A new report is raising significant health concerns for air travellers, suggesting the water on board many aircraft is so contaminated it shouldn't even be used for washing hands. The findings, which analyzed tens of thousands of water samples, urge passengers to be cautious about what they consume and touch during flights.
Key Findings from the Water Safety Analysis
The Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity conducted a comprehensive three-year study, examining over 35,000 water samples from 21 U.S. airlines between October 2022 and September 2025. Researchers tested water from galley and bathroom faucets for coliform bacteria and E. coli, which can indicate the presence of harmful pathogens.
The results were concerning: 2.7% of samples tested positive for coliform bacteria. Even more alarming, E. coli was identified 32 times across the airlines studied. "Testing for coliform bacteria is important because their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms could be in the water system," the non-profit organization stated in its report.
Airline Rankings: From Top Performers to Failing Grades
The study assigned letter grades based on water safety scores. Among major carriers, Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines ranked highest, with scores of 5 and 4.8 out of 5 respectively. Alaska and Allegiant Air received B grades.
On the lower end of the spectrum, several airlines received poor marks. American Airlines scored the lowest among major carriers with a 1.75, earning a D grade. JetBlue and Spirit Airlines also received D grades. The worst performer overall was regional carrier Mesa Airlines, which scored a 1.35 and received a failing F grade.
Expert Recommendations for Travellers
Charles Platkin, the director of the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, issued stark warnings based on the findings. He strongly advises passengers to never drink any water onboard that isn't from a sealed bottle and to avoid coffee or tea made with aircraft tap water.
Perhaps the most surprising recommendation is for personal hygiene. "Do not wash your hands in the bathroom—use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 per cent alcohol instead," Platkin advised. The study points to aircraft water system vulnerabilities, including stagnation between flights, temperature shifts during ascent and descent, and potential contamination from airport water sources.
Airlines Respond to Safety Concerns
In response to the study, several airlines defended their water safety protocols. American Airlines stated its program is "fully in compliance" with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules and cited a recent audit with "no significant findings." The airline said it is reviewing the report to see if any enhancements are needed.
JetBlue noted it follows processes outlined by the EPA, FDA, and FAA and serves bottled drinking water on flights. Spirit and Southwest Airlines both emphasized their comprehensive testing and maintenance programs that comply with federal aircraft drinking water regulations.
For Canadian travellers, who frequently use these U.S. carriers for cross-border and international travel, the report serves as a critical reminder to be proactive about health and hydration while flying. Sticking to sealed bottled beverages and carrying ample hand sanitizer may be the safest course until water safety standards see universal improvement across the industry.
