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
Nov 19, 2015 | 11:23 am
#46
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I like dark roast also, but my SO likes lighter/weaker coffee.
Nov 19, 2015 | 12:05 pm
#50
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Nov 19, 2015 | 12:09 pm
#51
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I wonder if they had Conan's Jordan Schlansky weigh in on the coffee debate. Surely he wouldn't approve of illy. http://teamcoco.com/video/jordan-coffee-metrosexual-music-video
I love illy and glad it will be in the clubs and onboard soon. Lead time has to do with distribution I would imagine.
I love illy and glad it will be in the clubs and onboard soon. Lead time has to do with distribution I would imagine.
Nov 19, 2015 | 12:10 pm
#52
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Reason behind summer 2016 date?
Per: Biz Journals
(http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/n...caffe-for.html)
"Sakowitz said FreshBrew's three-year contract with United Airlines ends in March of 2016."
Per: Biz Journals
(http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/n...caffe-for.html)
"Sakowitz said FreshBrew's three-year contract with United Airlines ends in March of 2016."
Nov 19, 2015 | 12:18 pm
#53
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I really do see our company shifting in a new direction, and this announcement is definitely a start. Of course there are going to be the haters that do not like the illy brand, but it is a HUGE leap over what is currently being served.
Oscar really appears to be a wise CEO as he is attacking quick win items. Will coffee be a determining factor whether someone chooses UA over DL or AA? I would say not, but coffee was a small change that was a huge complaint from our customers showing the change in direction/vision.
Bravo Oscar, see you soon and thanks for the change!
Oscar really appears to be a wise CEO as he is attacking quick win items. Will coffee be a determining factor whether someone chooses UA over DL or AA? I would say not, but coffee was a small change that was a huge complaint from our customers showing the change in direction/vision.
Bravo Oscar, see you soon and thanks for the change!
Nov 19, 2015 | 12:57 pm
#56
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Congrats illy! An instantly recognizable brand with world reach.
If PMCO was able to have LiveTV install Directv on-board aircraft for free, can UACO have illy install espresso makers on board aircraft for free?
If PMCO was able to have LiveTV install Directv on-board aircraft for free, can UACO have illy install espresso makers on board aircraft for free?
Nov 19, 2015 | 1:10 pm
#57
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I tend to board with a coffee (I like iced…) rather than drinking the stuff brewed onboard, except on longhauls. This won't change that, but it sure is nice to see another sign (along with the Buffalo Trace) that UA wants us to think of flying them as a nice experience, rather than just providing minimum service amenities that mostly serve to as reminders of better products available on other airlines.
Nov 19, 2015 | 2:12 pm
#58
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So, I watched the video UA posted about this ...
One of the items there said UA buys 1.4 million pounds of coffee annually.
Let's assume a premium brand of coffee at retail prices. Make an assumption of $12/lb.
That's $16.8m/year on coffee itself.
That's nothing in a global airline spend. Absolutely nothing.
Squeeze that down - assume they're paying a little less than $12/lb, and then subtract out whatever they're paying for FreshBrew (it's a non-zero number, no matter what we think of it) - this really could be a $1m or less change that has huge customer impact - both from a branding and customer sat perspective!
One of the items there said UA buys 1.4 million pounds of coffee annually.
Let's assume a premium brand of coffee at retail prices. Make an assumption of $12/lb.
That's $16.8m/year on coffee itself.
That's nothing in a global airline spend. Absolutely nothing.
Squeeze that down - assume they're paying a little less than $12/lb, and then subtract out whatever they're paying for FreshBrew (it's a non-zero number, no matter what we think of it) - this really could be a $1m or less change that has huge customer impact - both from a branding and customer sat perspective!
Nov 19, 2015 | 2:20 pm
#59
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Nov 19, 2015 | 2:21 pm
#60
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Considering that many companies require CEO signoff for any risk/spend over $5MM, it is still a lot of money, and discretionary money to boot. Not saying it isn't something they should do. But it's still spend that is hard to quantify adding "back" to the bottom line. Personally, there is something to these little quick wins - it does add back to the bottom line - but not in a quantifiable manner.