This Is the 1 Drink You Should Always Order on a Flight

While ginger ale and tomato juice may immediately come to mind when it comes to popular airplane drinks, is that what you should be having? Flight attendants actually say no—especially if you’re a traveler looking to keep your sugar or sodium levels in check.

When it comes to tomato juice, there’s actually a scientific explanation as to why it’s so appealing at 35,000 feet. At cruising altitude, your sense of taste and smell can dull due to low cabin pressure and dry air. In his environment, sweet and salty flavors might not taste as intense, but umami tends to hold up better, making tomato juice taste brighter and more satisfying than it does on the ground.

Ginger ale is also a frequent pick because it’s comforting, and for some travelers, it’s something they never order anywhere but on a plane. Additionally, if you’re getting twinges of airsickness or even just a touch of an uneasy stomach, ginger ale has long been considered an antidote to nausea, even though canned ginger ale contains very little, if any, real ginger. 

But according to flight attendants, there’s one drink that you should be prioritizing above all others—here’s what you need to know.

Flight Attendants Say H2O Is the Way to Go 

Kate, a Texas-based Southwest Airlines flight attendant, told Travel + Leisure that the nonalcoholic beverage she sees most passengers order is water, followed by ginger ale for adults and orange or apple juice for children—and she has an idea why.

“If you’re feeling off when you’re flying, it’s probably because you haven’t had enough water,” she said. Kate added that she thinks people tend to skimp on hydrating when they’re traveling because they’re deviating from their normal routine or don’t want to leave their seat to use the bathroom during a flight. 

“Ginger ale might soothe the tummy, but it can be hard on your body,” she said. “One can has [up to] 33 grams of sugar.” 

Veteran flight attendant and content creator Christa Treat echoed that sentiment. “If I had my way, everyone would drink water!” she said. “Soda is bad for you, and alcohol while flying wreaks havoc on your body.”

Treat also gives tomato juice. “Tomato juice is so salty, and it bloats you.”

Instead, she recommends passengers stick to water or club soda. 

Why Water Wins

Flying dehydrates the body. Airplane cabins are dry, which can lead to dry skin and eyes, headaches, and even dehydration. Choosing water over salty, sugary drinks or alcohol can make you feel better and help combat jet lag.

Drinking water regulates body temperature, helps your body function the way it should, and is good for your skin. When picking an airplane drink, water is the only one that actually solves a problem. 

Or Maybe You’re Feeling Red Wine?

But sometimes, it’s not about what the “best” drink is—it’s about what feels comforting, familiar, or fun.

Mary Jo Manzanares, a retired flight attendant with over 30 years of experience in the air, shared that her airplane drink of choice is probably not typical.