Former Flight Attendant Reveals 3 Things You Should Never Order on a Plane

A former flight attendant has warned passengers to avoid certain foods and drinks served on airplanes, as they may pose hidden health risks.

Former flight attendant Alex Quigley recently cautioned that some in-flight foods and beverages could increase the risk of food poisoning, according to the Daily Mail.

Hot Drinks Made with Onboard Water (Tea and Coffee)

While you might be tempted to order a cup of tea or coffee to fight jet lag, Quigley advises passengers to think twice.

He explained that the water used to make hot drinks on planes is stored in tanks that can sit for long periods without regular cleaning.

“You never really know how often those tanks are cleaned—or if they ever are. It’s basically a breeding ground for bacteria,” Quigley said.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone empty or rinse them out between flights.”

Meals Containing Meat

Quigley also warned passengers to be cautious when choosing in-flight meals.

Although meat dishes may look appetizing, they pose the highest risk of foodborne illness.

“As we all know, flight delays and mechanical issues can happen,” he explained. “That means pre-cooked meals might not always be stored properly or could exceed safe holding times.”

Alcoholic Drinks

Another item to avoid, according to Quigley, is alcohol. The combination of altitude and alcohol can intensify its effects.

“When cabin pressure drops, your body absorbs less oxygen,” Quigley said. “That’s why drinking alcohol on a flight can make you feel much drunker than usual.”

Finally, Quigley suggested avoiding foods that could cause discomfort or affect others on board. Gas-inducing items such as milk, beans, greasy foods, green vegetables, and carbonated drinks can contribute to poor cabin air quality and bloating.

This warning follows several reported incidents of poor food hygiene on flights:

• In September last year, an Air India passenger flying from Delhi to New York claimed she found a dead cockroach in her omelet.

• Later that month, a Scandinavian Airlines flight from Norway to Spain had to return to its departure airport after a rat was seen running across the meal service area.

• In October, the U.S. FDA shut down Delta Air Lines’ catering facility in Detroit after finding multiple food safety violations during an inspection.

“Airline passengers need to be aware of the food safety risks within the in-flight catering industry,” said Darin Detwiler, a food safety advisor at Northeastern University in Boston.
“The confined environment of an airplane makes it especially difficult to control any outbreak of foodborne illness.”