Flying can be uncomfortable for many people. In fact, estimates show that up to 40% of US adults fear flying, and by 2025 in March the report shows that 65% of passengers are more worried about air travel due to this year’s in-flight incidents.
But it’s not just about the fear of flying, but rather the fear of crashing. There are many other factors that can make air travel uncomfortable for passengers.
I, for one, love to travel and love to fly, but on my last flight I had an undetected sinus infection that made the flight very uncomfortable and left me feeling sick for days afterwards. Now I’m not so excited about the idea of taking another flight.
Airlines know this. They also know that packing requirements, long lines, security checks, crowds and delays make people nervous and frustrated. That is why most airlines are constantly coming up with innovative ways to make their services unique so that passengers feel comfortable during flights.
Travelers’ expectations are constantly rising. You can now increasingly expect great WiFi service at 30,000 feet, in addition to impressive food and beverage offerings.
Competition in the aviation industry is fierce, and major carriers are working hard to provide superior service, greater comfort and a sense of luxury.
A recent example is American Airlines, one of the four largest US airlines, which has just significantly revamped its beverage offering.
American Airlines will serve the famous Lavazza coffee both in-flight and in the cabins.
October 16 American Airlines has announced that it has teamed up with Lavazza coffee, the world-renowned Italian brand known for its premium blends.
From 2026 American Airlines will serve Lavazza in all in-flight cabins and American Flagship and Admirals Club lounges from the start of the year. It’s the first time a carrier will offer a consistent coffee experience both on the ground and in the air, writes Ben Schlappig at One Mile at a Time.
“At American, we focus on every aspect of the customer experience, and a quality cup of coffee is an important part of that journey. We’re proud to partner with this iconic brand to offer our customers a rich and satisfying coffee experience, whether they’re in the air or relaxing in our lounges,” said American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden.
“Lavazza”, which in 1895 Founded in Turin by Luigi Lavazza, it is a family-owned brand with a history of producing exceptional coffee for over a century. It started as a small grocery store operation.
For the past 130 years, Lavazza has been at the forefront of coffee excellence; its premium blends are served in the best restaurants and hotels around the world.
While some travelers avoid drinking coffee while flying to avoid possible bloating or trips to the small bathroom, coffee remains an important part of airline beverage offerings.
According to the National Coffee Association report from 2004 to 2024. the number of American adults who drank coffee in the past day increased by 37 percent. and reached its highest level in more than 20 years.
Related: United Airlines Adds Game-Changing Perks To Attract Customers
The average American coffee drinker consumes 3.1 cups of coffee every day.
Two thirds of Americans drink coffee every day, which is more than the share of people who drink tap water.
In America, around 517 million cups of coffee are drunk daily.
Starbucks is the best coffee chain in America.
Source:Corner coffee shop
Despite its popularity, coffee is not the most commonly consumed beverage on flights. According to Thrillist, the most commonly ordered drinks on flights are Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
However, offering first-class in-flight coffee is an important part of the overall experience, and its impact should not be overlooked. In a recent interview with Reuters, Air Canada’s vice president of loyalty and products Scott O’Leary said:
“Food and beverage tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction, more so than any other feature of our products and services.
More airlines:
O’Leary spoke after a recent Air Canada upgrade: free beer and wine for all passengers.
Other major carriers already serve well-known coffee brands. For example, Delta Air Lines offers Starbucks coffee and United Airlines offers Illy coffee.
Although there have been several mergers in the airline industry over the past couple of years, the space remains highly competitive. This is one of the reasons why carriers are constantly coming up with new creative improvements.
They bet on customer loyalty with a superior experience.
Bernstein analyst David Vernon said that while this “goes somewhat against the consolidation narrative”, he said “airline competition is alive and well”.
American Airlines has recently made some major changes and upgrades.
September the carrier partnered with Porter Airlines on a new codeshare relationship, giving passengers more travel options between the United States and Canada.
From September 29 travelers can book codeshare flights on aa.com or the American mobile app, as well as onflyporter.com. As part of the partnership, American will place its code on select Porter flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
AAdvantage members earn both AAdvantage miles and loyalty points when they book a codeshare flight operated by Porter.
American Airlines also announced a prestigious champagne partnership with Bollinger, an iconic family-owned brand both on the ground and in the air.
Most recently, the carrier made a controversial change to its boarding policy that sparked controversy. American Airlines has removed metal bag sizes from all boarding gates nationwide, which were used to check carry-on luggage within its size limits.
Some passengers believe that sizing is more objective than relying on agent discretion, making the change controversial.
Related: Delta Air Lines CEO says airline is giving passengers a better experience
This story was originally reported by TheStreet in 2025. on October 20, where it first appeared in the “Travel” section. Add TheStreet as a preferred source by clicking here.
