Being on a plane is a unique opportunity to relax and have a drink, away from distractions. Many travellers look forward to the drinks trolley coming round so they can have a hot beverage or alcoholic tipple to pass the time.
However, according to, Reza Zadeh, drinks expert from Drinks House 247, there are five alcoholic drinks they would never order if they were travelling – so you should consider these things next time you fly too.
That being said, no one is judging you if you still want to order these drinks once you've heard the reasons, but remember to drink responsibly.
The first drink to avoid is Jack Daniels and Diet Coke, which is a firm favourite among travellers – but not flight attendants.
Not only does it make you drunk faster, but it also tends to fizz on flights, meaning it takes longer to pour and can slow down the drinks service.
Reza said: "The lack of sugar in Diet Coke combined with the dry cabin air can cause you to become drunk faster. This is because Diet Coke, or any diet soda, lacks sugar, which slows down alcohol absorption into the bloodstream.
"Be kind to the flight attendants and other passengers on the plane and choose a different type of soda as a mixer."
Another drink to avoid is Irish coffee, because any hot drink on the plane is made from water stored in the planes tanks, which are rarely cleaned and can be home to various bacterias, such as E.coli.
Reza added: "If you need a coffee, your best option is to buy it in the terminal and forgo the whiskey."
The drink expert also recommends never asking for a double shot of alcohol, because you can get dehydrated very quickly on a plane.
Reza said: "Due to the low humidity and dry cabin air, you are more prone to become dehydrated on a plane. Drinks with double the alcohol combined with dehydration are a recipe for disaster. Skip the extra shot and ask for a bottle of water on the side."
If you're planning on spending your money on a sweet cocktail, you're better skipping it, because the cabin pressure, dry air and loud engine noises will likely give passengers a sensory overload, causing them to taste dull and bland.
Reza recommended: "If you want a juice-based cocktail, opt for a Bloody Mary. The umami flavours in the tomato juice become more pronounced while flying as sweet notes are dampened, producing a cocktail that tastes even better in the air than on the ground."
On a similar note, don't go spending lots of money on fancy wines, because your taste buds won't notice the difference. Also, wines high in tannins can taste bitter or acidic while flying.
Reza said: "If choosing wine on a flight, stick to light wines that are low in tannins and have a fruity or floral taste.
"A white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, or a red wine, such as Pinot Noir, won't sacrifice flavour."
Remember to drink at least 16 ounces of water after consuming a drink with high alcohol content, advises the expert.
For free, confidential helpline for anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's, contact Drinkware's Drinkline at 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
