Which airlines had E. coli violations according to the study?

The study found 32 E. coli violations across 21 airlines between 2022 and 2025.

What are the safest airlines for water safety?

Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines received the highest scores for water safety in the analysis.

What precautions can passengers take for airline water?

Passengers can use hand sanitizer, purchase bottled water, or fill reusable bottles after security screening.

Home / Health / Airline Water Safety: E. coli Found on 21 Carriers

Airline Water Safety: E. coli Found on 21 Carriers

21 Jan

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Summary

Over 35,000 samples analyzed between 2022 and 2025.
32 E. coli violations were discovered across 21 airlines.
Delta and Alaska Airlines scored highest for water safety.

Airline Water Safety: E. coli Found on 21 Carriers

A comprehensive study analyzing over 35,000 water samples from commercial aircraft between 2022 and 2025 has uncovered concerning levels of contamination. The research identified 32 violations related to E. coli across 21 different airlines, raising questions about passenger health and onboard hygiene practices.

The analysis, conducted by the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, evaluated airlines based on water contamination, E. coli presence, maintenance, and cleaning frequency. While Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines achieved the highest scores for water safety, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, and American Airlines ranked lower.

Researchers emphasize that compliance with regulations should be a minimum standard, not the ultimate goal for airline water safety. Experts advise passengers to take precautions such as using hand sanitizer and purchasing bottled water to minimize potential risks associated with onboard tap water.