You’re probably going to get sick of your pre-flight routine if you’ve been relying on the airplane galley for a caffeine fix because flight attendant Tomiko Dwan (who likely makes bank) has revealed the utterly disgusting truth about those coffee pots, and why you should never drink the coffee on a flight. Dwan, who took to TikTok to share a list of things she would never do as a passenger, got straight to the point that your in-flight cup of joe is likely a hygiene nightmare, backed up by what other flight attendants have said for a long time.
Dwan made the bold declaration, “I would never drink the coffee,” and then followed up with a rhetorical question that should make anyone think twice before ordering a cup on their next flight. She challenged her viewers, asking, “The next time you go on a plane, where do you think the coffee pots are getting cleaned at? Where are they washing the coffee pots out at? That’s all I want you to observe.” Yikes.
The implication is pretty clear: the standard cleaning practices are subpar at best, and the pots are likely just getting a quick, ineffective rinse in the galley sink. According to Brobible, it’s just common sense among flight crews that the airplane coffee is questionable, and the issue isn’t just a matter of taste. Reports suggest crews rarely clean their water tanks, or in some cases, they clean them with disinfectants that can actually seep into the water supply.
Your airplane coffee is disgusting
Considering the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) previously found that about one in eight airplanes failed water safety standards, this is a serious red flag. I honestly can’t believe we’re still dealing with such a basic hygiene problem in air travel. You’re better off bringing your own travel thermos full of home-brewed caffeine, which is exactly what Dwan says she does.
On the other hand, the other items on Dwan’s “never-do” list are all about basic personal hygiene and avoiding exposure to surfaces that are probably a lot grosser than you think. This is where you might be doing it wrong without even realizing it.
@tomikodwan Things I would never do as a passenger. #flightattendantaddition
♬ original sound – Tomiko-Always Fly Pretty
First up is the advice to avoid wearing any clothing that exposes your skin “to the seat, to the armrest, to the window, to the tray table.” It’s a fact that many areas of the plane aren’t cleaned as often or as thoroughly as any of us would like. Wearing clothes that cover your skin is one of the easiest ways to minimize your exposure to bacteria from the thousands of people who’ve used that same seat before you.
@tomikodwan Why I don’t drink the coffee on airplanes. My personal choice before I was an FA.
♬ original sound – Tomiko
This leads straight into the next two points, keeping your shoes on and never walking barefoot to the lavatory. You need to keep those shoes and socks on, period. The plane floor, especially near the lavatory, is a harbor for all sorts of grossness that is definitely not just spilled water. As a knowledgeable traveler, I can tell you that some airlines will even crack down hard on passengers going barefoot and may ask you to put your shoes back on or face being kicked off the plane.
Finally, Dwan’s list included two bits of behavioral advice that are worth keeping in mind. The first is a simple warning: don’t argue with a flight attendant. Her reasoning is straightforward and funny: “You’re not gonna win that argument,” she states. It’s their plane, their rules, and they have the ultimate authority, so pick your battles wisely.
