One Common Beverage Request Is Bound To Annoy Your Flight Attendants

When we travel, we can be slightly naive as to what happens behind the scenes, or the reasoning behind why TSA is always watching out for people who yawn too much. Of course, as travelers, we understand the rules of what we can and cannot bring through TSA, including large amounts of liquid (generally a no-no), which is why you'll sometimes witness a passenger desperately chugging a drink before screening. If you've ever had to ditch your water prior to boarding and thought, "I'll just ask the flight attendants to fill up my reusable water bottle once I board," think again. This is the one common beverage request that is bound to annoy your flight attendants.

Flight attendants are the unsung heroes and heroines of the skies. Not only do they ensure passengers' safety and comfort, but they also have to smile through some of the ludicrous requests that passengers make after boarding, even if they are secretly cringing inside at said requests. Regarding water bottle refills specifically, flight attendants have taken to Reddit to voice their disdain towards the request. One flight attendant on the r/flightattendants thread clearly states what annoys them the most while on duty: "Asking me to fill your 16oz personal water bottle or coffee cup." Although passengers may think of the request as simple and undemanding, it actually puts an added amount of stress on the shoulders of flight attendants.

Each aircraft has predetermined amounts of liquid allowed on board — yes, this includes drinking water for passengers. One flight attendant on the Reddit thread chimes in, saying, "Any time someone would ask me to [fill their bottle], I'd fill it halfway depending on the size and tell them I still need water for the rest of the plane." Airlines use meticulous calculation when it comes to storing potable water in the aircraft's tanks based on numerous factors: the number of passengers, the type and size of aircraft, the flight duration, and weight restrictions with fuel allowance.

With a limited amount of drinkable water available, requesting your bottle to be filled is a bothersome request. The water on board — whether it comes from a plastic bottle or a tank — has to be used for other things like coffee, tea, handwashing, and even the toilets, and whatever amount is on board is treated like liquid gold. "Sometimes we are cutting it close with the water and these people want the entire bottle. If I have the mini bottles that's what I give during service to get out of those requests," says one user in the Reddit discussion, who goes on to suggest that it's "best to just go buy a bottle in the airport or fill yours up before getting on the plane."

Filling up before taking off is a surefire way to increase your airplane etiquette before leaving the ground. "There are water fountains right near the bathrooms. Lots of places even have water bottle filling stations," says a flight attendant Redditor about where to refill. Most airports have water stations after security, so you can top up before boarding, save money on overpriced bottles sold at airport shops, and ease the load on your flight attendant for a smoother flight.