When traveling on medium- to long-haul flights, passengers often enjoy coffee or tea onboard, raising an interesting question:
How much coffee does an airline consume in one year?
On November 1, World Coffee Day, Emirates Airlines disclosed its annual coffee consumption figures. Emirates serves over 130,000 kg (286,601 lbs) of coffee on its flights annually. Its lounges consume an additional 26,000 kg (57,320 lbs) of coffee beans, totaling approximately 170,000 kg (374,786 lbs) annually.
What type of coffee beans does Emirates Airlines use? Through a partnership with local specialty producer Martina, Emirates sources its signature Arabic coffee blend using premium Arabica beans from Brazil’s Minas region. This coffee features the light brown hue typical of Qahwa, a traditional Arab beverage. Emirates blends it with cardamom grown in the Guatemalan highlands and the world’s finest saffron to evoke the essence of Arabian hospitality.
This signature Arabic coffee blend is served to First Class passengers worldwide and is available in First and Business Class lounges. The lounges feature dedicated coffee counters, with baristas offering customers three freshly brewed single-origin blends. Emirates also collaborates with Lavazza, Coffee Planet, and Nairobi Coffee and Tea Company to provide an extensive coffee menu.
As part of the in-flight meal service, Economy and Premium Economy passengers can enjoy coffee once or twice during their flight. Business and First-class passengers have various options, including decaf, cappuccino, iced Americano, espresso, and macchiato. Additionally, the airline offers seasonal specialties like Rose-kissed Mocha and Orange Crush Latte for special occasions.
An Emirates Airlines representative emphasized that to enhance passengers’ coffee experience, Emirates provides specialized coffee training for its cabin crew and regularly checks the quality of water used in coffee preparation. “We take various measures, including sanitizing water tanks, transport equipment, and supply lines,” the representative added.
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