Now Boarding: Actually Good Inflight Coffee
We’ve all been there. Buckled in, tray table down, and hopes raised by the rich coffee aroma wafting down the aisle. Then you taste it. Bitter. Burnt. Betrayal at 35,000 feet.
A MATCH MADE IN THE SKIES
Thankfully, both Peet’s and Southwest Airlines® believe in doing things differently. Our founder, Alfred Peet, sparked the coffee revolution that changed how Americans drink and think about coffee. Southwest® shares that same spirit of innovation. From democratizing air travel to earning consistent recognition for exceptional service, they’ve redefined what it means to fly with heart. Now, Southwest is continuing to elevate the inflight experience, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
WHEN SMALL COMFORTS COUNT
Travel can be disorienting. Chances are you stayed up late packing or woke up early to make your flight. Your body’s in one time zone; your brain’s in another. Your daily routine is out of whack. That’s when small comforts matter most.
Coffee people know their daily cup is about more than caffeine—it’s grounding. A sensory experience that allows you to pause and refocus. The cup that warms your hands. The aroma. The first familiar sip. Coffee signals that we’re home, even when we’re physically miles from it.
COFFEE VS. CABIN
Airplane coffee has a reputation that’s not exactly first-class. Turns out, the beans aren’t only to blame. It’s science.
The cabin air is extremely dry. And that lack of moisture in our nose and mouth dulls our ability to detect sweet and salty notes. The low air pressure, which reduces our sense of smell—a key driver of taste—only makes things worse. Even the constant engine noise plays a role: research shows that 80-decibel hum can suppress sweetness and enhance umami, further distorting how things taste.
What does this mean for a cup of coffee? Acidity flattens. Aromatics fade. Nuance dulls. Many coffees simply aren’t up to the challenge. That’s why Peet’s Off the Grid™, a spirited medium roast blend, is Southwest’s top pick to serve onboard. Its heightened juicy, fruit-forward notes and bright character are better able to cut through the ‘meh’ and offer the flavor travelers crave. Always hand roasted in small batches for optimum flavor and freshness, Off the Grid™ is a coffee you’d choose anywhere. It just happens to fly really well, too.
Peet's can’t shorten your flight, but we can offer a taste of well-crafted comfort in a cup. That’s why we (and 140 million flyers annually) are excited that Peet’s is now the Official Coffee of Southwest Airlines. See you in the sky!