Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced that airlines have been instructed to provide passengers with complimentary water during flights, a regulation that officially took effect in September.
While full-service carriers like Turkish Airlines (THY) already offer free beverages and meals, the situation is quite different for low-cost airlines. On these flights, water often appears on the paid menu starting at around 50 TL, leaving many passengers unaware that they are entitled to free water upon request.
Water Is a Basic Need, Not a Luxury
Staying hydrated during a flight is not merely about comfort; it’s a matter of health and safety. In a cabin environment with low air pressure and humidity below 20%, the body loses fluids quickly.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) both classify access to drinking water during long flights as a humanitarian necessity. However, in Turkey, some airlines treat this as an optional service rather than a requirement.
On the Menu, But Never Announced
Most passengers hesitate to ask for water after seeing the price listed on the in-flight menu. Yet, many airlines will serve water in a small plastic or paper cup for free if requested, but they just don’t tell anyone. This lack of communication effectively hides a basic right behind a paywall.
Such silence also conflicts with consumer protection regulations, which require service providers to clearly inform customers about their essential rights. Still, many low-cost airlines prioritize profit margins over transparency.
During a recent flight from İzmir to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the writer observed that only a handful of passengers out of more than 150 requested free water. The crew made no mention of it, limiting service to the question: “Would you like to buy anything from our menu?” Seeing bottled water priced at 50 TL for 330 ml made it clear why passengers were reluctant.
What About Europe?
In the EU, the rules are clearer. Even low-cost carriers like Ryanair are required to provide free drinking water on longer flights. In France and Germany, cabin crews must proactively offer water when dehydration risk is possible, even if passengers don’t ask. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also states in its 2023 guidance: “Access to drinking water is every passenger’s right, not a commercial product.”
In Türkiye, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) announced in mid-2024 that every airline must provide free water to passengers, yet implementation still varies among carriers.
Silent Passengers, Hidden Rights
The most concerning issue is that most travelers remain unaware of this right. The question “Would you like some water?” has been replaced with a menu full of prices. Passengers, not wanting to seem demanding, quietly forgo their entitlement.
Social media users have shared similar experiences: “I asked for water, they gave it in a cup, but I was surprised because it said 50 TL on the menu.”
This situation reveals an ethical communication problem in aviation: water is not a product; it’s a necessity. Yet airlines often stay silent, fearing that transparency could harm their commercial strategy.
THY vs. Low-Cost Airlines
Turkish Airlines continues to offer complimentary water on all flights, both domestic and international. In contrast, low-cost carriers such as AJet, Pegasus, SunExpress, and Corendon technically offer free water only upon request, while simultaneously selling bottled water on board.
This isn’t a system failure; it’s a transparency issue. And it reflects a broader question about service standards within Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.
A glass of water might seem like a small detail, but in aviation, it’s a clear indicator of passenger experience and respect. It’s time for Türkiye’s “free water” regulation to move from paper to practice.
Perhaps civilization really is measured, sometimes, by something as simple as offering a glass of water.