There’s One Drink Flight Attendants Wish More Passengers Would Order

Plain water may be the smartest choice when the beverage cart arrives, as aircraft cabins can have extremely low humidity. Research also shows cabin conditions can change how passengers perceive sweetness and saltiness. (Pexels).

Flying has a funny way of making ordinary choices feel complicated, including what to order when the beverage cart reaches your row. Ginger ale has a loyal following, tomato juice somehow tastes better at altitude, and some travelers see a cocktail as part of the vacation.

But according to flight attendants interviewed by Travel + Leisure, the best drink on a plane is far less exciting: plain water. There are practical reasons why choosing water can make a noticeable difference, especially on longer flights. And some of those reasons have less to do with dramatic “dehydration” warnings than with what actually happens to your body inside a dry, pressurized cabin.