Flight attendants have a tough job, especially if they're working on long-haul flights. Travelling is one of the most exhausting things a person can do, and the moment the attendants' trolley creeks down the aisles, the requests start coming in thick and fast.
Now, a flight attendant, has explained why no one who sees the back scenes will ever order a warm drink on a plane. She made the revelation in an interview with Inside Edition, and to be honest, it's enough to put you off flying for life!
She said the pipes used to distribute the water in coffee and tea aren't cleaned very often.
In addition to this, even if you want a soft drink instead, you should avoid Diet Coke because, for some bizarre reason, at a high altitude, it takes a lot longer to pour than other drinks. The more you know, eh?
Regardless, even if you're willing to risk it with the allegedly dirty pipes and force the service staff on your plane to pour you Diet Coke, there's one thing which you should never ask them to do: help you with your luggage.
Why? Well, firstly, they're not technically working until the boarding door has been shut.
And secondly, if your suitcase is particularly heavy and they sustain an injury as they help you store it overhead, they can't claim it on their insurance as an on-job injury.
But back to the subject of cleanliness, if you're a massive germophobe, avoid the blankets and pillows provided.
"Bring your own. These get washed, but we are not so sure how great they are washed. Same for the pillow. They will take the lining off the pillow and give you a new one but you still have the pillow in there that's dirty," she said.
Oh, and if you've ever wondered, yes, yes the cabin crew are judging you for your fashion choices.
"We're not supposed to tell you this, but we think, 'Why would you wear that on a plane?'" she said.
She ended her interview by saying that as is the case in just about every other industry, manners really will get you everywhere with flight attendants.
"We are more likely to help you find a better seat if you are nice to us and maybe get an extra drink or two," she said.
Since the interview was published, Airlines for America (A44) has responded to the claims about the water quality on planes.
In a statement to Inside Edition, A4A said: "Every crewmember's number one priority - from boarding to arrival - is safety, and they take that responsibility seriously. Flight attendants work hard to get travelers safely to their destinations across the country and around the world, while ensuring an enjoyable environment for everyone.
"The safety of passengers and crew also includes the provision of clean drinking water and amenities. The onboard water systems are filled with water from municipal systems, which is the same water source used throughout the airport, including for water fountains and restaurants, and delivered to homes, businesses and local communities each and every day."
She statement continued: "Airlines work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that water received from municipalities is safe and to maintain that safety by following rigorous sampling and management requirements, which include disinfection and flushing of the aircraft water tanks on a schedule required by regulation.
"Airlines work continuously to ensure a clean and comfortable cabin area for their passengers, as carriers know that the cleanliness of the aircraft is important to customers when they make their travel decisions."
