Bringing the ambience of an Italian cafe to new heights, Cathay Pacific is serving Illy’s coffee to its premium passengers beginning this month. The Hong Kong flag carrier has teamed up with the Italian coffee roasting company to gradually introduce espresso, café lattes, and cappuccinos to first- and business-class passengers in addition to the freshly brewed Illy coffee that is already being served. Because high altitudes reduce senses of smell and taste, Cathay’s catering team has worked extensively with Illy to maintain the integrity of their product. Medium- and dark-roasted coffee beans have been selected to serve on board since the darker roasts and heavier bodies make the beans’ aromas much more pronounced, and unique coffee filter “pillows” have been designed specifically for inflight use, utilizing a special material and size to allow for optimal water penetration during the brewing process.

For more information, visit Cathay Pacific.