Airline staffer discloses reason to avoid opting for Diet Coke during flights
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Airline cabin crew face numerous challenges from passengers, and seemingly innocent drink orders can make their job a headache. For instance, you might think that ordering a Diet Coke or Coke Zero would be no big deal. Think again! According to one flight attendant, these fizzy drinks can pose a significant challenge during a flight.
Now, let's get down to the science behind it. A flight attendant, who shared their experiences working for a domestic airline in the USA, mentioned on Reddit that Diet Coke and Coke Zero are more challenging to serve due to their excessive fizz. Interestingly, McGill University explains that the reason for their fizziness is higher viscosity levels. This means that their fizzing potential is slightly diminished, but when bubbles do form, they tend to be more stable and last longer. The fizzy bubbles make it difficult for flight attendants to pour these drinks, causing a delay in service.
In some cases, passengers may be better off with a sugary drink instead, as they're generally easier to pour. Flight attendants often use tricks like flipping the can upside down to reduce pouring time by flattening the bubbles.
Another issue flight attendants face is with the coffee served on a plane. Recently, a flight attendant took to TikTok to warn passengers about this. They claimed that the crew is required to empty used coffee pots into the plane's toilet. This means that when refilling the coffee pot, crew members must get close to the toilet to avoid making a mess.
Lastly, have you ever wondered when it's appropriate to take your shoes off on a plane? An etiquette expert revealed that it's perfectly fine to remove your shoes during a long flight, provided you wear clean socks and put them back on before deplaning to avoid germs spreading.
So, next time you're ordering a drink during your flight, consider opting for a less fizzy option to make the cabin crew's job a little easier. And remember, a little consideration goes a long way in ensuring a pleasant flight for everyone!
Enrichment Data (Sparingly Included):- Artificial Sweeteners: The excessive fizziness of Diet Coke and Coke Zero comes from the artificial sweeteners in these beverages. According to one study, these sweeteners reduce surface tension, allowing bubbles to form more easily, making the drinks fizzier[1].- Viscosity and Bubble Stability: Although the viscosity of diet sodas is higher, which theoretically should make bubble formation more difficult, the reduced surface tension due to artificial sweeteners allows bubbles to form more easily and remain longer[1]. This results in a slower pouring process as the bubbles need more time to settle[1].- Pouring Tricks: Flight attendants sometimes use tricks like flipping the can upside down to reduce pouring time by flattening the bubbles[2].
- In the realm of scientific news, it seems that the fizziness in diet sodas like Diet Coke and Coke Zero is caused by their high viscosity levels and artificial sweeteners, making them challenging for flight attendants to pour efficiently due to the more stable and long-lasting bubbles.
- While lifestyle choices can influence the ease of service in an airline cabin, it appears that food-and-drink options beyond diet sodas may be easier to manage, as they often do not present the same fizzing challenges that diet sodas do.
- Travelers might find it interesting to learn about etiquette guidelines for in-flight behavior, such as the fact that it's perfectly acceptable to remove shoes during a long flight as long as they wear clean socks and put them back on before deplaning, ensuring a cleaner and healthier experience for everyone on the plane.
