Airplane coffee, tea, and tap water usually come from onboard potable water tanks filled by airport water trucks or hoses, not directly from bottles. While the water meets basic safety rules, tank cleanliness and handling can vary by airline and aircraft, and tanks may not be cleaned often. Coffee and tea water is heated but may not reach a full boil, which limits sanitation. Ice is typically loaded by catering companies and may come from ground ice machines, where handling and storage matter. Many airlines have improved testing and cleaning, but risks still depend on maintenance and catering practices. For sensitive travelers, bottled water and drinks without ice are the safest choices.
