(NewsNation) — You may want to think twice about what drink you order the next time you’re on a flight.
A recent study from the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity found that some airlines have been giving passengers “potentially unhealthy water,” and they fail to meet the federal safety standards to protect them and the airline crew.
Researchers surveyed more than 35,000 water samples from 10 major airlines and 11 regional airlines from October 2022 to September 2025 based on criteria including violations per aircraft, maximum contaminant level violations for E. coli, indicator-positive rates, public notices and disinfecting and flushing frequency.
The analysis found that 2.7% of those samples tested positive for total coliform, a group of bacteria that signals potential contamination by disease-causing germs, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
“Testing for coliform bacteria is important because their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) could be in the water system,” researchers said in the report.
The study also found that of the 21 airlines surveyed, E. coli was found 32 times.
Among the major U.S. airlines, Delta Airlines and Frontier Airlines received an “A” rating, while American Airlines, JetBlue ad Spirit received “D” ratings. NewsNation has reached out to the airlines for comment.
The report advised passengers to be extra cautious, suggesting that they should not drink any water that isn’t sealed in a bottle. It also recommends avoiding drinking coffee or tea on board a flight and avoiding washing your hands in the bathroom on the flight. Instead, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
