Cathay Pacific Partners With illy for Freshly Ground Inflight Coffee

If you’ve ever sipped a disappointing cup of coffee at 35,000 feet, you’re not alone. Cabin air dulls your taste and smell, making great coffee hard to deliver. But Cathay Pacific and illy have cracked the code—serving freshly ground coffee in first and business class that actually tastes like it should.

Cathay Pacific has introduced freshly ground illy coffee for all first and business class passengers. Starting immediately, passengers can enjoy illy’s medium and dark roasted beans, with espresso, latte, and cappuccino options rolling out in March.

Why Freshly Ground Coffee Matters at Altitude

High-altitude cabins have lower air pressure and humidity, which suppress your ability to taste sweetness and bitterness and dull your sense of smell—key elements in enjoying coffee. That’s why most airplane coffee tastes weak or off. To solve this, Cathay Pacific didn’t just serve any coffee—they selected illy, known for producing beans that perform exceptionally well under these challenging conditions.

The Science Behind the Brew

Cathay Pacific conducted multiple test flights to ensure the coffee would deliver the right balance of aroma and flavour for passengers. The chosen illy beans—medium and dark roast—have a darker, shinier appearance and a fuller body. These roasts develop more than 800 aromatic compounds through the Maillard reaction, resulting in intense notes of chocolate, nuts, caramel, and toasted bread. These flavours hold up better in the pressurised, dry cabin environment, allowing passengers to enjoy a rich, satisfying cup that tastes closer to what they’d get on the ground.

Custom Equipment & Brewing Protocols

To brew coffee at altitude isn’t as simple as using premium beans—you also need the right setup. Cathay Pacific collaborated with illy to develop custom coffee filter bags designed specifically for use in the airline’s coffee machines. These filter bags are made from materials and in dimensions that optimise extraction during the high-altitude brewing process. Additionally, the airline fine-tuned both water temperature and brew time to ensure the coffee’s full aroma and crema come through—even 30,000 feet up. Every variable, from grind size to contact time, has been adjusted for cabin conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Cathay Pacific cabins serve freshly ground illy coffee?

Freshly ground illy coffee is available to all passengers in first and business class. Espresso-based drinks including espresso, latte, and cappuccino will be introduced starting in March.

What type of illy coffee beans are served on Cathay Pacific flights?

Cathay Pacific serves illy’s medium and dark roasted beans, which are selected for their robust flavour profiles that perform well in the dry, pressurised cabin environment. These roasts bring out notes of chocolate, nuts, caramel, and toastiness.

Did Cathay Pacific modify their coffee equipment for inflight use?

Yes. Cathay Pacific worked with illy to create custom coffee filter bags suited for the airline’s coffee machines. They also adjusted water temperature and brew time to optimise extraction and aroma under cabin conditions.

When will espresso-based drinks be available on Cathay Pacific flights?

Espresso, latte, and cappuccino options will be introduced on Cathay Pacific flights starting in March, alongside the existing freshly ground coffee service.

Why does coffee taste different on airplanes?

On airplanes, lower air pressure and humidity reduce your ability to perceive sweetness, bitterness, and aroma. This makes coffee often taste bland or bitter. illy’s medium and dark roasts maintain richer flavours that hold up better in these conditions.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Dark Roast Coffee

For coffee lovers who enjoy the bold, rich profile of dark roasts like those served on Cathay Pacific, FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling and Brazil Queen Manor are excellent choices. PWN Golden Mandheling delivers low acidity, heavy body, and a clean, spicy sweetness with notes of dark chocolate and herbs. Brazil Queen Manor features nutty and cacao undertones with hints of caramel and a smooth, balanced mouthfeel. Both beans showcase the depth and complexity that dark roasting highlights. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.