August Newsletter: Get ready for the coffee wars in the sky ☕️

In partnership with

For years, the inflight cup of joe was entirely forgettable at best. At worst, it was literally undrinkable. That’s changing as airlines realize that serving a stellar coffee experience can be a brand differentiator. Southwest is the latest to significantly overhaul its java program. Other carriers are experimenting with barista-style espresso carts and premium instant-coffee packs.

Let’s dive in.

Brewing the future: Why coffee is the next big inflight differentiator

At cruising altitude, your taste buds take a hit: Sweetness fades. Aromas vanish. Bitterness spikes.

That’s why inflight coffee has been mostly a punchline: hot and brown, yes, but barely drinkable.

Recently, however, airlines are waking up to a revelation: Something as simple as a good cup of coffee can turn a groggy, jet-lagged passenger into a loyal fan.

The humble inflight cup of joe is becoming the next big battleground for the passenger experience. Airlines are experimenting with custom altitude-adjusted roasts, AI-powered galley systems, and barista-style espresso carts.

The latest salvo in the coffee wars comes from Southwest Airlines. The budget carrier has ditched its longtime vendor Community Coffee in favor of Peet’s Coffee, considered by many connoisseurs as a more thoughtful counterpart to Starbucks.

Starting this month, all Southwest passengers will enjoy Peet’s coffee brewed from a medium roast blend it calls Off the Grid. Peet’s says the blend was specifically chosen because its “heightened juicy, fruit-forward notes and bright character” are better able to withstand the harsh inflight environment.

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Southwest snack goes viral

Forget about Michelin-quality menus or fancy cocktails in the sky. Sometimes all it takes for passengers to rave about your airline is a great snack. Southwest Airlines surprised passengers by swapping its classic bag of peanuts for Stellar Snacks’ Maui Monk Pretzel Braids. The switch-up delighted fliers, who took to social media, and inspired a rush on the snacks at Costco. [Simple Flying]

United upgrades transatlantic coach menu

United Airlines already gets high marks for its meal options in economy class for long-haul flights. The carrier is sweetening the experience by adding a fresh appetizer to the menu for flights between the U.S. and Europe, starting in September. An experienced travel writer says United’s food in economy class is “decidedly above average.” [Live & Let’s Fly]

Alaska Airlines goes premium with dining program

If you haven’t already noticed, Alaska is making major moves to improve its inflight catering program in every way. See our story on the coffee wars and Alaska’s groundbreaking partnership with Stumptown. Recently, the carrier introduced its Chef’s (tray) Table program, a series of collabs with West Coast chefs. This summer, Alaska also launched a new wave of seasonal dishes and a First Class dining program meant to rival restaurant fare. [Business Traveler]

A word from our partner

Airlines face major challenges in coordinating in-flight catering, as miscommunication between teams can lead to loading errors, delays, and wasted resources. Many still rely on outdated systems like printed documents or emails, which make real-time collaboration difficult.

Modern in-flight catering software streamlines operations by improving communication, reducing errors, and ensuring that meal provisioning runs smoothly—saving both time and money.

IFCS Aviation Galley Planner is the easiest way to monitor and control the operational functions related to inflight catering, menu planning, and galley loading.

TECH CHECK

What does Delta’s new AI pricing portend?

All eyes are on Delta Airlines as the carrier tests a new AI-driven technology that dynamically prices tickets based on a passenger’s predicted willingness to pay. Experts say the move is a major shift toward AI-enabled pricing. This conversation with a pricing expert at the Leeds School of Business explores why this AI model is different from past pricing strategies and what it could mean for the whole industry. [CU Boulder Today]

How to modernize airline planning

The smart folks at McKinsey are out with a report on how airlines can vastly overhaul their planning processes by introducing new tools, methods, and mindsets. “A fully integrated approach to airline planning, using a process that unites commercial and operational considerations, could achieve improved results,” the authors say, noting that billions of dollars in cost savings are at stake. [McKinsey]

The One Chart You Need to Know

Every year, The Points Guy, a well-known website that helps fliers maximize their credit card travel points, ranks the best airlines in the U.S. For the seventh year in a row, Delta Airlines has taken the top spot. Meanwhile, American Airlines fell three places this year to seventh. United, Southwest, and Hawaiian all made gains.

Read the rest of the report here.

We want your feedback!

What stories would you like to see covered in The Galley? What trends are on your radar?

Reach out to [email protected] with your questions / comments / feedback.