Things You Should Avoid On A Plane According To Flight Attendants

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Things You Should Avoid On A Plane According To Flight Attendants

Flight Attendants have flown on hundreds, if not thousands of flights and can tell you that they’ve seen a lot of things that just might surprise you. While a plane seems like a safe, clean place, this isn’t always the case. Here are some things you should avoid on a plane according to flight attendants.

Any Beverage With Water In It

Many airlines are trying to entice their passengers by serving tea or coffee made by Starbucks or other quality retailers. However, you should really stay away from these drinks. This is because the water on board a plane isn’t always that clean. The dispenser where they get the water from, to brew the tea or the coffee, is rarely cleaned very well. The result is a drink that may contain a lot of bacteria. The other issue could be ice – some water tanks are old and could harbor bacteria.  Consider bringing a travel cup with you and filling it with ice once you have passed TSA. Buy your coffee before you get on your flight – otherwise stick to bottled water, soda & juices.

Foods That Are Warm

Most airlines don’t serve extensive meals anymore because they don’t have a way to heat them up. It’s pretty rare for airlines to have a microwave and many of those that used to have an oven are doing away with them. What this means is that although your flight attendant will do what they can to keep your food warm, there’s only so much they can do to keep it from being at an inedible temperature when it arrives to you. Read more on Best Food for Long Flights.

Walking Around In Socks

Sure you want to be comfy on a plane and slip off your shoes, but do you realize just how many germs are on the floor? Don’t ever walk around in just your socks, especially to the bathroom. Consider packing slippers to wear when you are on board an airplane Once you are finished with them you can stow them away in a large, Ziploc bag to keep germs at bay.

Eating Off Of Your Tray Table

If you have little ones it’s probably not uncommon for you put down some cereal or small snack items on their highchair tray when you are at home. However, you should never do this with the tray table on an airplane. Sure, flight attendants do try to clean them in between flights, but if they are in a hurry some of them will get overlooked or not cleaned properly. What’s worse is that sometimes parents will even change their baby’ diapers on the tray table, so keep that in mind unless you bring sanitizing wipes which we strongly recommend.

Avoid Turning off the Air Vent Over Your Seat

It can be chilly, but doctors recommend that you leave them on medium or high so that germs can be blown away from your area.

Avoid the Pillows & Blankets on A Plane

Pillow & blankets usually don’t get washed until the end of the day so unless its wrapped in a sealed bag, avoid using them.  Bring your own travel pillow and blanket.

Drinking Alcohol

Flight attendants have really seen it all and some of their best stories involve intoxicated passengers. When you consume alcoholic beverages on an airplane it can make you feel a lot more intoxicated. This has to do with the fact that there is less oxygen on a plane. It’s best to not drink during a flight or at least limit the amount that you do drink.

Other blogs that you may find helpful including Essential Items to Have in your Carry-on bag, backpack vs suitcase, 5 Foods You Should Avoid When Traveling Abroad

Knowing what to avoid on a plane helps you arrive at your best. For when unavoidable issues arise, our flight delay and cancellation guide ensures you always know exactly what to do.

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.