Study Flags E. coli Violations in U.S. Airline Water Systems

A New York–based research group, the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity, analyzed more than 35,000 water-system samples from major and regional airlines between 2022 and 2025 and found 32 E. coli violations across 21 carriers, raising questions about the safety of onboard tap water. The study scored airlines on contamination violations, maintenance practices and cleaning frequency, classifying scores of 3.5 or higher as relatively safe and lower scores as potentially unhealthy. Delta Air Lines received the strongest water-safety marks, with Alaska Airlines also ranking well, while Spirit, JetBlue and American Airlines were among the lowest performers; Spirit and American responded that their water programs comply with EPA’s Aircraft Drinking Water Rule and said they are reviewing the analysis. Researcher Charles Platkin said airlines lean heavily on self-reported federal compliance and argued that “compliance should be the floor, not the ceiling,” while dietitian Nicolette M. Pace urged passengers—especially children, older adults and the immunocompromised—to favor bottled or refilled water from the terminal and hand sanitizer over airplane tap water. The findings spotlight a little-scrutinized public-health vulnerability in routine air travel and could increase pressure on carriers and regulators to strengthen testing, reporting and maintenance of onboard potable-water systems.