Avoid these things when ordering drinks on a flight.
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For even the most relaxed travelers, air travel can be seriously stressful. From the effects on your body to delays and turbulence, even seasoned flyers have to deal with all kinds of unexpected situations.
That's why it's no surprise that many of us look forward to enjoying a good drink on the plane, whether you prefer a relaxing cup of tea or something a bit stronger. But there are probably several seemingly harmless mistakes you're making with your in-flight beverages that range from impractical to downright disgusting. These are the 5 things you should be aware of when ordering drinks on a flight quoted from INSIDER.
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1. Don't Order Water on the Plane, Unless It's Bottled
Indeed staying hydrated on a flight is highly recommended, you will never want to drink tap water on an airplane. Several flight attendants reveal they would not touch it because the tanks that store the plane's water supply are rarely cleaned, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria and microbial growth.
Indeed staying hydrated on a flight is highly recommended, you will never want to drink tap water on an airplane. Several flight attendants reveal they would not touch it because the tanks that store the plane's water supply are rarely cleaned, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria and microbial growth.
An EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) study in 2004 found that only 15% of aircraft water supplies passed health regulations, and things have seemingly only marginally improved in the years since. Recent studies have shown that the tanks on both short and long-haul flights show signs of bacteria, potentially harming passengers' health. Purchasing bottled water once you're past security or asking for bottled water on the plane is the safest way to stay hydrated.
2. Don't Get Ice in Your Drink
Even if you are stocked with bottled water, you also have to avoid ice cubes in any drink, since they come from the same water source. Ordering ice on a plane might feel like a refreshing way to keep your drink cool as you doze off for a mid-flight snooze, but you could be upping your risk for illness without even realizing it.
Even if you are stocked with bottled water, you also have to avoid ice cubes in any drink, since they come from the same water source. Ordering ice on a plane might feel like a refreshing way to keep your drink cool as you doze off for a mid-flight snooze, but you could be upping your risk for illness without even realizing it.
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3. Avoid Drinking Tea Or Coffee
Whether you are trying to perk up for a busy day of traveling or unwind with a hot cup of tea, you should try and order your hot beverages in the terminal before boarding. As travel expert Bobby Laurie explains the ground coffee is loaded into the airplane and are pre-packaged bags of coffee. The coffee makers are made to be removable and easy to replace it, but the only time they're removed is when they break which is rare. The coffee bags are thin. So, if a bag bursts the flight attendants clean the tray in the bathroom sink.
Whether you are trying to perk up for a busy day of traveling or unwind with a hot cup of tea, you should try and order your hot beverages in the terminal before boarding. As travel expert Bobby Laurie explains the ground coffee is loaded into the airplane and are pre-packaged bags of coffee. The coffee makers are made to be removable and easy to replace it, but the only time they're removed is when they break which is rare. The coffee bags are thin. So, if a bag bursts the flight attendants clean the tray in the bathroom sink.
And since you already know how filthy airplane bathrooms are. There's another reason to avoid coffee and tea, that same tap water we told you not to drink also makes your hot beverages, so even though it's probably boiled, you are still taking a chance of catching an illness. Catherine Sonquist Forest, MD, a primary care doctor at Stanford University Health Care explained to Reader's Digest that caffeine slightly dehydrates you, which isn't generally a big deal, but when you're already in a dehydrating environment, she says you will want to be sure to include enough water as well.
4. Don't Unwinding with One Too Many Alcohols
Plane travel is stressful, so many of us enjoy a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail before takeoff to ease pre-flying jitters. But what about if you are on a long-haul flight and decide to enjoy more than a wine to help pass the time or lull you to sleep? But, Dr. Shawn Tsuda, a board-certified general surgeon at miVIP Surgery Centers, told us why too much booze during air travel is the worst choice.
Plane travel is stressful, so many of us enjoy a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail before takeoff to ease pre-flying jitters. But what about if you are on a long-haul flight and decide to enjoy more than a wine to help pass the time or lull you to sleep? But, Dr. Shawn Tsuda, a board-certified general surgeon at miVIP Surgery Centers, told us why too much booze during air travel is the worst choice.
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With the lower level of oxygen in your blood while flying, you may seem drunker in the air than you would on the ground after consuming the same amount of alcohol. The air in an aircraft is also very dry, and coupled with the diuretic effect of drinking alcohol, you may become dehydrated much faster than you would on the ground. Alcohol also affects both the quality and quantity of your sleep, as well as messing with your circadian rhythm, so you will wake up feeling unrefreshed and drowsy sooner than you would sober.
5. Don't Order Bubbly Drinks
Though many of us enjoy a bubbly drink to soothe our stomachs on a plane, it seems that the carbonation actually messes with our digestive systems. According to Reader's Digest, the altitude increase when flying can expand intestinal gas up to 30%, making you feel bloated, gassy, or nauseous.
Though many of us enjoy a bubbly drink to soothe our stomachs on a plane, it seems that the carbonation actually messes with our digestive systems. According to Reader's Digest, the altitude increase when flying can expand intestinal gas up to 30%, making you feel bloated, gassy, or nauseous.
The most annoying soft drink for the flight crew to open on the plane is Diet Coke, because the high altitude causes the carbonation to foam up more, according to Travel + Leisure. This means it takes much longer to pour, and ups the risk for spillage or overflow all over unsuspecting passengers nearby.