Some airlines serve "potentially unhealthy water" to passengers, study finds

A new study suggests that airlines are serving “potentially unhealthy water” to passengers, with researchers advising passengers to stick to bottled water and avoid drinking coffee or tea provided on planes.

The nonprofit Center for Food, Drug, and Longevity tested more than 35,000 water samples from 10 major airlines and 11 regional airlines over three years and urged passengers to avoid washing their hands in aircraft restrooms and instead stick to hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Among major U.S. airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines received “D” ratings from the organization, the analysis showed. Delta Air Lines and Frontier Airlines were the highest-ranking major airlines, both receiving an “A” grade for water service.

The Center for Food, Drug, and Longevity noted in its analysis that water quality may not be passengers’ top airline safety concern, but it remains an “important public health consideration.” The organization added that drinking potentially contaminated aircraft water could lead to problems such as gastrointestinal illness and exposure to pathogens.

research findings

The analysis found that 2.7% of the samples tested positive for total coliforms, a group of bacteria found in the digestive tracts of humans and animals, as well as in plants and soil.

“Coliform testing is important because their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens) may be present in the water system,” the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity said in its report.

The organization said a total of 32 E. coli infections were detected on 21 airlines.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) in 2011, which applies to U.S. airlines equipped with onboard drinking water systems for passengers and crew. The rule requires airlines to test for coliform and possible E. coli and disinfect and flush each aircraft’s water tanks four times a year.

But the study points out that the EPA rarely imposes civil penalties on airlines that violate ADWR.

American Airlines told CBS News it is “carefully reviewing” the findings.

“American’s drinking water program is fully compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR),” the airline told CBS News. “A recent EPA audit found no significant issues with our program and no violations were received by any of the drinking water tanks or trucks we use.”

JetBlue said in a statement that it follows processes outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure safe water use. The airline added that it provides bottled drinking water on flights.

Spirit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Airlines for America, the trade group representing airlines, said its members follow federal guidelines for evaluating the safety of drinking water.

“The aviation industry’s top priority is the safety of all passengers and crew,” the organization said in a statement to CBS News. “U.S. airlines follow guidance from multiple government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Drinking Water Testing Protocol, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) requirements for periodic inspections of water systems, and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) requirements for applicable water systems, to ensure that drinking water on board aircraft is safe and reliable.”

The Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity describes its mission on its website as “creating a more equitable food system that improves health outcomes.”