View Poll Results: After UA replaced Starbucks, what's your opinion of the replacement coffee?
It's much better than Starbucks.
5
4.07%
It's somewhat better than Starbucks.
3
2.44%
It's about the same as Starbucks.
4
3.25%
It's somewhat poorer than Starbucks.
10
8.13%
It's much worse than Starbucks.
101
82.11%
Voters: 123. You may not vote on this poll
Starbucks coffee no longer served on UA as of 1-July-2011 [updated]
Jun 28, 2011, 7:53 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LA - MEL
Programs: UA 1k *G, AA Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 332
Totally Bad Corp Decision. Understand UACO trying to make profit, but somethings and sometimes the customer's preference is the better corp decision.
Wonder if all the corp execs have even tried drinking the new stuff for 10+ hours?
Wonder if all the corp execs have even tried drinking the new stuff for 10+ hours?
Jun 28, 2011, 9:15 am
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SEA
Posts: 12,485
Would expect to see Starbucks have another aviation partner (or partners) very soon now that their exclusive deal with UA has come to an end.
Likely candidates include Alaska and Jet Blue. Maybe even Delta who recently moved to Seattle's Best which is a Starbucks owned company.
Likely candidates include Alaska and Jet Blue. Maybe even Delta who recently moved to Seattle's Best which is a Starbucks owned company.
Jun 28, 2011, 10:14 am
#33
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott/SPG Plat
Posts: 187
One of my co-workers on a CO flight commented that she liked the coffee. The FA said she was surprised and that most people don't think it's very good. Not a good sign.
Jun 28, 2011, 10:20 am
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Jun 28, 2011, 10:56 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 211
It's disappointing that they are dumping Starbucks, but honestly I have never flown on an airline because of its coffee. But adding up all these little (and some very big changes), makes passenger start to look at other options
Jun 28, 2011, 11:07 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: iad/dca
Programs: UA Million Mile Gold, Club, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hertz G, A/Club
Posts: 1,106
Coffee not that good
Starbucks owns Seattle's best. Peet's is owned by a former Starbucks exec. One would think Starbucks would want to keep the logo on the airline.
Jun 28, 2011, 11:20 am
#37
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Everywhere but home far too often
Programs: Too many
Posts: 401
Now if they announced that the new coffee would be Tim Horton's, that would be a change I would like.
Every time I go to Ohio or Michigan I stock up!!
Every time I go to Ohio or Michigan I stock up!!
Jun 28, 2011, 11:32 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,529
Wasn't ever really a fan of Starbucks or the UA Starbucks on flights. Now, if they were to put DunkinDonuts on board...
I don't see this as a big issue. Coffee in-flight, as many OPs have stated, is very different for scientific reasons. Changing of coffee vendors isn't necessarily the end of the world IMO.
I don't see this as a big issue. Coffee in-flight, as many OPs have stated, is very different for scientific reasons. Changing of coffee vendors isn't necessarily the end of the world IMO.
Jun 28, 2011, 11:58 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
I couldn't really care less what the coffee is, since I only drink coffee on airplanes with either Bailey's or Kahlua. I never really liked Starbucks anyway. Too bitter for my taste.
As for Freshbrew, hey - at least it's award-winning! Or Award Wanning, if you go by the URL...
http://www.freshbrewgroup.com/a-wanning-c/home-awc.asp
Jun 28, 2011, 11:58 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,168
Changing from quality Starbucks to Houston's Worst Coffee isn't the end of the world
Boarding all elites together isn't the end of the world
Getting rid of fresh veggies and other RCC offerings isn't the end of the world
Getting rid of quality blankets and all pillows isn't the end of the world
Diminishing 1K benefits isn't the end of the world
Losing a famous livery isn't the end of the world
Add it all up and it starts to make for a worse flight / airline / loyalty experience though
Boarding all elites together isn't the end of the world
Getting rid of fresh veggies and other RCC offerings isn't the end of the world
Getting rid of quality blankets and all pillows isn't the end of the world
Diminishing 1K benefits isn't the end of the world
Losing a famous livery isn't the end of the world
Add it all up and it starts to make for a worse flight / airline / loyalty experience though
Jun 28, 2011, 12:48 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 571
It’s airplane coffee, no matter what it’s going to be bad.
It’s roasted and ground months before brewing and is probably brewed closer to 160F than the correct 195F and is most likely made from unknown commodity beans regardless of whether it’s from Starbucks or any other vendor.
Now, if CO wants coffee from Houston they should just contract to Catalina Coffee/Amaya Roasting. I’d be willing to pay on-board for that.
It’s roasted and ground months before brewing and is probably brewed closer to 160F than the correct 195F and is most likely made from unknown commodity beans regardless of whether it’s from Starbucks or any other vendor.
Now, if CO wants coffee from Houston they should just contract to Catalina Coffee/Amaya Roasting. I’d be willing to pay on-board for that.
Jun 28, 2011, 1:49 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
It has been confirmed to UA crews that, effective July 1, something called 'Freshbrew' will replace Starbucks coffee.
Of note, there will no longer be brewed decaf - it will be instant. Regular will, however, continued to be brewed.
One can hope that 'Freshbrew' is better than the hot brown water currently offered by CO.
Of note, there will no longer be brewed decaf - it will be instant. Regular will, however, continued to be brewed.
One can hope that 'Freshbrew' is better than the hot brown water currently offered by CO.
I sure hope they don't try to serve instant decaf on F or C international. Nasty.
UA.
Jun 28, 2011, 2:02 pm
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
So a switch to old Milwaukee fleetwide and systemwide would be just fine right? No big deal?
Jun 28, 2011, 2:13 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVPG
Posts: 226
And what CO has today is rancid! While coming from the CO side, I always appreciated the UA had much, much better coffee. They're driving me to bring instant on board and order hot water....
Jun 28, 2011, 3:42 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,308
Does it really matter what they call it if it's the watered down crap?
I love DD coffee, it's good stuff.
-David