Is airplane water safe to drink? As a cosmetologist raises concern, we find out
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai, stressed that airplane cabins have very dry air, which can lead to dehydration
Hydration is essential on flights, as it helps prevent jet lag, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. So, most passengers opt for a glass or two of water on board. But what is the source of water on flights? According to the World Health Organization’s Guide to Hygiene and Sanitation in Aviation (published by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), routine cleaning and disinfection are essential aspects of aircraft and airport operations. “The airline has full responsibility for the management of water on board the aircraft; proper water system operation and maintenance procedures are essential to ensure that all of the intended potable water on board is safe. Cleaning of the aircraft water tanks at regular intervals is part of the aircraft maintenance process,” it read.
So, when Dr Huma Shaikh, a general practitioner and cosmetologist, took to her Instagram to raise a concern about hygiene and said that aircraft tanks “aren’t easy to disinfect, and once biofilm builds up inside pipes, the water quality naturally drops — even if it’s technically safe,” we decided to understand more.
“This doesn’t mean you’re at risk of getting seriously ill. It simply means making smarter choices keeps you more comfortable in the air. Bottled water for drinking and brushing, tap for washing — that’s the rule most frequent flyers quietly follow,” said Dr Shaikh.
Responding to her remark, an Instagram user, Ahmet Akcadurak, who claimed to be an aircraft mechanic on his profile, said, ” Portable water tanks here you mentioned are cleaned regularly with special fluids, and then the water inside them is tested for any bacteria, etc. So don’t believe everything you hear on the internet.
As such, we turned to experts to understand if drinking water on an aircraft is safe.
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, a senior consultant in internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, stressed that aeroplane cabins have arid air, which can lead to dehydration. “Because of this, drinking enough water during a flight is actually important, especially on long journeys. The water used for hot drinks like tea or coffee often comes from onboard water tanks. In some cases, these tanks may not be cleaned as frequently as expected. This does not mean the water is unsafe on every flight, but hygiene standards can vary between airlines and aircraft.”
K Anuradha Suresh, an aviation expert and Retired Senior AGM from Air India, said that potable water system maintenance varies from airline to airline.
“The system might be meeting regulatory standards and practices, but it may be risky. But for hygiene reasons, airlines do give bottled water. Tap water is used only for washing and the loo. So, it is always better to drink from bottled water or bring your own water,” said Anuradha.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
Hydration is essential on flights, as it helps prevent jet lag, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. So, most passengers opt for a glass or two of water on board. But what is the source of water on flights? According to the World Health Organization’s Guide to Hygiene and Sanitation in Aviation (published by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), routine cleaning and disinfection are essential aspects of aircraft and airport operations. “The airline has full responsibility for the management of water on board the aircraft; proper water system operation and maintenance procedures are essential to ensure that all of the intended potable water on board is safe. Cleaning of the aircraft water tanks at regular intervals is part of the aircraft maintenance process,” it read.
So, when Dr Huma Shaikh, a general practitioner and cosmetologist, took to her Instagram to raise a concern about hygiene and said that aircraft tanks “aren’t easy to disinfect, and once biofilm builds up inside pipes, the water quality naturally drops — even if it’s technically safe,” we decided to understand more.
“This doesn’t mean you’re at risk of getting seriously ill. It simply means making smarter choices keeps you more comfortable in the air. Bottled water for drinking and brushing, tap for washing — that’s the rule most frequent flyers quietly follow,” said Dr Shaikh.
Responding to her remark, an Instagram user, Ahmet Akcadurak, who claimed to be an aircraft mechanic on his profile, said, ” Portable water tanks here you mentioned are cleaned regularly with special fluids, and then the water inside them is tested for any bacteria, etc. So don’t believe everything you hear on the internet.
As such, we turned to experts to understand if drinking water on an aircraft is safe.
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, a senior consultant in internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, stressed that aeroplane cabins have arid air, which can lead to dehydration. “Because of this, drinking enough water during a flight is actually important, especially on long journeys. The water used for hot drinks like tea or coffee often comes from onboard water tanks. In some cases, these tanks may not be cleaned as frequently as expected. This does not mean the water is unsafe on every flight, but hygiene standards can vary between airlines and aircraft.”
K Anuradha Suresh, an aviation expert and Retired Senior AGM from Air India, said that potable water system maintenance varies from airline to airline.
“The system might be meeting regulatory standards and practices, but it may be risky. But for hygiene reasons, airlines do give bottled water. Tap water is used only for washing and the loo. So, it is always better to drink from bottled water or bring your own water,” said Anuradha.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
