
Load More Replies...Then the same would go for ICE in drinks. I've watched enough "restaurant rescue" shows to realize that icemakers never get cleaned, because they would need to be emptied, brought to a warm temperature, cleaned, then put through a cycle of ice that is thrown out because it might taste like cleaner. Nightclubs and bars are rarely held responsible for spreading sickness via ice. Most people chalk it up to drinking too much.
Begs the question, why are airlines not cleaning these? Why is it seemingly acceptable to risk customers' health like this? I suggest it would take just one legal class action!
that is sinuously the most disgusting thing i have ever heard . it like dud if you want people to fly on your airline and they only drink coffee or tea but they hear this then they wont fly and she is a flight attendant why doesn't she clean it if it is such a big deal to her then get off your ass and clean it my water tank at home gets deep cleaned by me once a month so it is not disgusting because imagen taken a shower in that
It's bad enough they have all the idiots on the flights fighting over wearing masks, or putting bare feet up on seat in front of them, or getting naked for no reason, or screaming children that they can't help the rest of the plane handle. They are human. They try. It's a corporate thing to clean X every so often. They know and now she shared. Be happy to have some info. FYI I always bring my own snacks an mini waters. I'm a snacker for travel sickness.
I rarely drink hot drinks, but the smell of water on the drinks trolley as it goes past is revolting. If it smells the way it does, I can't imagine what it must taste like.
I couldn't serve people of that was me and this was the case, people like that are part of the problem
Have you ever seen the cleaners use the same rag to clean 30-40 tray tables before turning over the same rag over to do another 30-40 before rinsing it? I never touch the tray unless flying long haul.
The other thing I always remember is that since banning smoking completely the air is changed less and you are more in danger of catching infections than ever before. Unintended consequences of a health move being worse health..
"the air is changed" - you have completely no idea how the air in planes works.
Load More Replies...I have over 1,000,000 miles on commercial carriers. Put some olive or almond oil on your fingertip, jam it inside your nostrils, and twist it to get a good, thin layer of oil as deep as possible inside your nose. (Do not use mineral oil or petroleum jelly. It must be the oil you would use in your food) It will give you some huge boogers when you land but that's the crap that isn't getting into your lungs. Bonus- you're keeping your nose (as far as you can reach) from drying out as well. Pop a baby aspirin before you board. This will reduce the odds of getting DVT. Wear only cotton or wool clothing. If you crash, synthetics will burn and stick to you like napalm. If you're flying overseas, wear sturdy boots and put some identifying info in a plastic sandwich baggie under the insole. In a crash, your foot will likely remain in the boot which will likely float to make it more likely to be recovered. Put in a good-bye note too. Enjoy your flight!
A goodbye note. Seriously. You are going flying, not off to fight the Vietnam war. It's safer to fly than drive, as you probably heard before. Do you write a goodbye letter, everytime you drive your car? If yes. What the f**k is wrong with you!?
Load More Replies...Her thing about the coffee makers...well most people I know that drink the stuff never clean the coffee maker, the pot sure, maybe once a week, and their mugs NEVER!
What twaddle its water it has nothing for bacteria to grow on and in most countries it's chlorinated. Also the tanks water is going to completely change frequently.
do you not know how f*****g water works you idiot
Load More Replies...Moron it's like this on every plane. The massive water tanks are never cleaned. The water that's pumped in is clean, but the tank is filthy. St least it's boiled for coffee and tea.
Load More Replies...
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