In a significant development, easyJet passengers will soon enjoy Costa Coffee beverages during their flights, as the UK’s largest branded coffee chain and the budget airline forge a new partnership set to commence from late summer 2024.
This collaboration marks the replacement of easyJet’s former in-flight coffee partner, Italian roaster Segafredo, with a selection of Costa Coffee offerings. Among the array of options to be served onboard are Costa Coffee Cappuccino, Latte, and Salted Caramel Latte beverages.
Expressing enthusiasm for this milestone, Mark Cumming, UK Commercial Director of Costa Coffee, emphasized the company’s dedication to delivering high-quality coffee even at cruising altitudes of 30,000 feet. He remarked, “Working with easyJet to bring Costa Coffee on board their flights is an exciting milestone for us… We look forward to offering our products to millions of passengers this Summer.”
This strategic move aligns with easyJet’s endeavor to enrich its onboard EAT.DRINK.SHOP experience, which encompasses food, beverage, and duty-free retail services managed by dnata, a Dubai-based catering and retail partner. Alongside the forthcoming Costa Coffee addition, easyJet currently offers Twinings tea, Cadbury hot chocolate, as well as a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages, hot and cold food options.
Richard Bainbridge, Retail Director at dnata, expressed delight in collaborating with both easyJet and Costa Coffee, heralding the introduction of a distinguished coffee experience within the inflight retail market.
Costa Coffee’s recent initiatives reflect a concerted effort to extend its global footprint across diverse retail platforms. Notable expansions include the establishment of physical outlets in Belgium and Italy earlier this year, along with the launch of in-store cafes in partnership with UK supermarket giant Sainsbury’s. Moreover, as part of its sponsorship for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games, Costa Coffee will operate temporary ‘pod’ stores across France.
In a forward-looking move, Costa Coffee joined forces with US hospitality group Delaware North in May 2024 to introduce a novel fully automated robotic coffee concept. Set to debut at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas come August 2024, Costa Coffee Creations promises to redefine the airport coffee experience.