The Hidden Risks of Airplane Ice in Beverages

As the travel bug takes hold, one might eagerly anticipate the thrill of an in-flight beverage. Yet, while savoring sip by sip at 30,000 feet, consider dodging one seemingly innocent aspect – the humble ice cube.

An Unsettling Chill: On-Board Ice

The source of ice isn’t always an ice machine, especially when it comes to planes. Instead, it often arrives via third-party services. As revealed by a 2017 study in the Annals of Microbiology, ice cubes sampled from both domestic and industrial facilities contained over 50 different strains of bacteria. In essence, from the factory to the cup, these cubes potentially gather contaminants and introduce them into your beverage. Moreover, onboard trays used for handling ice may not be too hygienic.

As noted by an anonymous flight attendant on a viral Reddit thread, “The ice is put in a tray with a scoop, and the trays don’t get cleaned very often.” A chilling thought indeed when considering the hundreds of individuals who interact with every surface during each flight.

Questionable Airline Hygiene Since 2017

Fast forward from 2017 to today’s age, and concerns continue to mount. Cabin cleaner Verna Montalvo disclosed that tight schedules and labor shortages often limit effective cleaning routines during brief turnovers between flights. Meanwhile, there’s also alarming news about onboard drinking water – as per research by Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center at City University New York, in 2019, which indicated potentially unsafe conditions for human consumption on various airlines.

Researchers have found that certain beverages can significantly reduce bacterial risk if they have a certain content type or acidity levels. This is why going with the old Coke and lemon is always a safe bet.

However convenient it may seem to quench your thirst midair with a refreshing beverage complete with clinking ice cubes, making smarter choices could steer you clear of potential pathogens that affect your health.