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Cabin Crew Cringe at This In-Flight Beverage Order: Why Decaf Coffee Raises Eyebrows
Passengers who request decaffeinated coffee on airplanes are drawing the ire of flight attendants, who often react with disdain to this particular beverage order. According to veteran cabin crew member Leanna Coy, ordering decaf at 30,000 feet invites a measure of judgment from airline staff.
Flight Attendant’s TikTok Rant on Airplane Coffee
In a recent TikTok video, Coy, a seasoned skyway professional, voiced her bewilderment and slight disgust regarding the popularity of airplane coffee, particularly the decaffeinated variety. Using a green nauseated emoji to punctuate her point, she stated, “I think we all know by now that ordering coffee on a plane is a little bit sketchy.”
She continued, posing a rhetorical question to viewers: “You’re telling me you genuinely savor the taste of that airplane coffee so much that you’re willing to consume it — not due to a need for caffeine — but purely for the inherent flavor?”
Decaf Coffee: Just Mud Without the Buzz?
For many flight attendants, decaf airplane coffee seems pointless – essentially just a less appealing version of regular coffee, lacking even the caffeine kick. However, the issue goes beyond taste preferences. Whether regular or decaf, the coffee served in the skies is often considered “gross” by airline staff, according to several insider accounts.

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Sanitation Concerns: The Real Issue with In-Flight Coffee
Numerous flight attendants have cautioned travelers against indulging in either regular or decaf coffee during flights, primarily due to concerns about hygiene in the drink preparation process. Kevin, a former flight attendant now working as a commercial pilot, highlighted the unhygienic practices in a widely circulated online discussion. He explained, “The fact that the water tanks rarely undergo thorough cleaning should actually be the least of your worries.”
Coffee Pot Cleaning Procedures Raise Concerns
Kevin further elaborated on a particularly unsettling aspect of in-flight coffee service: the cleaning of coffee pots. He revealed that the used coffee grounds are often disposed of directly into the airplane toilet. This process involves placing the pot’s spout perilously close to the toilet bowl, raising significant sanitation questions.
“I can only imagine that there must be some degree of backsplash of microscopic particles, bacteria, or other contaminants that are transferred directly back into the coffee pot,” Kevin stated. “And this very pot is then immediately reused in the coffee maker.” This practice understandably raises concerns about the cleanliness of the equipment and, consequently, the beverage itself.
Dehydration Risk: Another Reason to Skip Airplane Coffee
Beyond sanitation, there are additional reasons to reconsider ordering coffee on flights. First Officer Paul Janowicz, a veteran Delta Air Lines pilot, lists coffee among the top five beverages passengers should avoid after takeoff. Speaking to Well + Good, Captain Janowicz pointed out, “While a cup of coffee might seem appealing on early morning flights, the caffeine content will contribute to dehydration within the already dehydrating cabin environment.”
Opt for Hydration: Water Recommended Over Coffee
Instead of consuming coffee, experts consistently recommend water as the optimal drink for air travel. Lisa Valente, a nutrition expert with Healthline, reinforced this advice in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Most people understand that water is the standard choice for air passengers, and many even choose to bring their personal water bottle on board.” Valente also suggested juices and seltzers as favorable alternatives to coffee.
“I am a big advocate for plain water on a plane,” Valente concluded. “It is hydrating and consistently a good choice.” Therefore, for a healthier and more agreeable in-flight experience, passengers might want to heed the warnings of flight attendants and aviation experts, opting for water instead of that potentially questionable cup of airplane coffee.