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.