American Airlines makes key beverage change  

Flying can be uncomfortable for many people. In fact, estimates suggest that up to 40% of U.S. adults have some fear of flying, and a report from March 2025 showcases that this year’s flying incidents have made 65% of passengers more nervous about air travel. 

But it’s not just about the fear of flying, or more precisely, the fear of crashing. There are many other factors that can make air travel uncomfortable for passengers.

I, for example, love traveling and love flying, but during my last flight, I had an undetected sinus infection, which resulted in a very uncomfortable flight and feeling unwell for several days after. Now, I am not so happy 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’s why the majority of airlines are constantly coming up with innovative ways to make their service exceptional so that passengers feel comfortable during the flights. 

Travelers' expectations are constantly growing. Now, it is becoming increasingly common to expect great WiFi service at 30,000 feet in the air, in addition to spectacular food and beverage offerings. 

The competition in the aviation industry is aggressive, and major carriers are working hard to deliver superior service, improved convenience, and a touch of luxury.

The latest example is American Airlines, one of the four biggest U.S. airlines, which just made a huge upgrade to its beverage offerings. 

American Airlines to serve Lavazza coffee on flights and in lounges

American Airlines shared on October 16 that it has teamed up with Lavazza coffee, a globally recognized Italian brand known for its premium blends. 

Starting in early 2026, American Airlines will serve Lavazza across all cabins in flight and at American Flagship and Admirals Club lounges. This is the first time the carrier will offer a consistent coffee experience both on the ground and in the air, writes Ben Schlappig for One Mile at a Time. 

“At American, we’re focused on looking at every aspect of the customer experience, and a quality cup of coffee is an important part of that journey. We're proud to team up with this iconic brand to bring a rich, satisfying coffee experience to our customers — whether they're in the air or relaxing in our lounges,”  stated American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. 

Lavazza, founded in 1895 in Turin by Luigi Lavazza, is a family-owned brand with a history of crafting exceptional coffee for over a century. It began as a small grocery-store operation.

Over the last 130 years, Lavazza has been at the forefront of coffee craftsmanship; its premium blends are served in top restaurants and hotels around the world. 

Food and beverages are key to airline customer satisfaction 

While some travelers avoid drinking coffee while flying to avoid potential bloating or going to the tiny bathroom, coffee remains an important part of airlines’ beverage offerings. 

After all, from 2004 to 2024, the number of American adults who have had coffee in the past day increased by 37%, reaching the highest level in more than 20 years, according to a report by the National Coffee Association. 

Related: United Airlines adds game-changing perk to win over customers

Coffee consumption in the U.S.:

• An average American coffee drinker consumes 3.1 cups of coffee daily. 
• Two-thirds of Americans drink coffee every day, which is more than the proportion who drink tap water.
• In America, around 517 million cups of coffee are consumed daily. 
• Starbucks is the top coffee chain in America.

Source:Corner Coffee Store

Despite coffee’s popularity, it is not the most commonly consumed beverage on flights. According to Thrillist, most commonly ordered drinks on flights are Coca-Cola and Pepsi. 

Still, offering first-class coffee on flights is an important part of the overall experience, and its impact shouldn't be overlooked. In a recent interview with Reuters, Air Canada VP of Loyalty and Product Scott O’Leary said: 

“Food and beverage just tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction, more than any other attribute of our products and services.” 

More Airlines:

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• A major airline is going to make you pay to recline your seat

O’Leary had spoken following Air Canada’s recent upgrade: adding free beer and wine for all passengers. 

Other large carriers are already serving famous coffee brands. For example, Delta Air Lines offers Starbucks coffee, while United Airlines serves Illy coffee. 

American Airlines’ recent moves and developments 

Even though the last couple of years have seen several mergers in the airline industry, the space remains highly competitive. This is one reason carriers continually offer new, creative enhancements. 

They are betting on customer loyalty through premium experience. 

Bernstein analyst David Vernon said that although it is “slightly counterintuitive to the consolidation narrative,” he said, “airline competition is alive and well.”

American Airlines recently made several important changes and upgrades. 

In September, the carrier partnered with Porter Airlines on a new codeshare relationship, providing passengers with more traveling options between the United States and Canada. 

Since September 29, travelers have been able to book codeshare itineraries for flights on aa.com or American’s mobile app, as well as onflyporter.com. Under the partnership, American will place its code on select flights run by Porter from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

AAadvantage members booking a codeshare flight operated by Porter earn both AAdvantage miles and loyalty points.

American Airlines also announced a prestigious Champagne partnership with Bollinger, the iconic family-owned brand, both on the ground and in the air.

More recently, the carrier made a controversial boarding policy change that sparked a debate. American Airlines removed metal bag sizers, which were used to check whether carry-on luggage fit its size limits, from all boarding gates across the country. 

Some passengers view the sizer as more objective than relying on an agent’s discretion, making the change controversial.

Related: Delta Air Lines CEO says airline gives passengers a better experience