A Latte of Options Provided to British Airways Coffee Loving Customers
British Airways is partnering with British specialty roaster, Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, to provide customers with great tasting coffee in the air and on the ground.
The airline will be serving the UK based company’s hand-roasted coffee in all of its UK lounges and to those travelling in its First and Club World cabins, from next month.
Founded in 2001 the east London based Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, is one of the UK’s largest speciality coffee roasters and suppliers. Together with the airline, the direct trade coffee supplier has developed an exclusive blend that works well at 35,000ft.
Sourced from Peru the medium roast blend has espresso tasting notes of chocolate, pecan, and caramel, which will complement dishes served on board, such as the chocolate délice or warm bread and butter pudding.
“Our £4.5 billion investment programme for our customers doesn’t just focus on the big-ticket items – we know it is often the small things that really make a difference to them. A great cup of coffee to get them up and hitting the ground running after a long haul flight is exactly one of those details that really matters.
“We have put British brand, Union Coffee, through its paces with extensive taste testing and it works incredibly well at altitude, where richness, depth and complexity of flavour are critical as they cut through the affect of altitude on our taste buds. We believe it will be a real winner with customers made all the sweeter thanks to its responsible sourcing and British credentials, in line with our own,” said Sarah Klatt-Walsh, British Airways’ Head of Product.
“Speciality coffee continues to take the world by storm and we are delighted that the airline is looking to bring a fantastic coffee experience to its Club World and First passengers. On our part, it’s tremendously exciting to be working with one of the world’s most trusted and prestigious brands,” said Jeremy Torz, Co-founder of Union Hand-Roasted Coffee.
The coffee stations within the airline’s UK lounges will be revamped as part of the introduction of Union Coffee, to best display the wide range of options and detail the company’s dedication to sustainable sourcing.
This joins a number of other changes to improve the quality and quantity of food in its lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick. Hot food is now available throughout the whole day, with a better selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options, including organic soups.
First customers can select from a wide range of coffee options on demand, including latte, cappuccino, filter coffee and espresso. The airline’s Club World customers can enjoy premium filter coffee.
British Airways is investing £4.5 billion for customers over the next five years. As part of this investment the airline has spent millions of pounds in its World Traveller (long-haul economy cabin) catering, introducing an exciting and expanded new menu, which provides more quantity and quality to both meals and great snacking options throughout the flight.
The investment also includes installing the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline is also investing £600 million specifically in Club World, including outstanding catering and luxurious White Company bedding – plus, from 2019, a new seat with direct aisle access.
British Airways was a four-time winner of the World Branding Awards in the Airline category.
