Asiana Airlines Launches Inflight Pour-Over Coffee Service

Imagine you’re on a long-haul flight home after a hectic business trip or family holiday. You’re dozing off in your seat when a rich, familiar coffee aroma drifts through the cabin. Suddenly, you feel more awake—and a little less tired. That’s the power of coffee, especially when it arrives unexpectedly at 30,000 feet.

Asiana Airlines now offers hand-brewed pour-over coffee in select cabins, served by cabin crew trained as baristas. It’s the first airline in the world to provide this level of inflight specialty coffee service.

How a Flight Attendant Brought Specialty Coffee to the Skies

The idea came from 43-year-old veteran flight attendant Shim Jae-beom, who leads one of Asiana’s five cabin barista teams. Five years ago, Shim developed a passion for coffee after reading books, taking courses, and training professionally. “When someone grinds beans and brews me a cup, it feels amazing. I wanted my passengers to feel that too,” he said.

After testing the concept with positive passenger feedback, Asiana expanded the service. Shim earned certifications from the Korean and Australian specialty coffee associations, along with the SCAA Q-Grader license. But his coffee journey truly changed mid-flight.

On a long-haul trip to Sydney, Shim tried a rare Panamanian Geisha from Hacienda Esmeralda. “The young barista made six cups and poured out the first five. He said only the sixth was good enough. When I drank it, I sensed flowers, fruit—and something like encouragement. It felt like the coffee was talking to me.”

Why Pour-Over Works at Altitude

Shim uses only specialty-grade beans scoring 80–100 points per SCAA standards. He selects coffees based on cabin conditions—especially lower water boiling points—and passenger profiles. “Ethiopian beans work well because their aromas and flavors hold up even in cooler cabin air. Brazil and Colombia are reliable too.”

Seasonality matters more than origin. “Leisure travelers want to try unique coffees. Business passengers prefer familiar blends, so I often serve Brazilian beans for them.” Shim’s choices reflect both science and passenger psychology.

Pour-over is brewed only on flights over four hours, and initially limited to first and business class. In winter, economy passengers may also get a chance. “We consider crew availability, cost, equipment, and flight duration,” Shim explained.

More Than Just Coffee: Asiana’s Premium Touches

Beyond pour-over, Asiana offers unique inflight experiences. It pioneered in-flight magic shows, earning awards in 2002 and 2004. The airline also provides curated wine pairings with details on vintages and food matches—currently for premium cabins only.

Passengers can send postcards purchased onboard; they’re mailed after landing. And for skincare, flight attendants sometimes offer beauty services like masks, manicures, and makeup. Over 80% of passengers choose hydrating masks to combat dry cabin air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which flights have Asiana’s pour-over coffee service?

The service is currently available only on select international routes with first and business class cabins, typically on flights lasting over four hours. Economy passengers may occasionally receive it in winter.

What kind of coffee is used for inflight pour-over?

Shim selects only specialty-grade beans (80–100 SCAA score), often Ethiopian for their resilient aromas, or Brazilian and Colombian beans for broader appeal. Seasonal passenger preferences also influence the choice.

Who brews the coffee on the plane?

The coffee is prepared by trained cabin crew members—part of Asiana’s team of five barista groups—led by veteran flight attendant Shim Jae-beom, who holds professional coffee certifications including SCAA Q-Grader.

Does Asiana serve other unique services besides coffee?

Yes, the airline is also known for its in-flight magic shows, premium wine pairings, postcard mailing service, and occasional beauty treatments like masks and manicures, especially for long-haul flights.

Why is pour-over better than regular coffee inflight?

Pour-over allows precise control over water temperature and brew time, which is crucial in the lower-boiling, low-pressure cabin environment. It highlights the nuanced flavors of specialty beans better than standard methods.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Airline-Style Pour-Over

For inflight-style pour-over, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gedeb—bright citrus and floral notes shine even in cool cabin air. The Brazil Queen Manor (formerly '') offers smooth, nutty balance with creamy body, ideal for varied passenger tastes. Or choose the Colombia Sidra for sweet, fruity complexity. All three are expertly roasted for pour-over and travel-friendly flavor. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.