BA Expands Grind Partnership with Custom Inflight Coffee Blend
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British Airways (BA) is expanding its partnership with Grind to introduce a new custom coffee blend made specifically for drinking in the air. It will be served in premium cabins and lounges around the world as part of a bigger push to improve BA’s beverage experience. The move shows how airlines are paying more attention to taste, quality, and brand partnerships when it comes to food and beverage offerings.
Crafting Coffee for Consumption at Altitude
In July 2024, British Airways became the first airline to serve Grind in the air as part of its High Life Café menu for Euro Traveller passengers. In an expansion of the partnership, the Shoreditch, London-born brand is now BA’s partner for complimentary coffee served across its premium cabins and lounges.
“It’s another step in championing British quality as we continue to elevate our beverage portfolio, with more to come as part of our multi-million-pound investment this year.”
– Tim Jackson, British Airways
As such, a new custom blend tailored for inflight conditions was co-created by British Airways Master of Wine Tim Jackson and Grind Head of Coffee Howard Gill. They worked closely to create a flavor profile that maintains richness and balance at altitude, where cabin pressure and low humidity can change how coffee tastes, making flavors harder to notice. Made from high-quality Arabica beans sourced from Brazil and roasted darker to create a richer, fuller flavor, the blend brings out distinct notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and toasted pecan. The product will be served across Club Europe and Club World cabins, where passengers will receive freshly brewed filter coffee.
Passengers traveling in First Class with British Airways will be able to order dark roast espresso drinks made however they like using either Grind’s signature house blend or decaffeinated pods. Grind’s dark roast has notes of chocolate, almond, and caramel.
The rollout also extends beyond the aircraft. Grind coffee is now available across the airline’s UK lounges, with customers able to access a range of self-serve, barista-style options. BA is planning to expand this across its global lounge network, creating a consistent coffee experience from ground to air.
Coffee continues to play a significant role in the airline’s onboard service. In the past year alone, British Airways served more than 90 tons of coffee across flights and lounges.
“The dark roast blends have been carefully selected to suit every stage of the journey, whether that’s a welcome caffeine boost while working in our lounges, awakening the senses in the air or offering a comforting cup ahead of landing. It’s another step in championing British quality as we continue to elevate our beverage portfolio, with more to come as part of our multi-million-pound investment this year,” said British Airways Master of Wine Tim Jackson.
Elevating the Beverage Experience Through Partnerships
The partnership with Grind is part of a bigger push to upgrade British Airways’ beverage program. Along with coffee, the airline is investing more in wine, tea, and other premium options to create a more consistent, high-quality experience across cabins.
Last May, it partnered with Birchall on its tea offering, and has recently introduced an upgraded wine program, including new selections and rotating regional features. This approach allows passengers to experience a variety of wines tied to specific destinations, adding an element of discovery to the onboard experience. In First Class, BA is also adding more premium options like high-end Champagne and British sparkling wines.
“We’ve had an incredible two years on board European flights already, and we hope that British Airways customers in lounges and on board long-haul flights will love the new blends we have created just as much,” said Grind Founder and CEO David Abrahamovitch.
By extending the Grind partnership across its premium cabins and lounges, British Airways is creating a more consistent coffee offering across its network. Passengers experience the same brand and quality whether traveling short-haul, long-haul, or through the lounge, reinforcing a more cohesive end-to-end journey.