A cute article in Forbes pokes fun at the hysteria over airline coffee. I concur in full.
Is airline coffee better than it has ever been? Will McGough says YES and makes a good case for it:
To me, the state of airline coffee is better than ever, and it would be a shame to have to stop drinking it now, after all these years, after airlines have finally started to care about what they serve.
A look around the airline industry shows Starbucks (Delta/Alaska), Dunkin’ Donuts (JetBlue), Java City (American), illy (United), Kona (Hawaiian), Change Please (Virgin Atlantic) – heck, WestJet even serves McDonald’s coffee.
I will say that United, the carrier I fly most often, does have good coffee but arguably has taken a step backwards in other ways. Prior to the merger with United, Continental Airlines had espresso machines on widebody planes that could make espressos, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and other espresso-based drinks. Former CEO Jeff Smisek ripped out all those machines in a cost-cutting move. It’s sad to finally have decent coffee, but no espresso options…
But overall, I’d say the state of airline coffee is good. It is drinkable on most airlines and we’ve come along way from the Fresh Poo Fresh Brew coffee from Houston Continental/United used to serve.
But what about the whole potable water problem? Isn’t the water contaminated? Isn’t it deadly?
That’s what some scare mongers would have you believe, but that is simply questionable speculation at best.
McGough’s bottom line is correct:
Bacteria or no bacteria, Starbucks tastes a lot better than whatever the heck they were serving ten years ago.
(and I don’t even like Starbucks coffee)
So I concur in this:
If you haven’t tried the coffee on a flight recently, if you’re one of those people living in the past, I suggest you give it a shot.
That is… if you dare.
Give the coffee a shot. Life’s too short to be afraid of the water. And the coffee is actually better than it has ever been.
image: illy
My biggest complaint about airline coffee is that it’s usually weak.
So, when I was a flight attendant I used to put one coffee packet into the brewer (as instructed) and another in the bottom of the pot; removing it with tongs (carefully, so it didn’t tear) at the end of the brew cycle. This made a robust pot of coffee that almost always garnered compliments from passengers.
That’s right, I know you like strong coffee Ken!
AA serves Fresh Brew (aka the garbage United ditched for Illy)
“Starbucks tastes a lot better than whatever the heck they were serving ten years ago.” Ten years ago United was serving Starbucks. Delta picked up Starbucks when United ditched it for Fresh Brew.
Cabin pressurization creates challenges brewing decent coffee even when using better grounds. The machine matters, the water matters, the pressurization matters and the coffee itself matters for delivering decent taste.
I still avoid coffee on U.S. domestic flights, although I’ve had great cups on ANA, Asiana, Etihad…
Indeed, UA was the first carrier to proudly brew SBUX in 1996. It was a major coup. NW served Caravali (both airline and roaster sadly RIP). DL eventually countered by serving Caribou.
AA’s current brew has been best described as poison. I don’t know why they continue to do this. I don’t imagine anyone ever chooses AA coffee a second time.
Good coffee needs to be accompanied by a good smoke. China airlines then? Lol
I will try a hot cup of coffee in the upcoming flight, see it as good as you say
I was shocked by how good the coffee was on Southwest this past weekend. Tbey serve “Community” Coffee. To me, it was even better than the Illy on United. I wasn’t expecting that.
Gary hit the high notes: “[t]he machine matters, the water matters, the pressurization matters and the coffee itself matters for delivering decent taste.” But, for me, a clean coffee pot is essential for good flavor. Rancid coffee oils inside the pot can spoil otherwise good coffee and I know what that tastes like. I have encountered it many times on planes but seldom in restaurants. Do they remove the pots from the planes and clean them? How often?
Good coffee needs to be accompanied by a good smoke. China airlines then? Lol