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
Jul 2, 2016 | 5:19 pm
#226
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In the new in-flight entertainment/guide in the back of each seat-pocket it shows a picture of an illy cappuccino. How is that for bait and switch?!
Jul 2, 2016 | 6:26 pm
#227
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Jul 2, 2016 | 6:48 pm
#228
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Jul 2, 2016 | 10:06 pm
#229
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Jul 2, 2016 | 10:50 pm
#230
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https://unitedshop.summitmg.com/unitedshopr/default.asp, then retro inspired-I don't see blue available though
Jul 3, 2016 | 11:06 am
#233
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Mrs. Transportprof is the coffee connoisseur in our family. She had the Illy yesterday in both the PHL UC and on an A319 PHL-ORD. She pronounced the in-flight Illy to taste better than the UC Illy.
And she claimed the in-flight Illy was the best coffee she had ever been served on United.
And she claimed the in-flight Illy was the best coffee she had ever been served on United.
Jul 3, 2016 | 5:13 pm
#234
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https://unitedshop.summitmg.com/unitedshopr/default.asp, then retro inspired-I don't see blue available though
Jul 3, 2016 | 6:16 pm
#235
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Mrs. Transportprof is the coffee connoisseur in our family. She had the Illy yesterday in both the PHL UC and on an A319 PHL-ORD. She pronounced the in-flight Illy to taste better than the UC Illy.
And she claimed the in-flight Illy was the best coffee she had ever been served on United.
And she claimed the in-flight Illy was the best coffee she had ever been served on United.
Jul 3, 2016 | 6:21 pm
#236
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Would be interesting to know if they had kept the sUA contract would that be cheaper than the illy deal now?
Jul 3, 2016 | 6:32 pm
#237
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There may have been a short window when one could get a cappuccino on United before the edict to remove these machines was implemented, but we missed that window.
Jul 3, 2016 | 7:13 pm
#238
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Was 'Light Note' not discontinued many years ago? Or are you wondering more generally about the terms of UA's Starbucks contract relative to the current Illy one?
Jul 3, 2016 | 8:51 pm
#239
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Starbucks went bye bye after the merger.
Jul 3, 2016 | 8:54 pm
#240
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For the coffee drinkers out there (not me) - is illy a better offering than whatever AA and DL are serving? Just curious 