What drinks are not to order on a plane

Look, picking what to drink on a flight? Way more important than you'd think. That free soda might sound great, but it could wreck your whole trip—leaving you bloated, parched, or unable to sleep. Here's the real deal on what not to order, straight from flight attendants and the folks who study this stuff.

Why should you avoid carbonated drinks on a plane?

Carbonated stuff—soda, sparkling water, beer—it's pretty much the worst thing you can order. The altitude and cabin pressure mess with your stomach, making gas expand like crazy. You'll feel bloated, uncomfortable, and honestly, maybe a little gassy. And if there's turbulence? That carbonation can make nausea way worse.

Flight attendants know this. They'll tell you to skip it. Being stuck in a tiny seat for hours while feeling like a balloon? No thanks.

Is it safe to order alcohol on a flight?

Sure, a glass of wine sounds relaxing. But here's the thing—alcohol's a diuretic. It dries you out. Planes already have ridiculously dry air, often below 20% humidity, so you're losing moisture fast. Add alcohol to that and you're asking for headaches, dry skin, and exhaustion. Plus, it messes with your judgment and makes jet lag hit harder.

Experts say skip it or at least match every drink with water. But honestly? Just avoid it. Stick to water and you'll feel way better when you land.

Why is coffee or tea not recommended on a plane?

Hot drinks like coffee and tea? They're made from the plane's tap water. And those water tanks? Not cleaned as often as you'd hope. Studies have found bacteria in them, even E. coli. Yeah, the water's heated, but the tanks themselves are sketchy.

Plus, caffeine's a diuretic too. So you're getting dehydrated from both the drink and the cabin air. Better to grab bottled water or ask for herbal tea made with that bottled water instead.

What about fruit juices or sugary drinks?

Fruit juices—orange, cranberry, whatever—they're loaded with sugar. That sugar spike feels good for a minute, then you crash. Tired, irritable, the works. And your body uses extra water to process all that sugar, so you're actually getting more dehydrated.

Then there's the acidity. Citrus juices can trigger heartburn or acid reflux, which is already worse on planes due to pressure changes. Skip the sugary stuff. Go for water with lemon or unsweetened iced tea instead.

Expert data on beverage choices for air travel

Here's a quick look at how different drinks affect you up in the air:

Checklist: Drinks to avoid and what to choose instead

Use this to make smarter choices next time you fly:

• Avoid: Soda, sparkling water, beer. Choose: Still water or herbal tea.
• Avoid: Wine, cocktails, spirits. Choose: Water with lemon or cucumber.
• Avoid: Coffee, black tea, green tea. Choose: Chamomile or peppermint tea (made with bottled water).
• Avoid: Orange juice, cranberry juice, sugary sodas. Choose: Infused water or unsweetened iced tea.
• Avoid: Any drink with ice (may be made from tap water). Choose: Bottled water at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)