Most passengers don’t think twice when the trolley comes down the aisle and a flight attendant offers a hot beverage.

A cup of tea or coffee seems like a modest treat after navigating airport security and settling into a cramped seat. However, former flight attendant Kat Kamalani has issued a stark warning for all travellers: avoid drinking coffee, tea, or any water on aircraft unless it’s served in a sealed bottle or can.

She posted a video on her Instagram account delivering a crucial message to passengers. She states: “Don’t you ever, ever, ever consume these products from an airplane, from a flight attendant. Rule number one: never consume any liquid that is not in a can or a bottle.”

Travel specialists Ski Vertigo support this advice, recommending passengers purchase beverages at the airport beforehand. This not only helps avoid potential health hazards, but can prove more economical, particularly on charter services.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

In her viral video, Kat unveils a shocking truth about in-flight beverages that many passengers are unaware of. She reveals: “Those water tanks are never cleaned, and they are disgusting.” Many cabin crew members “rarely, rarely drink the coffee or tea” served on board as it all originates from the same water tank, the claims. The coffee machines are seldom cleaned unless they malfunction.

The coffee pots are cleaned between flights, but the entire machine is never cleaned. And they’re located in the lavatories.

“She also advises parents to refrain from requesting hot water for their baby’s bottle, despite the inconvenience this may cause. While airlines maintain that they adhere to safety standards, once water has passed through the aircraft’s tanks and pipes, its cleanliness cannot be guaranteed. This is why experts and insiders now strongly recommend avoiding hot drinks made with tank water, particularly if you’re pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or are travelling with young children. Kat’s advice for parents is straightforward. She suggests: “Never ask for hot water and put it in your baby’s bottle. Ask for a bottle of water on the side and hot water in a cup. Then make your baby a bottle with the bottled water and put it in the cup and heat it up. “.

For adults, Kat’s advice is straightforward: if your drink didn’t come from a sealed bottle or can, reconsider before drinking it. The safest bet is to stick to drinks that never touch the aircraft’s tanks, such as bottled water, canned soft drinks, or juice-and refuse tea, coffee, and even ice, which is frequently made from the same tap water.