Planes are fascinating, aren’t they? A big metal tube hurtling through the air—it’s like something out of a science fiction movie, and we’ve been at it for more than 100 years! Even if you’re not a frequent flier like I am, there are just so many quirky details to discover about airplanes, like what that maple-syrup smell during takeoff is, and why on earth they have those little triangles above certain airplane windows. Now there’s another surprising fun fact to add to the list—and it might just be the strangest one yet.
Are you ready for this? Pilots use fizzy drinks, like club soda and sparkling water, to clean their windshield! (The plane’s windshield, that is.) I had never heard of this until recently, when I saw it happen in a viral Instagram video. A pilot was hanging out the cockpit window, dousing the windshield with a canned drink, most likely a lime-flavored La Croix. Yes, really. I had so many questions: Do pilots do this all the time? Could it hurt the plane somehow? And what’s so special about a lime La Croix?
I had to get to the bottom of this—and I knew just who to ask. Keep reading as former commercial pilot Daniel Bubb and Mark Woods, co-founder and vice president of flight operations at Nevada-based private jet charter and management company Cirrus Aviation Services, spill the tea … er, soda … on this unusual practice.
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Why do pilots wash plane windshields with soda?
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To clean off the gunk! Pilots behind the controls of a plane need a clear view just as much as car drivers do, arguably more so. “Like automobile windshields, airplane windshields are not immune to the elements, accumulating dirt, grime, bugs and other pollutants,” Bubb explains. “It is critical to keep airplane windshields clean for visibility and safety reasons.”
For a pilot, even a single bug splatter can be dangerous. Bubb says that in the sky, another airplane off in the distance—even a large commercial jet—can appear no bigger than the tip of a pen. For planes without a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which warns pilots of other aircraft in their immediate vicinity, it’s critical that the pilot see everything out in front of them. These TCAS systems are found primarily in commercial and corporate airplanes, so not all planes have them.
Clean windshields are important when you’re on the ground too. Woods points out that reduced visibility from the cockpit can interfere with seeing runway markings, terrain and weather. “Even small smears or bug buildup can cause glare in sunlight, which is especially dangerous during takeoff, landing or low-sun conditions,” he adds.
That all makes sense. After all, who doesn’t want pilots to operate as safely as possible? So, where does the La Croix come in?
Why does this work?
There’s some pretty simple science behind the effectiveness of bubbly drinks. The carbonation in club soda and sparkling water helps gently loosen and lift bug guts, dirt and grime that coat glass surfaces, while the mineral content adds some cleaning power without harsh chemicals. Also important, club soda doesn’t leave behind streaks or residue like sugary drinks would, making it pretty effective for a quick but temporary cleaning without requiring extra rinsing.
But soda’s not going to work on everything. Woods explains that carbonated beverages are primarily helpful with removing dried bugs and light organic residue—not grease, oil, exhaust, soot or anything bonded to the surface.
Do all types of soda do the trick?
Not exactly. Pilots avoid sticky, sugary sodas with coloring, such as Coca-Cola, because they leave a residue and attract dirt. Club soda and sparkling water are mild and unlikely to damage airplane windshields, which are durable yet quite sensitive to abrasive or chemically harsh liquids. Most are constructed from laminated glass or acrylic/polycarbonate, and while they’re engineered to withstand extreme conditions, including rapid temperature changes and roughly five tons of pressure during flight, a little TLC keeps them in tip-top shape.
“They also often have specialized coatings for strength, anti-fogging and heat, which means they require far more care than a car windshield,” Woods says. So even if a pilot spots a bug before takeoff, they must be mindful not to damage the windshield and its protective coating. A quick hit of soda can help. But, Woods advises, “If used at all, soda should be immediately rinsed off with clean water.”
Why don’t they just use a proper cleaning product?
Convenience. You know how drivers in cold climates sometimes toss snow on a filthy windshield when they’re out of washer fluid? It’s definitely not ideal, but it works. Similarly, sometimes club soda or sparkling water is just a whole lot faster and handier for a pilot to grab.
And if you think it’s not the pilot’s job to clean their own windshield, think again. “Unless the airplane is being sent to a facility for maintenance, the ground crew will not wash the plane at night, thus, it will be the pilots’ responsibility the next day to clean the windshield as they prepare the airplane for departure,” Bubb points out.
Do all pilots do this?
“Personally, I’ve never used soda water,” Bubb says, “but if it works, is not abrasive and does not cause damage over time, why not use it?”
But Woods says pilots at his company would never implement this across the board, because some windshields in smaller, non-commercial aircraft (like those in his company’s fleet) should only be cleaned with approved products.
“Many pilots have seen or used this trick when nothing else was available, but it’s considered an emergency or convenience solution, not standard practice,” Woods says.
Is this safe for the plane’s windshield?
Club soda and sparkling water are generally safe for a plane’s windshield, with the caveat that they are used carefully and very infrequently. Pilots are trained to avoid anything that could be a safety hazard, such as using caustic cleaners that could compromise safety or visibility.
“There are little tricks pilots can use for different purposes, as long as they are safe, but it always is best to err on the side of caution to ensure they are using Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aircraft manufacturer-approved materials,” Bubb says. “Whenever in doubt, the pilots can call the ground crew to bring a windshield cleaner that is approved by the FAA.”
Does the FAA have any rules about this?
The FAA does not have a specific rule addressing the use of club soda or sparkling water to clean aircraft windshields. “The FAA doesn’t specify cleaning products, but it does require that aircraft be maintained in an airworthy condition and that manufacturers’ maintenance guidance be followed,” Woods says. “That guidance typically discourages unapproved substances.”
Bubb adds that the agency “likely would urge the airplane operator to [use] cleaners approved by the aircraft manufacturer” and sourced from trusted aviation suppliers. In other words, while club soda and sparkling water may work as a cleaner in a tight spot, a pilot clearly understands that those cans of Coke and Sprite in the galley are better served to passengers than splashed on a plane’s windshield.
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Sources:
- Dan Bubb, PhD, former first officer at Air Vegas Airlines, associate professor at the University of Nevada and author of Landing in Las Vegas; email interview, January 2026
- Mark Woods, co-founder and vice president of flight operations at Cirrus Aviation Services; email interview, January 2026
- Bob Vila: “15 Creative Uses for Club Soda”
- Instagram: “@thejoischweitzer”
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