Flight Coffee

What Flight Coffee does

Flight Coffee Limited is a New Zealand specialty coffee roaster founded in 2009 by Richard Corney, Matt Graylee, and Nick Clark, headquartered in Wellington with roasting operations, a wholesale arm, and The Hangar flagship café. The company operates across the full coffee value chain: it owns El Fénix, an 8-hectare farm in Quindío, Colombia, through its affiliated Raw Material green-bean company; roasts on a 70kg Loring machine installed in 2020; distributes direct to consumers through flightcoffee.co.nz and to over 100 wholesale accounts across Aotearoa New Zealand; and places canned cold brew and frappes in Z Energy stations and supermarkets nationwide.

Its product portfolio centres on roasted coffee across five signature blends (Bomber, Thunderbolt, B2, Memphis, Big Cozy), single origins, decaf, specialty instant (including a Gesha variant from Hartman Estate, Panama), Nespresso-compatible pods, canned cold-brew and oat-milk RTD coffees, and drip bags. Adjacent categories include brewing equipment via a Breville partnership, pantry items (Bon Accord hot chocolate, Morning Made matcha), and branded merchandise. A subscription programme with Pay-As-You-Go and Prepaid tiers (up to 12 months, up to 20% savings) provides recurring revenue alongside one-off e-commerce orders with free shipping above NZD 35 urban and NZD 50 rural.

The company generates revenue across direct e-commerce, wholesale supply to hospitality businesses, café operations at The Hangar, and packaged retail distribution. It is B Corp certified (score 90.3 vs sector average 76) and Toitū Net Carbon Zero certified, with strategic partners including Veneziano Coffee Roasters (Melbourne), Breville, Life Flight, and the Hurricanes rugby franchise. International DTC shipping covers ten countries across APAC, North America, and Europe, while US shipments remain temporarily suspended due to customs compliance.

Name

Flight Coffee

Legal name

Flight Coffee Ltd

Website

https://flightcoffee.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flight Coffee is a Wellington-based specialty coffee roaster founded in 2009, supplying roasted beans, instant, pods, and canned beverages via DTC e-commerce, wholesale to 100+ NZ cafés, Z Energy retail distribution, and international shipping to ten countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Roasting

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Roasting & Grinding (AFAFADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean) (CRADAHAG), Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE), Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave) (THAFADAA), Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAGAD)

Keywords

• Specialty coffee roasting
• Coffee bean subscriptions
• Wholesale coffee supply
• Canned cold brew coffee
• Barista training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Consumer direct purchases through flightcoffee.co.nz including coffee beans, pods, instant coffee, canned cold brew, equipment, and merchandise with subscription options offering 10-20% savings.
2. Wholesale Supply: B2B supply to cafes, restaurants, offices across NZ. Regional sales team manages accounts with clear communication, responsiveness, and adaptation to industry changes. Coffee pit crew approach for hospo businesses.
3. Café Operations: The Hangar flagship café in Wellington operating 7 days from 7am-2pm, offering craft espresso drinks and brunch dishes. Community events including coffee cuppings and latte art classes.
4. Equipment Partnerships: Partnership with Breville for espresso machine and coffee subscription bundles, bringing equipment and coffee deals to consumers.
5. Retail Distribution: Products sold through Z stations nationwide (canned cold brew/frappes), supermarkets including Deep South Caramel Frappe Ice Cream, and liquor stores for Besos Espresso Margarita.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Flight Coffee roasts specialty coffee beans in Wellington, New Zealand, distributing them via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and subscriptions, wholesale supply to cafes and offices, and a flagship cafe. Its portfolio includes signature blends, single origins, Nespresso-compatible pods, specialty instant coffee, canned cold brew beverages, drip bags, and complementary brewing equipment and merchandise. The business operates El Fenix coffee farm in Colombia and sister green-bean trading company Raw Material to control its supply chain and pay producers fixed prices.

Product overview

Flight Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery founded in 2009 in New Zealand, operating as both a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business and wholesale supplier. The product portfolio centers on roasted coffee beans across multiple formats: whole bean/ground coffee in five core blends (Bomber, Thunderbolt, B2, Memphis, Big Cozy), single origins, decaf, specialty instant coffee, Nespresso-compatible pods, canned cold brew beverages, and drip bags. Subscription options provide flexible recurring delivery with pay-as-you-go and prepaid plans. The company also offers complementary categories including equipment (machines, manual brewing, grinders), merchandise, and pantry items. Their flagship café, The Hangar in Wellington, serves as a roastery and training facility, while wholesale operations supply over 100 cafes and businesses across New Zealand. The company maintains a B2C e-commerce platform (Shopify-hosted) alongside B2B wholesale channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bomber Blend (Roasted Coffee Beans) The original flagship Flight Coffee blend since 2009, featuring orange, caramel, and cacao nib notes; an all-rounder designed for both espresso and filter brewing. Targeted at home coffee enthusiasts and wholesale café partners.
• Thunderbolt Blend (Roasted Coffee Beans) Bold blend designed for deep, strong coffee lovers with peanut slab, fig jam, and brown sugar flavour notes. Targeted at specialty coffee drinkers who prefer high-intensity espresso and filter profiles.
• B2 Blend (Milk Blend) Milk-focused blend using the same origins as Bomber but roasted longer for lower acidity and intensified sweetness, with vanilla, red cherry, and chocolate notes. Targeted at flat white, latte, and cappuccino drinkers.
• Memphis Blend (Roasted Coffee Beans) The strongest Flight Coffee blend, with hazelnut praline, caramel, and milk chocolate notes; named after the Memphis Belle Coffee House. Targeted at drinkers who want a heavy, sweet espresso profile.
• Big Cozy Blend (Roasted Coffee Beans) Cult-favourite rich, chocolatey blend designed for cold mornings with chocolate, sultana, and malt biscuit notes. Targeted at home specialty coffee drinkers.
• Hurricanes Blend (Roasted Coffee Beans) Bold and strong blend created in partnership with the Hurricanes rugby team, featuring chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut notes. Targeted at rugby fans and broader specialty coffee drinkers.
• Single Origin Coffees Fresh, seasonal single-origin coffees sourced from producer partners, roasted for both espresso and filter brewing methods. Targeted at specialty coffee enthusiasts wanting origin-specific flavour profiles.
• Decaf Coffee Decaffeinated coffee options including Decaf Mexico, providing specialty-grade caffeine-free coffee. Targeted at specialty coffee drinkers who avoid caffeine.
• Specialty Coffee Pods (Nespresso-compatible) Recyclable Nespresso-compatible single-serve pods containing Flight Coffee blends for convenient at-home brewing. Targeted at home consumers with Nespresso machines.
• Specialty Instant Coffee Specialty instant coffee range including Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Bomber with Lion's Mane, and standard Bomber varieties. Targeted at convenience-seeking specialty coffee drinkers, including travel and office use.
• Canned Cold Brew Coffee Ready-to-drink canned cold brew beverages including Sparkling Cold Brew, Oat Milk Flat White, Iced Latte, Mint Mocha, Oat Milk Strawberry Mocha, Oat Milk Chai Latte, and Oat Milk Matcha Latte, distributed via Z Energy stations and supermarkets nationwide. Targeted at on-the-go consumers.
• Coffee Drip Bags Coffee drip bags for convenient on-the-go brewing, allowing customers to make Flight Coffee without equipment. Targeted at travellers, campers, and office workers.
• Coffee Subscriptions (Pay As You Go and Prepaid) Subscription coffee delivery service with two plans: Pay As You Go (no contract, flexible, up to 20% savings) and Prepaid (fixed period of 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, up to 20% savings, fortnightly shipments). Targeted at home specialty coffee drinkers seeking automated delivery and savings.
• Wholesale Coffee Supply B2B coffee supply to cafés, offices, and restaurants across Aotearoa New Zealand with dedicated regional sales managers, account managers, coffee specialists, barista training, and equipment support. Targeted at hospitality operators.
• The Hangar Café (Wellington Flagship) Wellington flagship café at 119 Dixon Street combining a working roastery, full kitchen, and front-of-house service for craft espresso drinks and brunch dishes. Hosts community events including coffee cuppings and latte art classes. Targeted at Wellington consumers and visitors.
• Coffee Equipment and Accessories Range of brewing equipment including espresso machines (via Breville partnership), manual brewing gear (Aeropress, Chemex, Hario), grinders, cups, flasks, and accessories. Targeted at home brewing consumers and wholesale customers.
• Machine & Subscription Bundles (with Breville) Hybrid bundles offering espresso machines paired with coffee subscription deals through the Breville partnership, with machines shipped direct from Breville in 5-7 business days. Not available for international shipping.
• Branded Merchandise (Apparel, Gifts, Gift Cards) Branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, caps), accessories (tote bags, notebooks, pens), gift packs, gift subscriptions, gift cards, and Mother's Day gift bundles. Targeted at consumers and gift buyers.
• Pantry Products (Chocolate and Matcha) Pantry items including Bon Accord hot chocolate and Morning Made matcha. Targeted at consumers building out a specialty home beverage pantry.

Quantifiable outcome

• B Corp score of 90.3 (vs sector average 76)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Veneziano Coffee RoasterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Australian specialty coffee roaster partnered with Flight Coffee in 2019 after years of relationship since 2012. Work together to map goals, share insights and learnings from their years of experience. Veneziano helps Flight Coffee carry out their vision to make great coffee simple for all of NZ.
• Raw MaterialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen bean farming, exporting, importing, and consulting company founded by Matt Graylee (co-founder). Provides stable pricing for coffee producers and improved income equality along the value-chain. Owns El Fénix 8ha farm in Colombia.
• Future PostminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZ company that takes soft plastics from coffee bags and recycles them into fence posts that last 50+ years. Used in vineyards, farms, and dairy operations across NZ. Fully recyclable product.
• Save BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKiwi innovators who take used coffee bags and turn them into durable construction boards for building projects. Circular economy solution keeping soft plastics from landfill.
• BrevillecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to bring espresso machine and coffee subscription deals to consumers. Machine & Subscription Bundles offered through flightcoffee.co.nz. Machines shipped direct from Breville.
• Besos (Chef Luis Cabrera)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Mexican-born chef Luis Cabrera to create the Bomber Espresso Margarita using award-winning Bomber Blend. Available at Super Liquor and Liquorland stores nationwide.
• Motueke CreameryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create Caramel Frappe ice cream that's become a freezer staple in NZ supermarkets.
• Deep SouthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIce cream maker producing Flight Coffee Caramel Frappe Ice Cream available in supermarkets around NZ.
• Honest RumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to run series of Markets at Auckland site (222) and release Flight Coffee and Honest Coffee Liqueur.
• Life FlightminorOthersNZ rescue helicopter and air ambulance service partnership. Part of B Corp journey - supporting an organisation that literally saves lives. Contribution from every roast, wholesale order, and Flight Coffee brew poured.
• HurricanescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial coffee partner of Hurricanes rugby team (2025). Hurricanes Blend created to show support for the team. Bold and strong coffee matching team character.
• RUN4 AucklandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRunning community partnership for all fitness levels. Weekly Sunday runs from Victoria Park with post-run coffee at Flight Coffee Auckland studio.
• PalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration pop-up event that had people queuing around the block.
• Hartman Estate (Panama)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned coffee farm collaboration in 2021 to craft world's first (or one of) specialty instant coffees using Gesha variety.
• New Ground ManufacturingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Hartman Estate and New Ground Manufacturing for specialty instant coffee project using Gesha variety.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Allpress Coffee: NZ-founded specialty roaster with wholesale to cafes, multiple espresso bars, and full DTC offering; closest direct competitor in NZ specialty coffee with similar product breadth and international expansion.
• Kokako Organic Coffee: NZ specialty organic coffee roaster with Auckland café, wholesale, and DTC; comparable smaller-scale direct peer with sustainability-led positioning similar to Flight's B Corp profile.
• Veneziano Coffee Roasters: Melbourne specialty roaster and Flight Coffee's strategic partner; directly comparable roastery-cafe operation with shared collaboration since 2019 and similar vertically integrated specialties.
• Coffee Supreme: NZ specialty coffee roaster with wholesale, café (like Flight's Hangar), and own farms in Colombia; very comparable vertically integrated model serving the same NZ wholesale and DTC customer base.
• Campos Coffee: Australian specialty roaster with DTC, wholesale, and flagship cafes in Sydney/Melbourne; comparable premium specialty positioning serving the trans-Tasman market Flight also targets.
• St Ali Coffee Roasters: Melbourne-based specialty roaster with cafe operations, DTC, and wholesale across Asia-Pacific; comparable premium specialty positioning targeting similar consumers.
• Supreme Coffee: Long-established NZ specialty coffee roaster serving wholesale and DTC channels across New Zealand; comparable mid-sized scale and product mix focused on roasted beans and blends.
• Atomic Coffee Roasters: Wellington-based specialty roaster and cafe operator (Rocket Espresso franchise); smaller-scale direct peer in same NZ city with shared café-and-wholesale model.

Others

• Cafés de Córdoba: Latin American specialty coffee producer/exporter; relevant as a comparable farm-owned, vertically integrated operator that competes for the same origin-direct specialty positioning Flight cultivates.

Broad incumbents

• Lavazza: Italian global coffee incumbent with roasting operations across multiple continents; broad incumbent for context on what scaled coffee manufacturing and distribution looks like versus Flight's specialty focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/flightcoffee
• TikToktiktok.com/@flightcoffee
• Xx.com/flightcoffee
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlightCoffee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flight-coffee-limited

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flight Coffee