Nov 19, 2015, 9:40 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United Airlines to Bring Customers Coffee's 'Gold Standard' with illy Premium Blend
CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and illycaffe are creating a new alliance that will offer the Italian company's delicious premium blend to delight customers on board and in United Club locations worldwide.
Beginning next month, United will offer illy's signature scuro dark roast and the coffee company's espresso in United Club locations at the airline's mainland U.S. hubs. Other lounge locations will offer illy in 2016, with the scuro dark roast coming to flights worldwide next summer.
Not Just a Cup of Coffee
Chosen after extensive testing with United customers and employees – including in-flight taste tests – illy reflects the airline's global network as well as United's commitment to creating an elevated, distinctive premium experience for its customers.
Based in Trieste, Italy, with more than 80 years of history in the coffee industry, illy's distinct flavor comes from a unique blend of the top one percent of Arabica beans, purchased directly from the best growers in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa.
Noted for its strong commitment to sustainability, illy's internationally certified supply chain includes farmers who earn above-market prices in exchange for meeting quality standards – enabling the company to offer world-class blends.
A recent Wine Spectator magazine article praised the coffee, saying it "has become a gold standard in high-end restaurants and five-star hotels around the world."
"Our collaboration with illy is helping to make the world feel a bit smaller and making flying that much more special, simply by way of a perfect cup of coffee," said Jimmy Samartzis, United's vice president of food services and United Clubs. "By serving the world's most well-known premium coffee in our clubs and on board, we are communicating an experience to our customers and our employees with the quality and care that comes with every cup."
"It's truly an honor for illy to be selected as the worldwide coffee partner for United Airlines. The process and final decision to choose illy demonstrates United's deep commitment to providing its customers the highest quality products and experiences," said Andrea Illy, Chairman and CEO of illycaffe s.p.a. "Our new relationship with United Airlines is also a testament to our passion for the best and recognition that the illy brand is the world's reference for coffee culture and excellence."
Illy will be complimentary on every flight and when offered in United's lounges.
CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and illycaffe are creating a new alliance that will offer the Italian company's delicious premium blend to delight customers on board and in United Club locations worldwide.
Beginning next month, United will offer illy's signature scuro dark roast and the coffee company's espresso in United Club locations at the airline's mainland U.S. hubs. Other lounge locations will offer illy in 2016, with the scuro dark roast coming to flights worldwide next summer.
Not Just a Cup of Coffee
Chosen after extensive testing with United customers and employees – including in-flight taste tests – illy reflects the airline's global network as well as United's commitment to creating an elevated, distinctive premium experience for its customers.
Based in Trieste, Italy, with more than 80 years of history in the coffee industry, illy's distinct flavor comes from a unique blend of the top one percent of Arabica beans, purchased directly from the best growers in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa.
Noted for its strong commitment to sustainability, illy's internationally certified supply chain includes farmers who earn above-market prices in exchange for meeting quality standards – enabling the company to offer world-class blends.
A recent Wine Spectator magazine article praised the coffee, saying it "has become a gold standard in high-end restaurants and five-star hotels around the world."
"Our collaboration with illy is helping to make the world feel a bit smaller and making flying that much more special, simply by way of a perfect cup of coffee," said Jimmy Samartzis, United's vice president of food services and United Clubs. "By serving the world's most well-known premium coffee in our clubs and on board, we are communicating an experience to our customers and our employees with the quality and care that comes with every cup."
"It's truly an honor for illy to be selected as the worldwide coffee partner for United Airlines. The process and final decision to choose illy demonstrates United's deep commitment to providing its customers the highest quality products and experiences," said Andrea Illy, Chairman and CEO of illycaffe s.p.a. "Our new relationship with United Airlines is also a testament to our passion for the best and recognition that the illy brand is the world's reference for coffee culture and excellence."
Illy will be complimentary on every flight and when offered in United's lounges.
UA serving illy’s world-class coffee
Feb 16, 2016, 3:32 pm
#151
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(This is drinking it black...if you're light and sweet I'm not sure what to say other than ick)
Regarding Easy Jet....I noticed they also have FAs and lavs on their airplanes. I can't believe United does that as well! A true race to the bottom!!
Feb 16, 2016, 3:44 pm
#152
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Actually, the FA said they are doing about that themselves. They will only let the pot sit for about 5 minutes, then pour it out and always make a fresh pot. She said that was to get through the inventory as fast as possible. ^^^
@:-)
Feb 16, 2016, 4:01 pm
#153
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Coming soon to United: illy’s world-class coffee
Thanks folks, looking forward to trying it out! Glad to read they chose well. My UA flights begin in May, so I am counting on you all to flush out all the Freshpoo by then.
Feb 16, 2016, 4:45 pm
#155
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It was really, really good, at least in ORD RCC
http://upgrd.com/matthew/how-does-un...fee-taste.html
Feb 16, 2016, 7:30 pm
#156
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Had the illy coffee at UC in IAD a month ago. You can't overstate the improvement. F/A said the June roll out was to setup a US-based coffee roasting facility. I assume this is as accurate as most F/A rumors.
Feb 16, 2016, 7:54 pm
#157
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Gawd! Even the best coffee is awful after a month or 2...(a day or two to us Bay Area snobs!). Nothing about bad coffee sitting in an airport warehouse for 6 months makes me want a refill!!
Mar 7, 2016, 12:50 am
#158
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Was at the West DEN UC (that's the low number one, right?) Saturday morning and the coffee was in an unmarked carafe. Are there any clubs still serving FreshBrew or can I assume it's Illy?
Wasn't bad, wasn't great either. The lack of a pitcher of half&half was disappointing. Opening thimbles of CoffeeMate creamer is something I expect in a greasy spoon.
Wasn't bad, wasn't great either. The lack of a pitcher of half&half was disappointing. Opening thimbles of CoffeeMate creamer is something I expect in a greasy spoon.
Mar 7, 2016, 8:47 am
#159
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Which goes to show the FA's have more business sense that United's management. I'm sure Illy can rush ship enough coffee to United to allow it to immediately landfill the unbrewed Freshbrew.
Mar 7, 2016, 9:29 am
#160
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Was at the West DEN UC (that's the low number one, right?) Saturday morning and the coffee was in an unmarked carafe. Are there any clubs still serving FreshBrew or can I assume it's Illy?
Wasn't bad, wasn't great either. The lack of a pitcher of half&half was disappointing. Opening thimbles of CoffeeMate creamer is something I expect in a greasy spoon.
Wasn't bad, wasn't great either. The lack of a pitcher of half&half was disappointing. Opening thimbles of CoffeeMate creamer is something I expect in a greasy spoon.
I don't have a problem with opening the packets, and have ALWAYS found real creamer provided, not just the "whitener" ^
Mar 7, 2016, 9:55 am
#161
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+1000. This is the most crazy thing I have heard in a long time. Roasted Coffee deteriorates rapidly after about 3-4 months. The oils go rancid, and the flavors break down. When it is ground the process is even faster. I has assumed that UA's contract ran through the summer, and they did not want to break the contract. I can see no reason to have 6 months of coffee sitting around, and I can see no reason why UA would ever pre-order that quantity. Expensive to store, and everyone should know that it deteriorates.
Mar 7, 2016, 11:25 am
#162
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Mar 7, 2016, 11:46 am
#163
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There are many (perhaps good) reasons that this happens - but I'm quite sure that Coffee inventory likely isn't on UA's inventory dashboard screen....
Mar 28, 2016, 5:32 pm
#164
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I just wanted to send a quick report that I had my first cup of Illy on board today! They tested the coffee on board the morning ORD-DEN flight today, and we were the first in the network to try it in flight.
And the coffee was great! Definitely an upgrade over the FreshBrew...people actually got refills! Someone from corporate was also on board to oversee the test brewing with the passengers. The flight attendant did say that they cleaned out the water pipes and brew pots thoroughly right before this test however, so maybe that helped too.
They said that it will be rolled out throughout the network by this summer I believe.
And the coffee was great! Definitely an upgrade over the FreshBrew...people actually got refills! Someone from corporate was also on board to oversee the test brewing with the passengers. The flight attendant did say that they cleaned out the water pipes and brew pots thoroughly right before this test however, so maybe that helped too.
They said that it will be rolled out throughout the network by this summer I believe.
Mar 28, 2016, 9:32 pm
#165
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I just wanted to send a quick report that I had my first cup of Illy on board today! They tested the coffee on board the morning ORD-DEN flight today, and we were the first in the network to try it in flight.
And the coffee was great! Definitely an upgrade over the FreshBrew...people actually got refills! Someone from corporate was also on board to oversee the test brewing with the passengers. The flight attendant did say that they cleaned out the water pipes and brew pots thoroughly right before this test however, so maybe that helped too.
They said that it will be rolled out throughout the network by this summer I believe.
And the coffee was great! Definitely an upgrade over the FreshBrew...people actually got refills! Someone from corporate was also on board to oversee the test brewing with the passengers. The flight attendant did say that they cleaned out the water pipes and brew pots thoroughly right before this test however, so maybe that helped too.
They said that it will be rolled out throughout the network by this summer I believe.