di2315

I'm hoping that some of you who are seasoned airline travellers will be able to help me nut out this problem:
I am only able to drink sparkling mineral water when travelling on flights. Because of my extreme sensitivity to artificial preservatives, I can't tolerate still mineral water, or the hot or cold waters that airlines have on board - they must be filtered through something that I react to.
I know Qantas and BA have sparkling water available in economy, and I know that Emirates definitely don't carry it on any of their flights.
On my last international trip, I was reduced to carrying 100ml bottles of water, because I was flying with Emirates and like all airlines these days, they don't allow passengers to carry liquids of any kind in containers larger than this. This isn't much liquid to be consuming on a flight of 8 hours plus.
Can anyone tell me of other airlines that I might have the option of using in the future?

Many thanks, Di

DebitNM

Can't you simply just buy the water you want/need at a shop AFTER you pass through security??

NewbE

I, too, suggest buying sparkling mineral water at the airport after you have passed through security. I am not aware of any limit on how much you can take aboard with you.

I'm almost certain that an international carrier will have sparkling mineral water available for purchase on the plane, but in your situation, best to be prepared.

suze

I would check with the airlines. I can't think of an airline that didn't have "soda water" available on the bar cart.

di2315

Deb - very few airports have sparkling water available after you pass security - just still. Some airports also don't allow ANY water bottles on board; Dubai is one such airport - they are very strict!

New - past experience has taught me that I can't expect them to carry plain sparkling water, that's why I'm throwing the question out here.

Suze - 'soda water' isn't the same as sparkling mineral water at all. It contains artificial preservatives just like soft drinks.

Thanks for your replies. I'm hoping to avoid checking with all the international airlines that fly to and from Australia, Di

Melnq8

I seem to recall Singapore Airlines having sparkling water on my latest flight from Singapore to Perth in coach.

di2315

Thanks for that suggestion mel - I'll check them out, Di

cmcfong

Delta had sparkling mineral water in economy class on my last international flight. Most airlines try to give you club soda instead.

janisj

The airline really doesn't matter all that much . . . the catering depends on the contractor/airport where the plane is serviced.

A plane leaving say from LHR will have entirely different provisions than one leaving from LAX.

suze

OK. Sorry.

NewbE

Lol, suze, you missed the OP's specificity--not just any bubbles will do!
Can anyone explain why simply carrying what you need on board with you is too difficult? Choosing an airline based on their beverage selection, which is likely to change without notice, is odd, to say the least.

suze

Maybe it is not available for purchase within airports either?

NewbE

Ah, that could be true, if the requirement is so specific.

di2315

New - seems to me that you just don't get it!
If you think about how much liquid you would consume on a flight from Australia to Europe (around 18+ hours), then try to carry that in the 100ml bottles that are allowed on board, it's just an impossibility.

Each person is only allowed up to 10 of those bottles. Occasionally I can get sparkling mineral water at the airport the flight stops over at, but not always.

I can't eat airline food (take my own), so having this criteria answered is the most important aspect for me.

If you think my preferences odd, then don't comment here, please. It's not helpful to my plight or question! Di

suze

The 3 oz (100ml) limit is only to come thru security. People were suggesting you could possibly purchase a larger bottle(s), post-security, pre-boarding.

janisj

di2315: You don't get it either. No matter what a specific airline 'usually' provides means nothing. It depends on several factors.

So what IF airline xyz usually has sparkling mineral water - that does not mean YOUR flight will have it. The airlines don't usually stock their galleys - land-based contractors do.

wally34949

If you purchase liquids after security, the U.S. airlines will take it away from you after you show your boarding pass and begin walking on the airplane. When I asked them if they do this for all flights, I was told only flights with the U.S. airlines. They have hired several people to check every carry-on item.

DebitNM

"If you purchase liquids after security, the U.S. airlines will take it away from you after you show your boarding pass and begin walking on the airplane."

Huh?

Are you saying if I buy a bottle of water after security it gets taken away? IS this in a US airport or a foreign airport? IF at US airport, why? And if at a foreign airport, why just US?

I often buy a bottle of water or simply fill an used bottle and board a US plane with no issue. I have also done it on foreign airlines in foreign airports.

suze

<Are you saying if I buy a bottle of water after security it gets taken away?>

Yes, sometime that happens leaving Mexico for the US. It is up to the airline to enforce (or not).

wally34949

Most U.S. airlines don't believe security is good enough in foreign countries. On United, I (along with everyone on the aircraft) have been checked for liquids when flying out of Dubai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Lima, Peru. This happens after you show your boarding pass and you begin walking to the aircraft.

This is not happening yet in the United States or Canada.

Going though security in Munich, if you are going to the U.S., they really give you the pat down. I got yelled at for having a hankerchief in my back pocket. I though I was going through a metal detector. But if you were flying to Canada, no pat down.