Close Menu
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Newsletter
Truth Republican
You are at:Home»Healthy Tips»The gross reason airplane passengers might want to avoid using the water on flights
Healthy Tips

The gross reason airplane passengers might want to avoid using the water on flights

Buddy DoyleBy Buddy DoyleJuly 2, 2025No Comments5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp
The gross reason airplane passengers might want to avoid using the water on flights
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Flying with hundreds of other people at one time can be a gateway to illness.

Various airplane surfaces — such as overhead bins, tray tables, instruction cards and seat covers — are some of the biggest sources of germs, according to flight attendants. 

Even the water in the bathroom can pose a risk — leading some people to question whether it’s even sanitary to wash one’s hands on a flight.

4 BIGGEST HANDWASHING MISTAKES THAT COULD INCREASE GERMS AND VIRUSES

“It’s a good idea for passengers to use hand sanitizer after stowing away their luggage, touching anything in the seat pocket in front of them, and going to the bathroom,” flight attendant and travel blogger Josephine Remo, who is based in Portugal, previously told Travel & Leisure.

Bathrooms can be especially dirty, as the toilets are regularly cleaned, but the locks and door handles may not be, according to Remo.

The water in the bathroom can contain a plethora of contaminants, research suggests, which could be found in bathroom sink water and drinking water, as well as the coffee, tea and ice served onboard.

A 2019 study by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center confirmed that select airlines have potentially provided passengers with unhealthy drinking water.

Of the 11 major and 12 regional airlines studied, 15 airlines received an Onboard Water Health Score of 2 or lower out of 5.

HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK INFECTS THOUSANDS OF TRAVELERS AT POPULAR DESTINATIONS

The federal government’s Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) requires airlines to provide passengers and crew with safe drinking water, according to the researchers.

Airlines are also required to test the water for bacteria and E. coli, and to disinfect and flush the aircraft’s water tank four times per year.

Drinking water on plane

“Alternatively, an airline may choose to disinfect and flush once a year, but then it must test monthly,” the researchers noted.

“The 2019 Airline Water Study also finds that the Environmental Protection Agency – one of the federal agencies responsible for ensuring safe aircraft drinking water – rarely levies civil penalties to airlines in violation of the ADWR.”

FLIGHT PASSENGER CALLS OUT FELLOW TRAVELER FOR ‘SPRAYING’ DISINFECTANT, CAUSING ‘COUGHING’

In an interview with Fox News Digital, travel expert and author of ViewFromTheWing.com Gary Leff confirmed that “very little cleaning” happens between most domestic flights.

“Planes aren’t on the ground very long — an airline only makes money when their planes are in the air,” said the expert, who is based in Austin, Texas. “And cleaning crews often have to come onboard and tidy while passengers are deplaning.”

“Different airlines take different approaches, and cleaning will vary across different cabins and classes of service.”

“When an inbound aircraft is late, the airline wants to make up time, and cleaning is often sacrificed,” he pointed out. “When airlines face financial struggles, deep cleans are one of the first things cut.”

Bathrooms can be particularly dirty due to passenger hygiene, according to Leff, and can get “pretty gross” over the course of a flight.

person grabs door handle to bathroom on plane

Different airlines take different approaches, and cleaning will vary across cabins and classes of service, he noted.

“I’m not going to suggest it’s unsafe, per se — just disgusting,” Leff said. 

“Don’t go into the [lavatory] with bare feet. Bring your own sanitizer. And consider wiping down surfaces you’ll be touching if you’re so inclined, just knowing that this hasn’t been done for you.”

Fox News’ senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel also confirmed to Fox News Digital how “filthy” airplane bathrooms tend to be, including the water, as various studies have shown.

man knocks on bathroom door on an airplane with toothbrush in hand

“The tray tables are common surfaces that can be covered with bacteria and viruses,” he cautioned. 

“And though the HEPA filters overhead are effective, they don’t really work until the plane is in the air and the filtration system is fully engaged. And [they] don’t prevent the person next to you from coughing on you.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Before and during a flight, the doctor suggested keeping well-hydrated, which can help fight off infection by keeping nasal membranes moist.

He also encourages the use of sanitizers, wipes or gels to disinfect surfaces and hands.

“I prefer washing hands thoroughly with soap, but on planes, I prefer sanitizers and wipes,” Siegel said.

bathroom sink in an airplane

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the EPA explained that the primary purpose of the ADWR is to “ensure that safe and reliable drinking water is provided to aircraft passengers and crew through requiring development and implementation of aircraft water system operations and maintenance plans that include strategies for monitoring, disinfection, and reporting.”

The EPA revealed that drinking water safety is “jointly regulated” by the EPA, FDA and FAA.

“The regulatory structure for all public water systems, including aircraft, relies upon self-monitoring and reporting of results to the primacy agency,” the agency said. “The EPA is responsible for oversight of the aircraft public water systems and provides guidance to help air carriers comply with ADWR.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

An FAA spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement that the FAA is an “aviation safety agency” and water quality is “not within our regulatory authority.”

Fox News Digital reached out to OSHA for comment.

Read the full article here

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleJudge strikes down Trump order preventing asylum requests, protections for illegal immigrants
Next Article Amazon Prime members score major gasoline savings for July 4th road trips

Related Articles

Heart surgeon reveals what to eat (and not eat) for optimal cardiac health

Heart surgeon reveals what to eat (and not eat) for optimal cardiac health

September 9, 2025
Cancer treatment could be less effective if patients consume popular sweetener

Cancer treatment could be less effective if patients consume popular sweetener

September 8, 2025
Psychedelic drug popular in 1960s could ease anxiety as doctors share warnings

Psychedelic drug popular in 1960s could ease anxiety as doctors share warnings

September 8, 2025
‘Next Ozempic’ aims to deliver 30% weight loss with fewer side effects

‘Next Ozempic’ aims to deliver 30% weight loss with fewer side effects

September 8, 2025
‘Harmless’ virus found lurking in Parkinson’s patients’ brains, new study shows

‘Harmless’ virus found lurking in Parkinson’s patients’ brains, new study shows

September 8, 2025
Long-distance running tied to higher risk of colon cancer, early study suggests

Long-distance running tied to higher risk of colon cancer, early study suggests

September 7, 2025
Additives in ultra-processed foods linked to higher death risk in major study

Additives in ultra-processed foods linked to higher death risk in major study

September 7, 2025
Knee pain is becoming more common in younger adults for two specific reasons

Knee pain is becoming more common in younger adults for two specific reasons

September 7, 2025
Hollywood icon has used the same 12-minute workout routine since the 1960s

Hollywood icon has used the same 12-minute workout routine since the 1960s

September 6, 2025
Don't Miss
Whole milk makes a comeback in new MAHA children’s health strategy

Whole milk makes a comeback in new MAHA children’s health strategy

Tom Homan calls out ‘Morning Joe’ host for accusing ICE agents of disappearing people

Tom Homan calls out ‘Morning Joe’ host for accusing ICE agents of disappearing people

Missouri House approves redistricting plan as part of nationwide GOP push to defend House majority

Missouri House approves redistricting plan as part of nationwide GOP push to defend House majority

California girls’ high school volleyball players file lawsuit over transgender teammate

California girls’ high school volleyball players file lawsuit over transgender teammate

Latest News
North Carolina residents fight back against massive tech project potentially coming to their town

North Carolina residents fight back against massive tech project potentially coming to their town

September 9, 2025
Chief Justice Roberts sides with Trump to temporarily freeze B in foreign aid spending

Chief Justice Roberts sides with Trump to temporarily freeze $5B in foreign aid spending

September 9, 2025
Texas lawmaker slams Texas A&M after student allegedly removed from class for challenging transgender lesson

Texas lawmaker slams Texas A&M after student allegedly removed from class for challenging transgender lesson

September 9, 2025
Supreme Court says it will hear Trump appeal on tariffs in key economic case

Supreme Court says it will hear Trump appeal on tariffs in key economic case

September 9, 2025
Trump says Princeton student Elizabeth Tsurkov freed after being held by Hezbollah for 2 years

Trump says Princeton student Elizabeth Tsurkov freed after being held by Hezbollah for 2 years

September 9, 2025
Copyright © 2025. Truth Republican. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.