Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Feb 20, 2026

Flight attendant shares horror stories about plane travel

Revealing why you should NEVER order hot drinks, avoid asking staff to help with luggage, and always bring your own pillow

Jamila Hardwick shared some insider tips for airline passengers. She revealed the gross reason why people should never order tea or coffee.

The flight attendant, who did not disclose the name of the airline she works for, also advised passengers to bring their own cleaning wipes on board . Jamila answered the query as to whether pillows and blankets are washed . The airline staffer added that flight attendants don't get paid until the doors close on the plan, so don't ask them to help store baggage

Celebrities might be known for their outlandish in-flight wellness routines, but no-one knows more about staying germ-free on a plane than a flight attendant.

Jamila Hardwick, a flight attendant and vlogger, recently revealed her tried-and-tested tips for flying to Inside Edition, as she demonstrated an average day in her job at the Los Angeles-based film set company Air Hollywood.

Shockingly, she advised passengers to never order tea or coffee as the pipes in the cabin are 'rarely' cleaned.

While it is unknown what airline Jamila works for, the video went viral again earlier this week when it was shared on Instagram.

Inside Edition revealed that airlines are only required to disinfect the water tanks four times a year.

'The thing about the coffee and tea, the pipes are rarely cleaned,' Jamila told the outlet, as she added that you'll likely never see an off-duty flight attendant order a warm beverage when they fly themselves.

Another thing you'll probably never witness them doing? Using the provided blankets and pillows during long-haul flights.

'These get washed, but we're not sure how great they get washed,' Jamila said pointing to the standard issue blankets.

As for the pillows? 'They take the off the lining and wash it, but the pillow inside is still dirty,' Jamila said, virtually squirming at the thought of the germs.

When it comes to germs, another thing to consider is the tray at your seat and how unclean it is by the time you board a flight.

'This is disgusting,' Jamila said. 'When cleaners come on they don't have time to wipe down every individual tray so it's best to bring wet wipes.

'Please bring them on, please clean off your trays before you put anything on here,' she said.

If you've ever wondered why flight attendants take so long to pour your soda order, it might be because you requested a Diet Coke.

Jamila showed that the carbonated drinks takes so much longer to pour because it fizzed up while in the cabin.

'I don't know what it is about the chemistry in Diet Coke and us being 40,000 feet in the air. By the time we pour it, we could have three other drinks poured,' she claimed.

Jamila advised passengers to refrain from asking flight attendants to help store their baggage - as their shift technically does not start until the door of the plane closes before takeoff.

Not only are they not paid to assist passengers with bags, but if something falls and they are injured, there's nothing a flight attendant can do about it as they were not technically supposed to be working.


And as for her golden tip? Just be nice.

'We're more likely to help you find a better seat if you're nice to us,' she said. 'And maybe an extra drink. Or two!'

In a statement to Inside Edition, A4A (Airlines for America), confirmed that the water they use 'is the same water source used throughout the airport, including for water fountains and restaurants, and delivered to homes, businesses and local communities each and every day.'

The statement continued, 'Airlines work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that water received from municipalities is safe and to maintain that safety by following rigorous sampling and management requirements, which include disinfection and flushing of the aircraft water tanks on a schedule required by regulation.'

When the video was shared on YouTube, commentors were pretty grossed out about the water pipe revelation.

'Good thing I only had tea once on a plane..& I’ll definitely bring wipes next time I fly,' said one user.

'My mother taught me to never order tea or coffee in places like these they grow bacteria like crazy,' said another.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Early 2026 Data Suggests Tentative Recovery for UK Businesses and Households
UK Introduces Digital-First Passport Rules for Dual Citizens in Border Control Overhaul
Unable to Access Live Financial Data for January UK Surplus Report
UK ‘Working Closely with US’ to Assess Impact of Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
Trump Criticises UK Decision to Restrict Use of Bases in Potential Iran Strike Scenario
UK Foreign Secretary and U.S. State Chief Hold Strategic Talks as Tensions Rise Over Joint Air Base
King Charles III Opens London Fashion Week as Royal Family Faces Fresh Scrutiny
Trump’s Evolving Stance on UK Chagos Islands Deal Draws Renewed Scrutiny
House Democrat Says Former UK Ambassador Unable to Testify in Congressional Epstein Inquiry
No Record of Prince Andrew Arrest in UK as Claims Circulate Online
UK Has Not Granted US Approval to Launch Iran Strikes from RAF Bases, Government Confirms
UK Intensifies Efforts to Secure Saudi Investment in Next-Generation Fighter Jet Programme
Former Student Files Civil Claim Against UK Authorities After Rape Charges Against Peers Are Dropped
Archer Aviation Chooses Bristol for New UK Engineering Hub to Drive Electric Air Taxi Expansion
UK Sees Surge in Medical Device Testing as Government Pushes Global Competitiveness
UK Competition Watchdog Flags Concerns Over Proposed Getty Images–Shutterstock Merger
Trump Reasserts Opposition to UK Chagos Islands Proposal, Urges Stronger Strategic Alignment
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis advocates for a ban on minors using social media.
Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash Accuses Prime Minister of Lying to Australians
Meanwhile in Time Square, NYC One of the most famous landmarks
Jensen Huang just told the story of how Elon Musk became NVIDIA’s very first customer for their powerful AI supercomputer
A Lunar New Year event in Taiwan briefly came to a halt after a temple official standing beside President Lai Ching‑te suddenly vomited, splashing Lai’s clothing
Jillian Michaels reveals Bill Gates’ $55 million investment in mRNA vaccines turned into over $1 billion.
Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrested
Former British Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Four Chagos Islanders Establish Permanent Settlement on Atoll
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
UK Inflation Slows Sharply in January, Strengthening Case for Bank of England Rate Cut
Hide the truth, fake the facts, pretend the opposite, Britain is as usual
UK Inflation Falls to Ten-Month Low, Markets Anticipate Interest Rate Cut
UK House Prices Climb 2.4% in December as Market Shows Signs of Stabilisation
BAE Systems Predicts Sustained Expansion as Defence Orders Reach Record High
Pro-Palestine Activists Cleared of Burglary Charges Over Break-In at UK Israeli Arms Facility
Former Reform UK Councillors Form New Local Group Amid Party Fragmentation
Reform UK Pledges to Retain Britain’s Budget Watchdog as It Seeks Broader Economic Credibility
Miliband Defends UK-California Clean Energy Pact After Sharp Criticism by Trump
University of Kentucky to Host 2026 Summer Camps Fair Connecting Families with Local Programmes
UK Police Forces Assess Claims Jeffrey Epstein Used Stansted Airport Flights in Trafficking Network
UK-Focused Equity ETF FLGB Climbs to Fresh 52-Week Peak on Strong Market Sentiment
Trump Warns UK’s Chagos Islands Agreement Is a “Big Mistake” Amid Strategic Security Debate
Trump Urges UK to Retain Sovereignty Over Diego Garcia Amid Strategic Concerns
Italian Police Arrest Man After Alleged Attempt to Abduct Toddler at Bergamo Supermarket, Child Hospitalised With Fractured Femur
Reform UK Appoints Former Conservative Minister Robert Jenrick as Finance Chief
UK Unemployment Rises to Highest in Nearly Five Years as Labour Market Weakens
Rupert Lowe Advocates for English-Only Use in the UK
US Successfully Transports Small Nuclear Reactor from California to Utah
South Korea's traditional sand wrestling sport ssireum faces declining interest at home
Japan outlawed Islam
Virginia Giuffre accuses Epstein of trafficking to powerful men for blackmail.
New Mexico lawmakers initiate investigation into Zorro Ranch linked to Jeffrey Epstein
×