Which airlines serve sparking mineral water to economy passengers?
 

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

OK. Sorry.

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.

Maybe it is not available for purchase within airports either?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

<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).

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.

I always bring a bottle of water and often a soda onto a flight - purchased after security. And if it is the AM, add a large coffee to that ocean of liquids. Never been stopped, checked, etc. The coffee is always visible and often the bottled liquid is as well. In last 12 months flights to/from Europe, Puerto Rico and multiple US cities.

I am not disputing that liquids have been confiscated from others - just seems odd to me.

Seems odd to me too - I always take a full bottle of water onto my flights, filled up/purchased after security.

Sometimes in Singapore, flights departing to the US have an additional security check at the base of the jetway, just before you get on to the plane - they riffle through your carry on bags, but don't seem the least bit interested in liquids.

I've had it happen too, I think at a stop enroute to Australia on Cathay Pacific, though I can't recall where exactly. It probably was after the Bali bombing a few years back in which many Australians died. Conversely, I recall being told by our guide (a Chinese native) that we were not to bring liquids onto a plane to Chengdu, then watched him carry a full water bottle through security and onto the plane. So you never know.

<just seems odd to me.>

Gail, it may seem "odd" but trust the people posting here. It happens on departure from lots of places, flights coming back into the US.

Thanks, suze. I wouldn't have posted this question here if I hadn't experienced problems with either purchasing plain sparkling mineral water after the security checks, or having it available on the flights that I've taken.

Di

Di .. is your sensitivity a documented medical issue? Would a doctor's note get more on board with you, I wonder?

Maybe I'm missing something, but couldn't you drink plain bottled water (flat/still) on the plane ride? Seems like that would be a lot easier to find.

scot - no, the planes either carry plain sparkling mineral water as a standard offering or not at all - no room for negotiation, it seems!

suze - all plain bottled water is filtered through something, and I have no way of discerning what sort of chemical has been used until I've drunk the water . . . not something I'm able to gamble with on a long flight. Pity they aren't required to state this on their bottle label.
Di

I have to agree.....this is just not something you can count on knowing in advance. Anyone at an airline that would answer this question on the phone would really have no way of knowing what will actually be on the plane. As others have said, its up to the catering company. And even then....supplies on flights change minute by minute. Can't tell you the number of flights I've been on with an announcement of "We didn't get catered" or "We don't have xyz"....or "sorry if we're out of your selection". Its a crap shoot at best. If you are truly worried - as you obviously are -- I think you must make provisions yourself for an appropriate beverage. If that means you need a doctor's statement in order to bring your own water, then so be it. That would be a much safer bet than counting on <u>any</u> airline to provide you special water.

di2315: This seems to be a <u>very</u> important issue for you. Unfortunately no one can answer it to your satisfaction. As I posted and as TC posted . . . There is no way on earth to ensure any specific beverage is or is not on any specific plane. None.

If a specific type of mineral or other water is a MUST, you need to make your own provisions.

Is there nothing else you can drink? Ever?

what about a portable water filter - brita, or other. Camping stores have them and filter water bottles can be found all over the place now - target, walmart, BB&B, etc.