Alaska Airlines Says It Has Created a Coffee Blend That Tastes Better While Flying

The custom blend, made in partnership with Stumptown Coffee, will be available on every flight by Dec. 1

Alaska Airlines says it has created a coffee that tastes better in the air.

The airline has brewed up a new partnership with the Portland-based Stumptown Coffee, and claims it has created a custom blend that’s resistant to the effects of high altitude onboard a plane that make food and beverages taste different, per CNN.

The custom coffee, which has been in development since the fall of 2022, will be available on every Alaska Airlines flight by Dec. 1, according to a news release on the Stumptown website. Per CNN, this will also include Alaska’s regional carrier, Horizon.

Announcing the partnership on its website Tuesday, Stumptown shared, “It’s hard not to see the Stumptown and Alaska brands as cut from the same fabric — from our Northwest roots and loyal following, to shared values around hospitality, quality, and sustainability. And, of course, we both believe that a comfortable flight is made better by an excellent cup of coffee.”

The release added that Stumptown has created a “blend that's fit for the skies” using the same “clean and sweet base” as its Holler Mountain blend, “but with a focus on a roast that mellows acidity and introduces just enough toastiness to please a wide range of palates.”

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“The custom blend served on flight is an organic coffee roasted deep enough to bring out notes of toasted marshmallow and dark chocolate, while remaining exceptionally smooth and balanced,” the release continued.

Alaska Airlines told CNN that 20 different versions of the coffee were taste-tested during flights and in blind surveys until a perfect blend was found.

“After selecting the coffee, we conducted extensive brewing tests with the Alaska team — on the ground and in the air — to understand how it tasted both below and above the clouds. We also wanted to ensure our roast profile worked with all types of brewing machines on Alaska aircraft," the release added.

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Stumptown also revealed that from Oct. 11 its signature blends — Holler Mountain, Hair Bender and Trapper Creek Decaf — will be available in the Alaska Lounges at Portland and JFK airports.

Alaska Airline’s new partnership with Stumptown sees the end of its 10-year partnership with Starbucks. Per CNN, a spokesperson for the airline said it is “grateful to our friends at Starbucks and proud to have served their coffee on board our flights for years.”

"Having flown millions of miles fueled by countless cups of coffee, Stumptown stands out as first class," Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in a press release. "Like travel, coffee has a remarkable way of bringing people together. I can't wait for our guests and employees to enjoy a cup of Stumptown when they fly with us."

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The release added that the coffee is "fit for the skies" as "our taste buds react differently at high altitude."

According to TIME, food and drink tastes different onboard a flight as the dry air in the cabin tends to suppress our sense of smell, which is important when it comes to how we taste. Low air pressure and loud engine noises also play a factor in passengers’ ability to smell and taste. 

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