#276: Alaska's Huge Boeing Order, US Airlines With Dirtiest Tap Water

Summary

Simple Flying Aviation News Podcast – Episode #276

Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Tom Boon & Channing Reid

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Episode Overview

The Simple Flying team kicks off 2026 with a packed episode covering some of the week’s most notable commercial aviation stories. Highlights include Alaska Airlines’ record-shattering Boeing order, the centenary of Lufthansa, Hawaiian Airlines’ major infrastructure investment, the unique phenomenon of German airports serving as sanctuaries for dogs on New Year’s Eve, and a surprising report on the state of tap water aboard US airlines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alaska Airlines’ Largest-Ever Boeing Order

[01:02–07:19]
Channing details Alaska Airlines’ massive new order with Boeing—the largest in the airline’s history—and what it means for the future of their fleet and network.

• Order Details & Fleet Strategy
  • Alaska announced an order for 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, with options for 35 more.
  • Includes the airline’s first-ever widebody order: 5 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, signaling long-haul ambitions.
  • The MAX 10 will serve high-density routes and modernize the single-aisle fleet.
  • The first 787 has arrived in Alaska’s new livery, described by Channing as “a striking livery on that aircraft.” (B, 06:10)
• Executive Perspective
  • Ben Minicucci (CEO/President): “This fleet investment builds on the strong foundation Alaska has created... another building block in executing our Alaska Accelerate strategic plan.” (B, 06:28)
• Future Implications
  • The order marks the 60th anniversary of the Alaska-Boeing partnership.
  • Raises questions about the fate of Airbus fleet inherited from Hawaiian, especially the A321neo.
  • Incorporating 787s and potential Sunsetting of Airbus single-aisles will reshape operations and brand direction.

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2. Lufthansa Celebrates 100 Years

[07:19–11:57]
Tom narrates the legacy and future vision of Lufthansa as the airline brand turns 100.

• Historical Context
  • Lufthansa’s origins trace to a 1926 merger; the iconic crane logo even predates the airline.
  • Endured world wars, political turbulence, and pandemic-induced crisis, emerging as a pillar of European aviation.
• Centennial Celebrations
  • January 6, 2026: Lufthansa’s official 100th anniversary.
  • Tom attended Frankfurt for the ceremonial delivery of a special 787 Dreamliner in anniversary livery, calling it “a masterclass in less is more.” (A, 09:02)
• Modernization & Reflection
  • The new Dreamliner bridges heritage with innovation—carbon fiber, dimmable windows, modern cabin.
  • The event symbolized optimism: “For a brand that’s officially turning 100 yesterday... they’re looking remarkably young.” (A, 11:32)
• Looking Ahead
  • Lufthansa plans continued upgrades, including their new Allegris cabins.

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3. Hawaiian Airlines’ $600 Million Investment Plan

[12:17–18:32]
Channing unpacks Hawaiian Airlines’ five-year modernization plan, launched as the carrier integrates with Alaska.

• Investment Scope
  • $600 million allocated through 2029 for airport upgrades, improved passenger flow, expanded premium lounges, and better terminal amenities.
  • CEO Diana Burkett Rakow: “Our Kahu Wei Hawaii investment plan... reflects our liana to our people and guests in the islands and reinforces our commitment to deliver safe and remarkable service...” (B, 13:36)
• Technology Upgrade
  • New app and website improvements aimed at simplifying travel planning and managing the Alaska-Hawaiian system merger.
  • Integration bumps include frustrating IT issues, as reflected in recent Facebook feedback from passengers.
• Fleet Refurbishment
  • A330s will receive full interior upgrades (2028+): new seats, lighting, premium economy cabins, Bluetooth-enabled IFE, and free Starlink Wi-Fi.
  • 3 A330 aircraft being acquired off lease; A321neo fate unclear.

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4. German Airports as New Year’s Eve Dog Refuges

[19:07–22:40]
Tom shares the quirky and heartwarming trend of German airports becoming havens for dogs during the extreme fireworks of New Year’s Eve.

• The Phenomenon
  • Over 400,000 tons of fireworks turn German cities into war zones on “Sylvester” (Jan 1), terrifying pets.
  • “If you were at Frankfurt...you would have seen...hundreds of four legged residents lounging on the floor.” (A, 20:14)
• Why Airports?
  • Aviation regulations create legally enforced “silent zones”—fireworks are banned around airports.
  • Sound-proof hotels block both jet and firework noise.
• Embraced by Industry
  • Airports and hotels now cater to this trend: dog training days, pet packages, and full bookings on NYE.
  • “The runway isn’t just a place to take off, it’s a place to find a little bit of peace.” (A, 22:28)

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5. US Airline Tap Water Study: The Dirtiest and the Cleanest

[22:40–28:37]
Channing explores a new study on water quality aboard US airlines—results that may change what passengers drink in the sky.

• The Study
  • Conducted by the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity (2022–2025).
  • Rated 21 airlines; 3.5+ is considered good (Grades A/B).
• Top and Bottom Performers
  • Best: Delta (5.0, A), Frontier (A), Alaska (B)
  • Worst: American Airlines (1.75, D)
• Safety Concerns
  • 3% of airline water tested positive for coliform bacteria, which can indicate presence of disease-causing organisms.
  • Advice from the study:
    • “Never drink any water on board that isn’t in a sealed bottle.”
    • “Do not drink coffee or tea.”
    • “Do not wash your hands in the bathroom.” (B, 26:43)
• Memorable Quotes & Reactions
  • “As an aviation journalist, I feel like we’ve talked about this...flight attendants...say, ‘Yeah, I wouldn’t necessarily order coffee or tea on board.’” (B, 23:49)
  • Tom: “I’ve always subscribed to this, only drinking bottled water...But I’ve never considered washing your hands or drinking coffee before actually. So that’s an interesting one for sure.” (A, 27:47)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Channing on Alaska’s Fleet Modernization:
  “These planes will fuel our expansion to more destinations across the globe and ensure our guests travel aboard the newest, most fuel efficient and state of the art aircraft.”
  — Ben Minicucci, Alaska CEO/President ([06:28])

• Tom on Lufthansa's Centennial Livery:
  “If you haven’t seen the photos...it’s a masterclass in less is more.” ([09:02])

• Tom on German Airport Silence:
  “This creates a literal bubble of silence in the middle of urban chaos.” ([20:42])

• Channing on Airline Water:
  “Never drink any water on board that isn’t in a sealed bottle. Do not drink coffee or tea on board. And do not wash your hands in the bathroom.” ([26:43])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02] – Alaska’s Boeing order news
• [07:19] – Lufthansa 100-year milestone & 787 delivery
• [12:17] – Hawaiian Airlines’ $600M investment plan
• [19:07] – German airports as NYE sanctuaries for dogs
• [22:40] – US airline tap water study results and recommendations

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Staying true to the podcast’s insightful tone, this episode delivers expert analysis, behind-the-scenes observations, and practical (sometimes offbeat) advice for aviation fans and travelers alike.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, my name's Tom Boone.

[B]

And I'm Channing Reid.

[A]

We're back with the first 2026 episode of the Simple Flying podcast where we'll give you the lowdown on the latest news from the world of commercial aviation. Here's what we have for you this week.

[B]

Coming up today, I'll cover Alaska Airlines major order for new Boeing aircraft before Tom talks about the latest airline to turn 100.

[A]

Well, kinder Channing will then explore Hawaiian Airlines major investment plan to improve its passenger experience and airport infrastructure while I look at why airports in Germany are popular with four legged friends on New Year's Eve.

[B]

And finally, the next time you order hot tea or coffee on a flight, you might want to think twice the surprising new and rather yucky statistic that's catching some passengers attention.

[A]

So now you know what's in store. Let's get on with the show and I mean we'll get there in a bit. But Hawaiian Airlines major investment. I thought they were gone now.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, I know a lot of people are thinking about that as well. And Hawaiian Airlines is now a part of Alaska Airlines. And this news really hot off of the press, just happening as of a couple hours ago. But Alaska Airlines announcing a major order for new aircraft. In fact, it's the airline's largest order in its history. Which by the way, I should say happy New Year to you, Tom. Happy New Year to everyone listening to our podcast. We are excited. It's gonna be a great 2020 here at Simple Flying and it appears to be a great 2026 for Alaska Airlines and Boeing as well. And when we talk about this order, we're looking at a large order here. 105 Boeing 737 Max 10 airplanes and options for 35 more aircraft. The airline is using this variant specifically to serve high density routes and renew its existing fleet. Now included in this is five 787 widebody jets to expand the airline' long haul service to and from Europe and Asia. Now I should mention this is the airline's first ever widebody order in its history. So we know that Alaska for all of its existence up until now has been a major operator of a narrow body aircraft. But that actually has already changed as they've taken over Hawaiian airlines with the 787 aircraft and something that we also are following this week. The carrier actual just received its first 787 in its new corporate livery. If you haven't seen the photos of that, you'll have to check our coverage because it is a pretty striking livery on that aircraft. Some exciting things to look forward to for Alaska. The airline's CEO and President Ben Mnucci said this fleet investment builds on the strong foundation of Alaska has created to support steady, scalable and sustained growth and is and is another building block in executing our Alaska Accelerate strategic plan. These planes will fuel our expansion to more destinations across the globe and ensure our guests travel aboard the newest, most fuel efficient and state of the art aircraft. We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Boeing, a Pacific Northwest neighbor and a company that stands as a symbol of American innovation and manufacturing. Now the fuel efficient 737 Max 10 will grow and replace Alaska's single aisle fleet to support the carrier's modernization strategy and enable future network expansion. The carrier says by introducing the variant it will comfortably serve more passengers on more routes with the lowest cost per seat of any single aisle airplane. We have covered this before on simplifying that Boeing considers the Max 10 as the world's most profitable large single aisle aircraft and it's been very interesting to see some of the takes from our readers on that title just given that the Max 10 still has not been certified and Boeing is obviously working hard to get that aircraft certified and we know that Alaska airlines operates the 737 900ER as well as the 737 Max 9. So incorporating the Max 10 just seems like a pretty right decision for the carrier given that they're they invest a lot in those larger narrow body aircraft. Of course Alaska also has the 737800 and as well as the 737700 the 900 series was just retired last year so I can only imagine that they are hoping that the Max 10 will get certified here really soon so they can help with that gap in its capacity. Now on the other hand, the 7879 Dreamliner order supports Alaska's long haul growth plans enabling the airline to expand its international with industry leading fuel efficiency, range and passenger comfort. The 787's advanced aerodynamics, composite structure and modern cabin design make it well suited for long range international markets. Now this order kicks off the 60th year of the Two Companies Partnership, Alaska and Boeing and that started when Boeing delivered a 727 to Alaska Airlines. The airline currently operates 248737 airplanes and now has 174737 Max jets on order. The Max 10 will bring further its network and fleet flexibility while maintaining commonality which complements its fleet of of course as I mentioned the next generation 737s. So exciting news here all around for Alaska. I will say it's going to be very interesting. We know that this carrier has a very, very huge commitment to Boeing, of course, as being a major partner. But now that they own Hawaiian Airlines, they are also an operator of Airbus aircraft. We had a story go out a few weeks ago about how the airline is now analyzing its Airbus fleet and what could happen in the future with those aircraft. Specifically, Talking about the A321neos could be very interesting. With this new order for 737 Max 10s, could we see the A321neo potentially end operations with the airline? That's something that we'll probably have to sit back and watch as the time goes on. But it's other major Airbus aircraft in Hawaiian's fleet, the A330, there are plans for that in the future and I will talk about that in the next story. But very exciting news here for Alaska Airlines and we'll just have to look forward to the months and years to come for the carrier. Speaking of years, Tom, which airline has turned 100 years old? Is that right? Is there an airline that has achieved that?

[A]

Well, I mean, there's several airlines that have achieved that in various ways or forms. The first one that claimed it was BA in 2018, I think. 2017. I don't know. Actually, I was going to ask you, what did you say about the Alaska Airlines? How did you describe the Alaska Airlines 787 livery?

[B]

I think it's very striking. It's a very nice looking livery, but maybe that's just my opinion.

[A]

Well, I wanted to talk about even more striking livery and that ties in with this 100 year story. As we settle into the first week of January, the aviation world has been looking towards Germany for a very special reason. January 6th marked a monumental milestone. The 100th anniversary of the Lufthansa brand. Now. No, I say Lufthansa brand. It's a century of the iconic crane gracing the skies. And it's been fascinating to trace how a 1920 startup became the titan of European aviation we know today. Now, to understand why this date matters, we've got to go back to January 6, 1926. And I don't have a flux capacitator, so I'm just going to have to describe that to you. That was the day that Deutsche Lufthansa AG was formed through the merger of two competing entities, Deutsche Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftwerker it wasn't just a business merger. It was the birth of a national carrier that would eventually define German engineering and hospitality in the air. Now, interestingly, the famous crane logo actually predates the airline itself. It was designed back in 1918 by Otto Firella for Aerolloy's predecessor. And when the merger happened in 1926, they kept the bird. Now, a century later, it remains one of the most recognizable corporate symbols in the world. Even after the airline was forced to suspend operations following World War II and was reborn in the 1950s, that brand identity, the yellow and blue, the soaring crane, stayed at the heart of the operation. But we didn't just celebrate this milestone in the history books. We also celebrated it on the tarmacs. And on December 23, I visited Frankfurt Airport for what was a truly festive delivery event. It was a very cold and very early morning. My hands were freezing off. But the energy was high because we went airside with Lufthansa to welcome a brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner into the fleet. This wasn't any delivery, though. This aircraft, registered as delta a BB and named Berlin, arrived wearing a special 100 Years of Lufthansa livery. Now, if you haven't seen the photos on the site yet, I'd say it's a masterclass in less is more. The design features a massive crane across the whole fuselage, integrating anniversary branding with the modern, clean look Lufthansa adopted a few years ago. And I'm sorry, Channing, but I've got to say I think that one trumps the neighboring 787 in the Alaska livery. But seeing that 787 pull up was the bridge between two eras. Because on the one hand, you have a brand celebrating a century of heritage that started with open cockpit Junkers planes. And on the other, you've got the Dreamliner, which is a composite, sorry, a carbon fiber, dimmable windows, one of the most advanced aircraft in the sky. And it represents exactly where Lufthansa is heading. A more sustainable and tech forward second century. Now, during the event on the 23rd, there was a real sense of pride among the crew and the executives. For an airline that's navigated the immense highs and lows of the last hundred years, from the golden age of jet travel to a dark time during the Nazi era and existential crisis of the pandemic, taking delivery of a flagship like the787 just days before the official centennial felt like a victory lap. So as we look back on the year of the crane, it's clear that Lufthansa isn't resting on its history. Whether it's the retro inspired branding we've seen recently or the cutting edge Allegris cabins being rolled out, they're making sure that the next 100 years are just as influential as the first. And it was great to be there at the delivery to see what this new chapter is going to be in person. I would say for a brand that's officially turning 100 yesterday, as we're recording this, they're looking remarkably young.

[B]

Absolutely. With a remarkably young aircraft. Right. The 787, as you were mentioning. Yeah, it is. I have to agree with you. It is a pretty nice livery there. And I think the 787 is a great canvas for special liveries, just as that. Or maybe the A380 too could be a great idea.

[A]

Maybe we need to pause for

[B]

Tom's A380 podcast.

[A]

Yeah, I think the A380 when it comes is going to look absolutely stunning. And also the 747 8, which reminds me, I need to chase up when that's coming.

[B]

Yeah, I think both of those large jumbo jets, that livery is going to look even better. Very, very exciting for Lufthansa and of course, all of the airlines that are celebrating or getting close to celebrating a century of flying. It is a huge milestone there. Hawaiian Airlines is kind of, I would say, I, I think they're close to a century of flying. Don't quote me on that. Have to go back and check our resources for that. But the carrier is unveiling a huge investment plan of about $600 million over the next five years to comprehensively enhance the experience for its passengers traveling to and from and within the Hawaiian Airlines. And by doing this, the carrier plans on modernizing airport spaces, upgrading technology and retrofitting some aircraft interior. Hawaiian announced this earlier this week and Diana Burkett Rako, the chief executive officer for Hawaiian, said quote Hawaiian Airlines is proud to call Hawaiian home to reflect the spirit of the islands, to take care of our local guests and welcome visitors and support our communities. Our Kahu Wei Hawaii investment plan represents one of Hawaiian Airlines largest and single investments in our infrastructure, products and services in Hawaii. And it reflects our liana to our people and guests in the islands and reinforces our commitment to deliver safe and remarkable service that enables Hawaii and Hawaiian Airlines to thrive. Now let's get into some of the details of what the carrier is planning on doing. Starting this year through 2029, Hawaiian will enable excuse me, will renovate lobbies and guests in Honolulu, Lihui, Kahului, Kona and Hilo airports to improve passenger flow and comfort with bright ele elegant open spaces and better seating and amenities like increased power charging. At Honolulu International Airport, Hawaiian's largest hub, the airline will build a spacious 10,600 square foot premium lounge at the entrance of the Mauka concourse in Terminal 1, which it says will set a new standard of pre flight comfort. Now in terms of technology, the spring Hawaiian will launch an updated modern app and website with improved functionality to simplify travel planning, booking and trip management with self service features like changing flights and redeeming award travel on global partners. This is coming at a time when a lot of their passengers are not too happy with the integration of both systems that Alaska Airlines has been working on. We've kind of covered last year how the carrier unfortunately fell victim to some outages as well as a cyber attack. And so with you can only imagine as they are trying to integrate these two systems, it's kind of a vulnerable state. So it might be reassuring to some passengers hearing that they're planning on overhauling the whole technology experience at the carrier. But there is one comment from one of the passengers and this was on the airline's Facebook page. They basically said please fix the IT issues. They called the airline to change one of their flights and then and they reportedly told that passenger to contact Alaska. And then after waiting 30 minutes on chat with Alaska, they then told that passenger that there was going to be a $20 fare difference in fare to change the flight. Just one example of how some passengers are a little bit frustrated with the integration of the systems. But the airline again focusing on improving that. They're investing in new technologies, support employees in their critical roles as well across the operation. The full functionality of those tools which the carrier says it expects will deliver a significantly smoother guest experience that's going to be possible once Hawaiian and Alaska share the same passenger service system. And when Hawaiian joins the One World alliance that is scheduled for April, just a few months from now, hopefully things will get a little bit better there. Let's talk about the aircraft. We were talking about Alaska's huge order for the Max 10 as well as the 787s. But Hawaiian has been a longtime operator of the Airbus A330. And we saw that one of the aircraft was ferried to a boneyard in Arizona from Los Angeles. And some people were thinking oh my gosh, are they retiring their A330s? They're still relatively young and now we kind of get the answer to that. The airline is planning on undergoing a full interior upgrade that's starting in 2028 with new seats, carpets, lighting, first class suites and a premium economy cabin. Guests will also enjoy a Bluetooth enabled in flight entertainment system with high definition seat back screens and extensive movie and music libraries along with fast and free Starlink WI fi. The airline is also acquiring three of its A330 aircraft off lease to support the future of this fleet and service across the Pacific. We know that Hawaiian has no plans of retiring the A330 anytime soon here, but who knows what will happen with the smaller A321neos? We'll have to watch the space for that. This investment plan of course is very exciting for the carrier. A lot of people are saying that it's needed as well. Others are also commenting on how they're a little concerned maybe with how Hawaiian has lost its spirit now becoming an Alaska Airlines company. It'll be very interesting to see how Alaska continues to uphold the brand as the years go on.

[A]

Yeah, I find it fascinating that you're talking about joining OneWorld in just a matter of months, really, given how long it took Royal Air Maroc and more recently Omania to join the alliance. But yeah, exciting stuff there. Definitely. I do not have a good segue for the next bit. Do you have any offering? If not, we'll just dive into it.

[B]

You know I was going to ask, I'm assuming you have a four legged friend at home, right?

[A]

Well, I've got a couple of four legged friends, but not that kind of four legged friend.

[B]

Yeah, maybe a little different.

[A]

Yeah, I've got rabbits rather than dogs, which is what I was alluding to in this segment. It's January 7th as we record this now and if you're listening from anywhere in Germany, the ringing in your ears is probably just about fading. Did we're one week now from Sylvester or New Year's Eve. And for those that haven't experienced it firsthand, celebration feels like an understatement. In Germany, Sylvester is less of a party and more of a pyrotechnic phenomenon. And this year reports suggest over 400,000 tons of fireworks were imported and ignited in a matter of hours. It's like the way I describe it, having lived in Los Angeles and Germany, it's like fourth of July but condensed into like one hour. Yeah, but while the skies were glowing, a very specific and growing group of people was looking for a way out. And for Germany's dog owners, the final Night of the year isn't a countdown to a new beginning, it's rather a tactical retreat. Now, we saw last week the destination of choice. It wasn't the countryside, it wasn't a remote cabin. Can you guess where it was, Channing? Hmm.

[B]

At the airport.

[A]

It was at the airport. I guess it sounds like a paradox, doesn't it? Bringing a noise sensitive animal to an international hut. But if you were at Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Cologne, Bonn or any other major German airport last Tuesday night, you would have seen exactly what I'm talking about. The terminals were bustling, but not just with travellers, but with hundreds of four legged residents lounging on the floor. Now, there's a very logical reason for this life hack. Firstly, there's the legal side. Under German aviation safety laws. I can't believe I have to say this, but the area around an airport is strictly enforced. No fireworks zone. You can't launch a rocket near a Runway. For the same reason you can't shine a laser at cockpit is a massive safety risk. This creates a literal bubble of silence in the middle of urban chaos. And when you look at airports like Frankfurt Airport, for instance, they also have a strict flight curfew between 11pm and 5am so at the exact moment, the rest of the city sounds like a war zone. The tarmac in Frankfurt is arguably the quietest place in the state of Hessen. Then you've got the architecture. Airport hotels like the Sheraton at Frankfurt are built to withstand the roar of the Boeing 777s jets. And the windows with heavy duty installations, they don't just block out jet engines, they also block out fireworks. So I guess what's fascinating for me as an aviation writer is how this has evolved from a secret insider tip into a major seasonal business. And we've seen airports and businesses really leaning into this trend. Officially, Cologne Airport, for example, hosted a dog training day ahead of New Year's so that pets could get used to the terminal environment. Meanwhile, the Sheraton Hotel in Frankfurt advertised a New Year's Eve with your dog package that included a dedicated dog buffet and water station. And in Stuttgart, the airport hotel and the nearby Trade Fair Hotel were reportedly sold out, with nearly all 600 rooms occupied by families and their pets seeking refuge. Now, looking back on it a week later, it's a poignant reminder of the secondary benefits of the aviation infrastructure. We built these massive silent protective fortresses for the sake of global commerce and passenger safety. But on the loudest night of the year, those same safety regulations and engineering marvels provide a vital sanctuary for our animals. So if you're one of the people checking into a terminal last week with a leash in one hand and a suitcase in the other, you weren't alone. You're part of a growing tradition where the Runway isn't just a place to take off, it's a place to find little bit of peace.

[B]

Yeah, I love that story. And who doesn't love their four legged friend? And yeah, New Year's time here in the States, fourth of July, that also can be just a very, very rough time for our pets. I wish I could take my dog to the airport. He's just a little too big to be able to fly in the cabin, unfortunately. But we did have before he passed away, we had a Parsons Russell terrier and we did take him on the cabin or inside and he was barking away. It was kind of embarrassing. I felt bad. But yes, that is so wonderful. It's great that those, those four legged friends have a little place of refuge while it sounds like a war zone outside. So, yeah, great story, Tom. We're going to move on to our last story and talk about the somewhat surprising statistics. Some other people may say it's a little nasty. This development coming from the center for Food as Medicine and Longevity. A newly released airline water study is revealing that the quality of drinking water varies significantly by airline and many airlines continue to provide passengers with potentially unhealthy water. Now, as an aviation journalist, I feel like we've talked about this a little bit before. It's kind of an underlining theme or we've heard from flight attendants that kind of say, yeah, I wouldn't necessarily order coffee or tea on board. But this study is kind of really diving deeper and kind of showing the significance of that unhealthy water. It violates the federal government's aircraft drinking water rule which was implemented in 2011. It requires airlines to provide passengers and flight crew with safe drinking water. Now, the 2026 Airline Water Study ranks 10 major and 11 regional airlines by the quality of water they provided onboard flights during a three year study that was from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025. Now, each airline was given a water safety score of Highest rating and 0 being the lowest, based on five weighted criteria including violations per aircraft, maximum contaminant level violations for E. Coli indicator, positive rates, public notices, and disinfecting and flushing frequency. Now, A score of 3.5 or better indicates that the airline has a relatively safe and clean water on board and earns a Grade A or B. Now this is according to Charles Plotkin. He is the director of the center for Food as Medicine and Longevity. He says, quote, delta Airlines and Frontier Airlines win the top spots with the safest water in the sky. And Alaska Airlines finished at number three. Now that water or the federal government's aircraft drinking water rule requires airlines to take samples from their water tanks to test them for coliform bacteria and possible E. Coli. Airlines are also required to disinfect and flush each aircraft's water tank four times a year. That's interesting. It seems like that maybe should happen a little more than that. But alternatively an airline may choose to disinfect and flush once a year, but then it must be tested monthly. And we are hearing now that 3% of the airline water that has been tested in this study tested positive for coliform bacteria. And that's important because their presence in the drinking water indicates that those disease causing organisms could be in the water system, obviously. And you don't want that because that can potentially cause some digestive issues. So this is basically the bottom line from the center for Food as Medicine and Longevity. Never drink any water on board that isn't in a sealed bottle. Do not drink coffee or tea on board. And do not wash your hands in the bathroom. Use alcohol based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% of alcohol instead. Now I should mention the major airlines. These are the airlines, their safety scores. Delta had the highest safety rating at 5A, grade A. Frontier grade A. Alaska Airlines at grade B. Ending this list at the very bottom. American airlines with a 1.75 rating, grade D. Unfortunately, this is a very interesting study here and I might have to think twice about getting some coffee on board. I do enjoy a nice cup of coffee, but yeah, it doesn't seem like it's that safe. I mean I should say thank God it's not E. Coli or anything like that. I feel like that would be a much bigger issue. But then again, you don't want any type of bad bacteria in your body.

[A]

Yeah, I mean that's really fascinating because I've always is subscribe to this, only drinking bottled water. I'm that guy usually on a long haul flight that if I'm up the front and they come around, they're like, oh, can I get another bottle of water please? Can I get another bottle of water? Because it's important to stay hydrated on a flight. But I've never considered washing your hands or drinking coffee before actually. So that's an interesting one for sure.

[B]

Yeah, the washing the hands one is very interesting to me because you would think that the soap would kill the bacteria, but. But they're recommending you then wash the

[A]

soap off with the water. I don't know.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I must admit, I'm not a hand washing expert. We should all be hand washing experts after the pandemic for a couple of years ago. But yeah. Yep, there we are.

[B]

Yeah, pretty interesting statistic there. And I think that's. We can end it on that note, for The Podcast, our first podcast of 2026. We hope you enjoyed it and we welcome any feedback you might [e-mail] com

[A]

for more great content, you can visit our [e-mail] or find us on social media. Simply search for Simple Flying.

[B]

And if you enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating on your favorite podcast player. Thanks for listening.

[A]

Bye.