For coffee enthusiasts, there’s nothing worse than having to drink a bad cup of coffee, especially during a tiring flight. Alaska Airlines has found a solution to this problem.
The sense of taste and smell are closely linked, and a person’s sense of smell often changes significantly while flying.
Special coffee served on board. (Photo: Daily Coffee News).
In fact, the food and drinks are perceived differently because the airplane’s pressurized cabin reduces the oxygen levels in the blood, thereby hindering the sense of smell. The extremely dry air in the cabin, with humidity levels lower than the Sahara Desert, also affects nasal function.
That’s why passengers often find that the coffee they drink on planes tastes bland or more bitter than usual.
To address this issue, Alaska Airlines has partnered with the Portland-based producer Stumptown to develop and serve Holler Mountain – a medium-bodied coffee blend that combines richer notes reminiscent of gummy candy, brown butter, and toffee with subtle hints of oil, orange, tangerine, and cherry. The result is a coffee that offers a more unique flavor when enjoyed in the skies.
Alaska Airlines revealed to CNN that after more than a year of development, Holler Mountain has gone through 20 different versions that were tested, including on flights and through blind surveys (a type of survey where the participant or tester does not know the item/product being tested).
Alaska even experimented with coffee flavors paired with cream and Biscoff cookies to ensure the best combination possible.
However, this newly established partnership with Stumptown means that Alaska Airlines will soon end its decades-long relationship with Starbucks.
Alaska stated: “We are grateful to our friends at Starbucks and proud to have served Starbucks coffee on our flights for many years.”
Rival airline Delta Air Lines continues to serve Starbucks on its flights.
“Coffee on airplanes often seems like a joke to many travelers. That’s why airlines often try to elevate their offerings with various global coffee brands; nevertheless, most integrated options remain mediocre,” said Edward Russell, editor of Airline Weekly, to CNN.
Mr. Russell added that he is not overly confident that a custom coffee will draw many new customers to the airline, but the collaboration with Stumptown could be a timely highlight for the company.
Other companies contracted to provide products for Alaska Airlines include Tillamook cheese, Salt & Straw ice cream, and Straightaway canned cocktails.
