Every time I fly I cringe a little if the person next to me gets a drink, especially if it’s a kid. That’s because I don’t want a lap of soda or booze or water from some clumsy arm.
That same goes for me on flights – I can easily spill a cup when I am fumbling around with my laptop, earbuds, etc.
So I always buy a bottle or two of soda or water in the airport store before the flight. Then I don’t have to have my tray down, because I can store the drink(s) in the seat back pocket.
But just because you get a bottle doesn’t mean you’re safe from a wet lap. at least when it comes to carbonated drinks.
With the plane movement and changing air pressure, the bottle needs to be open carefully to avoid a fountain of aggravation.
I open the bottle slowly and let it whisper out the built-up air, and then if it starts bubbling over I can quickly close it before it overflows.
After it is settled down it’s all ready to safely open and drink and nobody gets soaked.