"To determine the water quality provided on board various airlines that serve the U.S., the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity (CFML) took its time analyzing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data from October 2022 to September 2025. Airplane water was last assessed in 2019, eight years after the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR), aka the first law mandating safe drinking water on planes, was passed. Those results showed that although water quality had improved since 2012, it was still largely not very good anywhere."
"The 2026 study looked at 11 regional airlines and 10 major airlines, grading each from A to F based on their "Water Safety Score." A score of 3.5 or better would earn a grade A or B. This score was based on five factors: any violations per aircraft, maximum contamination level violations for E. coli, indicator-positive rates, public notices, and disinfecting and flushing frequency. Ultimately, only two out of 21 airlines - Delta and Frontier - got an A grade."
EPA records from October 2022 to September 2025 were analyzed to assess onboard drinking water quality for 21 U.S.-operating airlines. Eleven regional and ten major carriers were evaluated using a Water Safety Score based on five factors: any violations per aircraft; maximum contamination level violations for E. coli; indicator-positive rates; public notices; and disinfecting and flushing frequency. Only two airlines achieved A grades; others received lower grades. Airplane water assessments in 2019 showed improvements since 2012 but remained largely poor. The Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) mandates safe drinking water on planes, yet violations persist.
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