Alaska Airlines is adding Stumptown cold brew onboard this summer, and as someone who loves a proper iced coffee, I think this is a very welcome addition.
Alaska Airlines Adds Stumptown Cold Brew Onboard
Alaska Airlines is expanding its partnership with Stumptown Coffee Roasters by adding Stumptown cold brew onboard select flights this summer.
The new Stumptown Copilot Cold Brew will be available on select domestic Alaska Airlines flights plus flights to Reykjavik (KEF) beginning July 1, 2026. It will be complimentary in premium cabins (first class and “premium” class) and available for purchase in economy class. To be clear, Alaska has not revealed which domestic flights will have it.
This is part of a broader summer beverage refresh across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, including new wines, cocktails, and even Champagne, but the cold brew is the item that immediately caught my attention.
I love coffee, and I especially love good coffee onboard. Alaska already deserves credit for replacing Starbucks coffee with a custom Stumptown blend that was designed to taste good at altitude. I can personally attest that it’s best some of the best filter coffee I’ve ever had on a plane.
Now it is taking that partnership a step further with a canned cold brew option.
A good cold brew is a great onboard drink. It does not depend on aircraft potable water or require brewing in the galley. It also does not require ice to be enjoyable, (though I like mine over ice). It’s also a nice option for those who may not drink alcohol.
Alaska says the new cold brew is intended to complement its existing Stumptown coffee program, which has been part of the airline’s broader effort to bring more West Coast food and beverage brands onboard.
That is one thing Alaska does well. The airline has a clear sense of place. Whether it is Stumptown coffee, Straightaway cocktails, West Coast wines, or its surprisingly good food-for-purchase menu, Alaska has made its onboard product feel a little more thoughtful than what you find on most domestic competitors (right now, United Airlines is the only one that comes close).
I recently tried both the carnitas breakfast bowl and antipasto platter and was impressed. It was delicious and satisfying…better than most airport food. Add a can of Stumptown cold brew to that, and suddenly you have a very pleasant domestic economy class meal.
More airlines should think this way…it’s a small item that not only could be monetized, but builds loyalty.
CONCLUSION
Alaska Airlines is adding Stumptown Copilot Cold Brew onboard select domestic flights starting July 1, 2026, with complimentary service in premium cabins and purchase availability in economy.
Cold brew makes sense onboard, especially from a brand like Stumptown, and it gives passengers an additional caffeine option beyond standard airplane coffee. I look forward to trying this out.
image: Alaska Airlines
I mean, gold standard. Stumptown cold brew is great. The nitro variant is also very good. Will be interesting to try this one. Only thing that concerns me is the pictured can is only 7.5 oz? Make mine a double!
I highly recommend trying a bag of their Ethiopia Mordecofe – it’s excellent.
Do I wish that Stumptown was not owned by Keurig Dr Pepper / Peet’s? Yes. But they seem to let Stumptown do its own thing as a halo brand.
I burn my Amex Gold credit on reloading Dunkin gift cards then cold brew… not the best, but better than leaving that coupon credit on the table.
To be more precise, let’s add that Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a subsidiary of Peet’s Coffee, which is ultimately owned by the beverage and coffee conglomerate Keurig Dr Pepper.
Alaska also offers Athletic Non Alcoholic beers, they are doing a great job with their beverage offerings.
Kudos to AS! Greetings to Stumptown Copilot Cold Brew!
For foodies → Stumptown Copilot Cold Brew features a simple recipe containing just two ingredients—ethically sourced coffee beans and water—steeped in small batches. Traditional coffee often tastes bitter or bland in the sky due to cabin pressure and dry air. Like Stumptown’s custom hot blend, the Copilot Cold Brew is specifically dialed in to retain its nuanced flavor profile at 30,000 feet. Reviewers and travelers describe it as a bright, full-bodied cold brew that boasts a distinctly smooth, chocolatey finish. Aviation experts note it is a superior onboard choice because it does not rely on the aircraft’s potable water tanks or require hot galley brewing, tasting great straight out of the can or poured over ice. Unfortunately, it cannot be purchased in stores.
The thought of coffee in a can would incite protests and riots in Australia and New Zealand, we take our coffee quality extremely seriously and revere the blessed bean.
Generally, coffee served in flight is bad enough let alone having to cope with the thought of beans that have been scalded and tortured to be trapped for months in a can.
When will the madness end…?