Starbucks' Airport Strategy: Coffee Giant's Reach In Travel Hubs

Starbucks has become a staple for many travellers, with the coffee chain operating in numerous airports across the globe. The coffee giant first opened an airport location in 1991 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and has since expanded to over 78 airports in the US and Canada. With the end of an exclusivity agreement with HMSHost, a major airport concessionaire, Starbucks is now exploring new ways to offer drinks in airports, including movable coffee kiosks. Starbucks has also partnered with OTG, which operates in 10 North American airports, to introduce a variety of traditional and experiential locations.

Starbucks' first airport location opened in 1991 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Starbucks is a staple for many people, and it's no different for those travelling through airports. In 2025, Starbucks and HMSHost celebrated 25 years of partnership, with the first airport location opening in 1991 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac Airport, is located between Seattle and Tacoma, and was chosen for its advantage to passengers and transportation infrastructure. The airport was developed as a direct response to the World War II Pearl Harbor attack, and its construction was influenced by the booming years of the Boeing Airplane Company.

The first Starbucks airport location was a licensed store, and the result of a unique partnership between Starbucks and HMSHost, a global restaurateur. Since the opening of the first Starbucks airport store, the two companies have brought elements of the Starbucks Experience to travellers, with Starbucks licensed stores now in nearly 400 North American locations in roughly 80 airports and 100 motorway travel plazas.

The first Starbucks airport store has served over 40 million beverages in more than 20 years, and the partnership between Starbucks and HMSHost has allowed Starbucks to expand into all corners of the continent, with access to the brand becoming essential to the high service standards expected by modern travellers.

The success of the first Starbucks airport store at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has paved the way for the brand's presence in airports worldwide, with Starbucks boasting more than 21,500 stores in over 64 countries and territories.

There are 17 Starbucks stores at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Starbucks has been serving air travellers since opening its first airport location in 1991. In the years since, Starbucks has opened stores in 78 airports across the US and Canada. Chicago O'Hare International Airport boasts the most Starbucks stores of any airport in the US, with 14 locations across the airport, according to a 2022 report. However, one source states that there are 17 Starbucks stores at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

With so many Starbucks stores, you won't have to walk far to get your caffeine fix at O'Hare. The airport's terminals feature unique designs, like the vibrant ceiling cloud with puck lighting in Concourse C of Terminal 1, which is the country's largest airport Starbucks retail store.

While O'Hare has the most Starbucks locations, it isn't necessarily the easiest airport to get a cup of coffee. This is because the number of Starbucks locations needs to be considered alongside the number of annual passengers and the square mileage of the airport. When these factors are taken into account, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is considered the best airport for grabbing a coffee.

If you're a Starbucks fan, you may also want to check out Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which has the second-highest "Starbucks Score", or San Diego International Airport, which has the highest number of Starbucks locations per square mile of airport.

Starbucks has served over 40 million beverages in over 20 years at Seattle-Tacoma Airport

Starbucks has been serving beverages at airports since 1991, when it opened its first airport location at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In the more than 20 years since, Starbucks has served over 40 million beverages at this airport alone.

The partnership between Starbucks and HMSHost, which operates food and beverage locations at airports and other travel hubs, has been incredibly successful. Together, they have opened more than 280 stores at 78 airports across the US and Canada. This includes nearly 400 North American Starbucks locations in about 80 airports.

The availability of Starbucks at airports has become essential to the high service standards that modern travellers have come to expect. Starbucks has expanded its airport offerings to include Starbucks Evenings locations, which offer an enhanced menu of small plate food items and wine and beer, as well as Starbucks Reserve locations, which feature a special portfolio of Starbucks coffee.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Starbucks location is well-run and well-placed, with efficient service despite long lines. However, as with many airport locations, it can be crowded and prices are higher than at non-airport locations.

Starbucks has more than 280 stores at 78 airports in the US and Canada

Starbucks has expanded rapidly since opening its first airport location in 1991 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In the years since, Starbucks has opened more than 280 stores at 78 airports in the US and Canada. This expansion has coincided with broader changes in air travel, with additional security measures increasing the time passengers spend at airports, and airlines cutting back on complimentary food and services. In response, airports have sought to improve the experience of air travel by offering passengers more services and amenities, such as high-end shopping, salons, fine restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and art galleries.

Starbucks has sought to create unique store experiences in airport locations across the US, with designs that reflect the surrounding environment. For example, the Starbucks store at T51 in Los Angeles International Airport celebrates the craft of coffee-making, with a design inspired by the pattern of foamy milk at the top of a handcrafted Starbucks beverage. Meanwhile, the location at T61 offers a casual California vibe, taking its design cues from Los Angeles street art.

The partnership between Starbucks and HMSHost, which began in 1991, has been crucial to the expansion of Starbucks into airports. However, in 2020, the two companies decided to end their exclusivity agreement, allowing HMSHost to contract with different coffee companies and Starbucks to experiment with different ways of offering drinks. Despite this change, the two companies continue to work together, with HMSHost operating more than 400 Starbucks locations in North America.

Starbucks has also formed a partnership with OTG, which operates more than 350 eateries and retail concepts in 10 North American airports. This partnership will introduce a variety of traditional and experiential Starbucks locations, with a focus on new technology to better serve customers anywhere in the terminal. By moving throughout the airport depending on the time of day, Starbucks will be able to provide a personalised experience for customers at their gates upon departure or arrival.

Starbucks is the global leader in airport food and beverage

Starbucks' airport presence is the result of a long-time exclusive partnership with HMSHost, one of the major food and drink concessionaires at airports. This partnership has helped Starbucks gain valuable visibility and expand across the US and the world. However, the two companies recently ended their exclusive arrangement, allowing HMSHost to work with other coffee brands and Starbucks to experiment with different ways of serving customers.

Despite this change, Starbucks remains a leader in airport food and beverage. The company is known for its high-quality craft coffee beverages and its signature customer experience. To further enhance its airport presence, Starbucks has partnered with OTG, an airport hospitality group that operates in 10 North American airports. This partnership aims to introduce a variety of traditional and experiential locations and explore new technology to better serve customers anywhere in the terminal.

Starbucks' dominance in airport food and beverage is evident in its presence at some of the busiest airports. For example, Chicago O'Hare International Airport has 17 Starbucks stores, and Los Angeles International Airport, the sixth busiest airport in the world, has two distinctive Starbucks stores that cater to international travellers. Starbucks has also served over 40 million beverages in over 20 years at its Seattle-Tacoma Airport location.

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