Did the coffee change?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Portland
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 391
Did the coffee change?
Just got off a flight from EWR to SFO, and while 7+ hours boarding-to-landing on the 737 park benches wasn't so great, when they came through with beverage service #3, I got a cup of coffee (in a styrofoam cup) that somehow tasted just fine.
Were my tastebuds deceiving me after so many hours in the air? Was it the newness of the aircraft (one of the scarce sUA 739s) that the coffeemakers hadn't been filled with you-don't-want-to-know-what over the years? Or was it just a fluke?
Were my tastebuds deceiving me after so many hours in the air? Was it the newness of the aircraft (one of the scarce sUA 739s) that the coffeemakers hadn't been filled with you-don't-want-to-know-what over the years? Or was it just a fluke?
#5
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
Did UA not serve Starbucks several years ago?
I know DL is currently serving Seattle's Best. (which is owned by Starbucks).
Maybe the new cups make the coffee taste better on UA?
I know DL is currently serving Seattle's Best. (which is owned by Starbucks).
Maybe the new cups make the coffee taste better on UA?
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 55
Yes, all new B739s being delivered now are part of the subsidiary-United Airlines order placed before the merger. The newest deliveries are coming with the new configuration where they're cramming in more seats.
That said, I don't think the coffee is any different. Same Fresh Brew stuff we've all grown accustomed to.
That said, I don't think the coffee is any different. Same Fresh Brew stuff we've all grown accustomed to.
#8
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
#9
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
I too refuse to drink their COffee. If the coffee is different it is probably because they found something even cheaper. The tea was surprisingly drinkable.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Portland
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 391
Yes, all new B739s being delivered now are part of the subsidiary-United Airlines order placed before the merger. The newest deliveries are coming with the new configuration where they're cramming in more seats.
That said, I don't think the coffee is any different. Same Fresh Brew stuff we've all grown accustomed to.
That said, I don't think the coffee is any different. Same Fresh Brew stuff we've all grown accustomed to.
- sCO has 12 739s, delivered 2001-2002, all with TV.
- sCO has 66 739ERs, delivered 2008-2013, 52 of which have TV and 14 of which are dark.
- sUA has 13 739ERs, delivered 2013-present and coming in at the rate of 2-3 per month. The first ten are identical to the dark sCO birds, the latest three have the new "signature" seats.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
UA doesn't serve coffee. It serves undrinkable brown swill. I'm a complete caffeine addict and refuse to drink that stuff. Via. Which is not particularly good but at least it doesn't make me wince with every sip.
#12
Formerly known as UATexasFlyer
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Natl. Car Exec Elite, UA 1MM, *G
Posts: 451
One would think that UA could at least serve the same coffee that they serve in the United Club, but no, they have to serve used brake fluid.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,170
+1. It's still a Houston vending services company making the coffee (not a true roaster), so I won't touch it with a 10 foot pole.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
Yes, they did use to have Starbucks in the early 90s.
Their ads featured something about UA employees: "We drink the coffee too."
And the Starbucks coffee was pretty good.
I now bring my own "VIA" and make my own Starbucks Coffee. I've found that I've shared the VIA packets with other passengers and one flight attendant.
One flight attendant said that there were at least talks about getting rid of Fresh Brew / Kova. United contracted with them for "pouring rights," so I think they're waiting for that contract to end.
Sometimes it's more bearable than other occasions, but I usually avoid it.
I'm forever grateful that United carries milk on its planes. US Airways / American do not. I don't know about Alaska, Delta, or Southwest.
But it's not the worst! I'm recalling British Airways "World Traveller" around 1998. What was that? Fresh Brew is a dream compared to whatever BA served on its 767.
American used to serve Maxwell House. Although it's an iconic brand, I don't like it.
jetBlue prides itself on Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Although I lived in DD territory for nine years, I never developed a taste for the coffee (nor the donuts.)
Their ads featured something about UA employees: "We drink the coffee too."
And the Starbucks coffee was pretty good.
I now bring my own "VIA" and make my own Starbucks Coffee. I've found that I've shared the VIA packets with other passengers and one flight attendant.
One flight attendant said that there were at least talks about getting rid of Fresh Brew / Kova. United contracted with them for "pouring rights," so I think they're waiting for that contract to end.
Sometimes it's more bearable than other occasions, but I usually avoid it.
I'm forever grateful that United carries milk on its planes. US Airways / American do not. I don't know about Alaska, Delta, or Southwest.
But it's not the worst! I'm recalling British Airways "World Traveller" around 1998. What was that? Fresh Brew is a dream compared to whatever BA served on its 767.
American used to serve Maxwell House. Although it's an iconic brand, I don't like it.
jetBlue prides itself on Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Although I lived in DD territory for nine years, I never developed a taste for the coffee (nor the donuts.)