British Airways Brews Up Exclusive Grind Coffee Blend for Premium Cabins and Lounges
April 22 - 2026
Coffee Geography Magazine
British Airways is deepening its ties with London-based coffee roaster Grind, announcing a major expansion of their partnership that will introduce a new, exclusive coffee blend to the airline’s premium cabins and lounges around the world.
The move marks a significant upgrade to the carrier’s in-flight beverage experience, replacing the previous offering with a bespoke roast meticulously designed to deliver the perfect taste at altitude.
The new signature blend is the result of a unique collaboration between Tim Jackson, British Airways’ Master of Wine—who oversees the airline’s entire complimentary drinks portfolio—and Howard Gill, Grind’s Head of Coffee. Together, they have created a dark roast made from an equal trio of Brazilian estates, specifically formulated to perform at 35,000 feet, where cabin pressure and dryness can dull the senses of taste and smell.
The resulting smoky, full-bodied brew features notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and toasted pecan, using specialty-grade Arabica beans to ensure a smooth cup.
"We’re proud to be the first airline to serve Grind in the skies," said Tim Jackson. "This Shoreditch-born favorite will now be enjoyed by millions of customers traveling to more than 200 destinations worldwide. The dark roast blends have been carefully selected to suit every stage of the journey, whether it’s a caffeine boost while working in our lounges or awakening the senses in the air."
The new bespoke filter coffee will be served complimentary in the airline’s Club Europe (short-haul business class) and Club World (long-haul business class) cabins. For passengers in First class, an elevated experience awaits: they will be offered Grind’s popular dark roast espresso, prepared to their preference using either the signature house blend or decaffeinated pods.
The First-class offering will also be mirrored across British Airways’ UK lounges, where travelers can choose from a variety of self-serve, barista-style coffee options—from lattes to espressos—creating a "bean to brew" experience on the ground.
The focus on quality comes as no surprise given customer demand. Last year, coffee ranked as one of the most popular drinks among passengers, with the airline serving over 90 tonnes of coffee across its flights and lounges.
The partnership builds on the success of a buy-on-board trial that began in July 2024. For customers in Euro Traveller (short-haul economy), Grind products remain available for purchase via the airline’s High Life Café menu, including Iced Caramel Latte, Flat White, and Black Coffee.
David Abrahamovitch, Founder and CEO of Grind, expressed his pride in the expanded collaboration. "For Grind to go from a single café in Shoreditch to the premium coffee partner for British Airways globally in a little over a decade is a huge moment for our team," he said. "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."
Since opening its first location in 2011, Grind has grown to include restaurants, coffee shops, and a state-of-the-art roastery. The new bespoke British Airways blend is available exclusively on the airline’s flights starting this month.