THE JET BEAN STORY
FROM GROUNDED TO GROUND BEANS - HOW A PILOT’S DETOUR TURNED INTO A MISSION TO FIX AVIATION COFFEE.
When the world shut down in 2020, thousands of pilots were grounded overnight. One of them was our founder, Nathan Raab.
Flying had been his life. But when the pandemic hit and redundancy followed, Nathan found himself without a flight plan. He took a temporary job packing beans at a small local roastery - just something to fill the time and pay the bills.
But something about coffee stuck!
The smell of fresh roast. The rhythm of the craft. The community that comes together with coffee. What started as a stopgap turned into a genuine passion - not just for flavour, but for the connection it brought.
When Nathan returned to the skies, he couldn’t ignore the same thought every time the drinks entered the cockpit: "Why is coffee in aviation still so bad?"
Jet Bean Coffee was born from that frustration - and a belief that aviators and passengers alike deserve better.
We started roasting exceptional single origin coffee, tailored for people who care about quality - whether they’re at 35,000 feet or brewing in their kitchen. And we didn’t stop there.
We converted a Cessna Citation Mustang into a fully operational jet café, serving our beans directly from the fuselage - a nod to where this journey began.
But Jet Bean isn’t just about serving coffee. It’s about building a community of pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and passengers who all share a love of flying and flavour. We believe great coffee sparks conversations, creates connections, and brings people together - on the ramp, in the terminal, or at home.
That’s why we also launched blends inspired by iconic aircraft - from the majesty of the Jumbo Jet to the stealthy power of the Blackbird. We match flavour profiles to flying legends, celebrating the spirit of aviation in every cup.
Whether you're a pilot, crew, an aviation enthusiast, or someone who just loves a smooth Brazilian roast - we’ve got a blend with your name on it.
JOIN OUR AVIATION COFFEE COMMUNITY
We’re building something special - a space for people who live and breathe aviation, and love a great brew. From new product drops to coffee gear tips, behind-the-scenes updates, and insider giveaways, our WhatsApp Community is where Jet Bean takes off.
meet the jet bean team
Nathan Raab
Our founder and the creative force behind Jet Bean – Nathan is a commercial pilot turned entrepreneur with a passion for coffee and aviation. He leads the brand’s vision, blending his love of flight with a growing presence as a content creator in both worlds. Whether he’s roasting beans, filming reels, or shaping the next idea, Nathan keeps Jet Bean flying with purpose and personality.
Chris Louch
Business-minded and coffee-obsessed, Chris brings engineering precision to Jet Bean’s strategy, growth, and partnerships. He turns ideas into action - whether it’s launching new products, refining the customer journey, or building meaningful collaborations. With a La Marzocco at home and a love for aviation, Chris keeps Jet Bean commercially sharp and always climbing.
Tia Louch
With a background as a barista and now flying as cabin crew, Tia bridges the gap between great coffee and the people who enjoy it. She brings frontline insight into what travellers, crew, and coffee lovers really want. From perfecting brews to helping shape customer experience, Tia ensures Jet Bean stays warm, welcoming, and always grounded in what matters most - our community.
Featured post
The Story Continues: How We Got Our Private Jet
Before it became Jet Bean’s flagship café, F‑GRET was a working private jet flying across Europe. With a rich service history, multiple registrations, and a near-miss with being scrapped, this...