Confession: I almost never wash my hands in an airplane bathroom. I promise I’m not disgusting; I’m just a little, maybe a lot, germophobic. Can you blame me? There’s just something about the idea of sharing a cramped, plastic cubicle with hundreds of strangers that makes my body hit pause on all but the most urgent functions. Generally, I see this as a curse. But there’s one silver lining: Fewer trips to the airplane bathroom means fewer encounters with its germy horrors.
Sure, you expect some germs in any public restroom. Oh, hello, mystery moisture and toilet flush plumes (we’ll get to those in a minute). But did you know that even the sink water on a plane—yes, the stuff meant to clean your hands—might actually be really gross and making things worse?
Suddenly, those hand-washing brownie points don’t seem worth the E. coli side effects. But how bad is it really? Should we just never wash our hands on a plane again? And if not … then what? Read on to get the expert advice you need from a microbiologist and a flight attendant on staying safe from bathroom germs at 30,000 feet and still engaging in proper bathroom etiquette.
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What’s the issue with the water in an airplane bathroom?
Let’s start with the obvious: The water in airplane bathrooms isn’t bottled. Instead, it comes from an onboard water reservoir filled before each flight, and while that may sound official and sanitary, these tanks have a bit of a reputation. What does this mean, exactly? We’re about to tell you, so brace yourself.
It may contain harmful bacteria
“It’s been known for over 20 years that the water reservoirs in a plane may allow microbial growth, including fecal coliforms like E. coli,” says microbiologist Jason Tetro, author of The Germ Code. “These are potential pathogens, and they pose a threat to human health.”
A 2019 study from the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center tested water quality from 11 major U.S. airlines and 12 regional ones. Only four passed. Four! I’ve seen better success with middle school group projects. The EPA has also cited airlines multiple times for violations of the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (which is a real thing, enacted in 2011 because those stats used to be way worse).
The delivery system is full of contamination risks
According to Cecily Anderson, who’s worked as a flight attendant for all four major U.S. airlines, the issue isn’t just that it’s bathroom water—the whole water delivery system is the problem. “Water trucks are filled with water at the airport and then they drive it out to the airplane,” she explains. “They hook up a hose to a port on the belly of the plane and fill up the tanks, which are usually in the lower fuselage.” So essentially, your sink water takes a little road trip before it even hits the faucet.
The trouble is that contamination can happen at any step—dirty trucks, sketchy hoses or gunk in the plane’s holding tanks. The EPA does require airlines to clean and disinfect those tanks four times a year. But … that’s only four times a year. I mean, if your fridge pitcher was cleaned only quarterly, would you still drink water from it? (You know what—don’t answer that. What happens in your home stays in your home.)
But wait—shouldn’t you clean your hands after using the restroom?
Absolutely. No one is suggesting that you skip all hygiene. “I just tell passengers to use sanitizer after using the lavatory,” Anderson says. “It’s faster anyhow.”
But Tetro says that while he would not drink the water on an airplane, he does still use it to wash his hands. “Think of it like lake water,” he says. “It’s not drinkable, but if you’re careful with your washing technique and dry thoroughly, you can minimize the risk.”
Why the emphasis on soap and water? “Hand sanitizers are just as effective at keeping hands safe—except for some pathogens like C. difficile and norovirus. For those, hand-washing is really the only viable option,” he says. And if you’ve ever had either of those bugs, you know they can wreck your vacation and your life once you get home. Don’t (ahem) poo-poo this. The risk is real: A 2022 study in Clinical Infectious Diseases traced repeated norovirus outbreaks to contamination in airplane bathrooms.
The key to avoiding that gastrointestinal misery, Tetro adds, is good, old-fashioned hand-washing technique: soap, warm water, a solid 30-second lather and drying your hands thoroughly. Damp hands are like a VIP pass for bacteria. And whatever you do, do not dry your hands on your germy pants.
Want to cover all your bases? For extra security you can use hand sanitizer after washing your hands. “For the record, I carry hand sanitizer everywhere,” Tetro says.
What other issues does the airplane bathroom pose?
It’s not just the water. The entire airplane bathroom, like any public bathroom, is basically a germ nightclub. Tetro says it’s “where we emit the largest number of potentially troubling microbes.” That’s scientist-speak for the fact that our bodies are germ factories. And flushing the toilet? That’s a microbial magic trick—except instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, it sends “an aerosolized fecal plume” (i.e., a fountain of poop particles) all over the surfaces.
But the toilet isn’t even the biggest issue. “The door handles are one of the highest-risk surfaces on the plane and should not be touched with the bare hand when exiting,” says Tetro. “Use a paper towel or some other covering surface, but make sure you don’t put that anywhere near your nose or mouth afterward.” And for the love of Weezer, do not use the sweater-over-the-hand trick to open the door. Then you’re just giving the germs a free buddy pass to your trip.
Finally, don’t forget about the other “high touch” areas in the bathroom, like sink knobs, flush buttons and the countertop—you know, all the places everyone touches after using the toilet and before washing. (This includes your plane pillows and blankets, FYI.)
How should you protect yourself from this cornucopia of surface germs?
Don’t worry, we’re not saying you have to board your next flight in a hazmat suit (though if you do, please send pics). Here’s how to stay clean and sane on your next flight:
- Bring hand sanitizer. Just make sure to pack the travel size, 3.4 ounces or less, to abide by TSA rules.
- Use a paper towel to open doors. Grab a fresh one after you wash and dry your hands, and use it to exit. Then toss it immediately.
- Avoid touching your face. At least until you’ve sanitized. No nose-scratching, no eye-rubbing and no chin-stroking while contemplating your in-flight snack options (and why they’ve gotten so small).
- Keep disinfecting wipes handy. Wipe down anything you’re going to touch for a long time, like the tray table or seat arms.
- Dry thoroughly. If you do wash with airplane sink water, drying your hands well is essential.
- Opt for preflight hygiene. Go before you board. Not only is the airport bathroom bigger and cleaner, but there’s actual water pressure, as well as room to turn around without backing into the toilet.
- Or just hold it the whole flight like I do. It’s terrible. I don’t recommend it.
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About the experts
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Jason Tetro, microbiologist, author of The Germ Code and The Germ Files, and host of the Super Awesome Science Show podcast; phone interview, July 26, 2025
- Cecily Anderson, flight attendant with more than 20 years experience; phone interview, July 28, 2025
- Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center: “Airline water study”
- Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease: “Microorganisms @ materials surfaces in aircraft: Potential risks for public health? – A systematic review”
- CIDRAP: “EPA finds E. coli, coliform in airplane water tests”
- Clinical Infectious Diseases, Oxford Academic: “Recurring Norovirus Transmission on an Airplane”
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings: “The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence”
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