Devin Jacobs
Airplane meals can be a gamble, and not always one worth taking. Between limited storage and high altitude, even simple foods can turn unpleasant or worse, risky for your stomach. Still, many passengers order without realizing whatâs really behind the tray. Before you make your next selection, check out what seasoned travelers avoid to stay healthy and satisfied long after landing.
Tap Water
Tap water might seem harmless, but on planes, itâs a different story. The storage tanks are cleaned infrequently, and that same water ends up in hot beverages. Flight attendants usually avoid it, preferring bottled water instead, and you might want to do the same.
Coffee Or Tea
You can sip that in-flight coffee for comfort, yet the crew usually wonât. Once the cups are cleared, used grounds are dumped in the airplane toiletsâyes, really. A bit of splash-back during cleaning can easily reach the coffee equipment before itâs reused.
Seafood Dishes
Seafood and flying donât mix well. Delays and uneven storage temperatures make it hard to keep fish safe, and reheating only adds risk. Plus, the smell lingers through the cabin. Flight attendants usually say no to anything that once swam.
Egg-Based Breakfasts
Airline eggs are a gamble. Once reheated, they turn rubbery and dry because the proteins tighten up. Many are made from powdered mix hours before takeoff, so by the time they reach your tray, the textureâs off and the freshness is questionable.
Pre-Made Sandwiches
Convenience doesnât always mean safety when it comes to pre-made sandwiches. Airplane storage leaves little room for proper temperature control, which makes perishable fillings like tuna or egg risky choices. Flight attendants typically rely on their own packed meals instead.
Salads Or Fresh Fruits
Frankly, those healthy-looking salads and fruit cups might not be as clean as they appear. In the rush of meal prep, washing can actually get skipped. Unless itâs sealed and prepackaged, you might be better off avoiding the âfreshâ stuff.
Cream Or Milk For Coffee
Keeping dairy cold on long flights is tough. When milk or cream sits too long, it can spoil quickly. Thatâs why many airlines use powdered versions now. In case youâre unsure, just take your coffee black and play it safe.
Airplane Ice Cream Desserts
Although plane ice cream sounds like a treat, it goes through wild temperature changes from the ground to the air. The result is often rock-solid or half-melted ice cream. Flight attendants know itâs a hit-or-miss dessert that can sometimes turn sketchy.
In-Flight Soup Cups
That cup of soup might look comforting mid-flight, but the realityâs less cozy. Itâs usually made with the same onboard hot-water system used for brewing beverages. Add a little turbulence, and that steaming cup can turn into an unexpected burn hazard.
Unsealed Alcohol Mixes
Drinking on a plane feels stronger than drinking on the ground, thanks to thinner air. Thatâs one reason flight attendants avoid unsealed or open alcohol mixes. They can be unsanitary, and even a small pour might hit harder than expected mid-flight.