Recently United Airlines is offering illy’s signature scuro dark roast and espresso in United Club locations at the airline’s mainland U.S. hubs, with the scuro dark roast coming to flights worldwide this summer. This collaboration was years in the making and came to life after extensive in-flight taste testing with United customers and employees. illy began in Trieste, Italy, the Adriatic port town where coffee first entered Europe, and in 1933 company founder Francesco Illy developed the modern espresso machine. A recent Wine Spectator magazine article praised the coffee, saying it “has become a gold standard in high-end restaurants and five-star hotels around the world.” illy’s unique flavor comes from a unique blend of Arabica beans that are purchased directly from the best growers in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa. The company's commitment to excellence is seen through its coffee education program at its headquarters in Italy and continued technical innovations. “Our collaboration with illyis helping to make the world feel a bit smaller and making flying that much more special, simply by way of a perfect cup of coffee,” said Jimmy Samartzis, United’s vice president of food services and United Clubs.“By serving the world’s most well-known premium coffee in our clubs and on board, we are communicating an experience to our customers and our employees with the quality and care that comes with every cup.”

This announcement comes on the heels of United revealing that Renowned mixologist Adam Seger will oversee upgraded complimentary and premium spirits programs and bartender training at United Club, Global First Lounge, and United Arrivals Lounge locations worldwide. Additionally, Award-winning celebrity chef, author, educator, and restaurateur Art Smith will contribute to United Club and lounge menu planning design, and food presentations.

“It’s truly an honor for illy to be selected as the worldwide coffee partner for United Airlines.The process and final decision to choose illy demonstrates United’s deep commitment to providing its customers the highest quality products and experiences,” said Andrea Illy, Chairman, and CEO of illy Caffe s.p.a. “Our new relationship with United Airlines is also a testament to our passion for the best and recognition that the illy brand is the world's reference for coffee culture and excellence.” United's partnership with illy is among a string of customer experience enhancements which include Crafthouse Cocktails’ Moscow Mulevodka cocktail on board United-operated North and Central America flights and Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on flights worldwide and into many United Club locations in the U.S.

Within the past month United Airlines unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline’s most significant product transformation in more than a decade. The service will feature a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, lounge-to-landing experience. The United Polaris business class seat will debut in December 2016, and will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6’6” of bed space. Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer’s personal suite will feature mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, and more. United will also open exclusive business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals.

By Mosaka Williamson