Water samples from airplanes were given a "water health" score, marking the samples for factors such as number of violations of Aircraft Drinking Water Rules (ADRW), traces of coliform or e-coli bacteria, and the airlines' cooperation in the study.
None of the 23 airlines examined achieved the top score of 5 for their drinking water, however many scores were acceptable.
"A score of 3.0 or better indicates that the airline has relatively safe, clean water," said Dr Platkin.
Of the major US airlines Allegiant and Alaska airlines came out on top by scoring 3.3, with Hawaiian airlines as a runner up on a score of 3.1.
Tied at the bottom of the major carriers were Spirit Airlines and Jet Blue who scored a shocking 1 out of 5 for the water sanitation scores. Jet Blue alone was found to make 354 ADWR violations between 2012 and 2019, with 144 samples testing positive for coliform bacteria and a further 9 samples containing e-coli bacteria.
The study's authors advised plane passengers to avoid drinking water that isn't sealed in a bottle and to use travel hand sanitiser instead of washing your hands in airplane bathrooms.
Jet Blue has been contacted regarding the results on its drinking water quality.
