Alaska has created a custom blend with Portland-based roaster Stumptown to make a coffee that’s immune from the altitude-changing effects that airborne-served coffee typically creates, including tasting bitter and weak. The custom coffee, a first for a major airline, will exclusively be served on every Alaska flight, including its regional carrier Horizon Air, by December 1. Taste and smell are inextricably combined and people’s sense of smell is significantly altered in the sky. Alaska even taste-tested the blend with creamer and Biscoff cookies to “ensure the best combination.”However, the freshly brewed partnership with Stumptown means that Alaska is ending its decade-long partnership with fellow Seattle-based coffee company, Starbucks. Other regional companies served on Alaska include Tillamook cheeses, Salt & Straw ice cream and Straightaway canned cocktails.

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Persons: Stumptown, Stumptown’s, punchier, creamer, ” Edward Russell, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Alaska Airlines, Horizon, CNN, Seattle, Starbucks, Delta Air Lines, Airline Locations: New York, Alaska, Portland, Seattle, Pacific, Tillamook