Flight passengers warned as airline water systems test positive for contamination

Flight passengers may want to think twice before ordering drinks or washing their hands on the plane, a new analysis suggests.

The Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, based in New York City, recently reviewed airline water systems over a three-year period, analyzing over 35,000 samples collected between 2022 and 2025.

The study evaluated both major and regional carriers, grading them based on contamination violations, E. coli findings, maintenance practices and how frequently water systems were cleaned...