Ordering a beverage to kickstart your holiday mood seems ideal, but one flight attendant has revealed there’s a particular drink you’d be well-advised to avoid on a plane. Sue Fogwell, a seasoned flight attendant with 22 years of experience, warns that passengers should eschew opting for a Bloody Mary while flying. The classic cocktail, concocted from vodka, tomato juice, and an array of spices such as Worcestershire sauce or spicy sauce, is often a go-to for flyers due to a certain belief about its taste enhancement during flights.
It is often picked by plane passengers because flights are said to enhance the flavour of tomato juice. This is because holidaymakers are said to crave the acidity and saltiness of the fruit juice while in the air.
Research has indicated that the drone of aircraft engines might impact our perception of certain tastes like sweet and savoury amino acids — a taste described in Japanese as umami.
Robin Dando, a Cornell University assistant professor specialising in food science, noted: “Our study confirmed that in an environment of loud noise, our sense of taste is compromised. Interestingly, this was specific to sweet and umami tastes, with sweet taste inhibited and umami taste significantly enhanced.”
He added: “The multisensory properties of the environment where we consume our food can alter our perception of the foods we eat.”
The study came after German airline Lufthansa noticed it was selling as much tomato juice as beer on flights. It prompted the company to commission a study to find out what was causing the phenomenon.
Sue, however, steers clear of a Bloody Mary when jet-setting. In an interview with Travel + Leisure, she explained: “Due to the very high sodium content, I always avoid drinking MrandMrs T/bloody mary mix and tomato juice.”
She points out that the high sodium in a Bloody Mary can exacerbate dehydration for travellers. The NHS also cautions against consuming alcohol and caffeine during flights.
The health service recommends: “You should try to drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water, during long flights and limit how much alcohol and caffeine you drink.”
According to the NHS, cabin pressure can lead to additional discomforts like dry skin, lips, nose, and eyes, suggesting the use of moisturiser or nasal saline spray.
While Sue suggests skipping the Bloody Mary, she also warns against drinking plane water, including in coffee. She elaborates: “Coffee and tea are made with tap water, which comes from the airplane’s water tanks.
“If you want coffee, buy it in the terminal, [and] if you need a caffeine boost, ask for a Coke or Pepsi.”
Sue extends her caution to avoiding water served from pitchers on planes, noting that this too originates from the onboard tanks and may be used when bottled water runs out.