http://www.aircourieruk.com/, https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Air Courier International, 12/13 Littleton House, Littleton Road, London (2026)

03/06/2026

What A Driver Sees | Category 13
Hotel Coffee ☕️
Episode 3 | The Peninsula Boutique & Café
The Peninsula Hotel, Belgravia

Positioned beside Hyde Park Corner, The Peninsula is an impressive building that marries traditional British aesthetic with Asian-inspired hospitality. Its cafe offering follows the same effortless feel.

The Vibe
Tucked just off the main lobby, The Boutique & Café feels like a discreet Parisian concept store. Marble counters, soft neutral tones, dark timber shelving and beautiful displays create a space that feels luxurious. Move between espresso and pâtisserie, whilst browsing Peninsula chocolates, teas, and beautifully packaged gifts. Its designed to make you want to stay for hours.

Who It’s Good For
Solo coffee drinkers escaping the pace of Knightsbridge, couples spending slow mornings in London, or anyone who enjoys discovering spaces that feel hidden. It’s ideal for people who love beautifully designed cafés, thoughtful details, and the feeling of finding somewhere not everybody knows about. It’s also perfect for anyone that has travelled from affar, as there is a plethora of gifts to take home.

The Drinks
Coffee here is smooth, balanced and beautifully presented, with all the classics available including hot chocolate & Matcha. They have their own brand of tea, and have offerings such as Lychee, Rose, Darjeeling and all the classics including herbal offerings. They also offer a huge array of cold pressed juices, too. If you’re feeling particularly bougie, opt for a glass of Peninsula Champagne.

The Food
Starting at 6:30am, the cafe offers elevated baps (one with egg and confit garlic butter), and some healthier options. The All Day menu has global influences; Egg Sando, Tuscan Sandwich, Lasagne & Mango Pudding all featured. At the Counter, headed up by Executive Pastry Chef Alexis Jiyoung Lee, there is a huge selection, with classics and lesser known picks. Shokupan with custard cream or Hazelnut Pain Suisse in the Viennoiserie section, and Black Sesame St. Honore or Yuzu Hazelnut Meringue Tart are a few Cake options. Don't miss the Chocolate BonBon menu, Crepe Trolley, or in the summer the cute ice-cream cart. ☕️

02/06/2026

May 18th - May 24th was Dementia Action Week, and we thought it would be a great time to announce our new charity.

Alzheimer's Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. They give vital support to those who need it, fund groundbreaking research, and campaign to improve experiences. Their services have been used over 6 million times to access vital support and information and they have helped so many people across the UK.

1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK, and by 2040, it is estimated that 1.4 million people will live with the disease. By donating, fundraising, volunteering and more, we are funding research, daily support for those with dementia or those who care for loved ones with dementia, and influence change by holding decision-makers to account.

We will be fundraising in various ways over the next 12 months to do our bit against this terrible disease. Keep an eye out on our socials to find out how you can help too! Almost everyone has been affected by it in some way, or knows someone that has.

01/06/2026

Pinch Punch First of the Month!
We have set out the Global Public Holidays again for June, check out the busy days in the post above, and for the full list, click the link below.
https://www.aircourieruk.com/global-public-holidays-that-will-affect-shipping-in-june/

28/05/2026

What A Driver Sees | Category 13
Hotel Coffee ☕️
Episode 2 | Nicolas Rouzaud, The Connaught
Mayfair

The Connaught stands on Carlos Place; understated, but undoubtedly one of the best in the world and the cafe offering is no different. Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught's defines a blend of the classic and the contemporary.

The Vibe
The Patisserie has its own entrance just off Mount Street. The space was designed by Ab Rogers and interior features walls of soft dusty pink, walnut wood, and polished mirrors, creating somewhere that belongs in Paris. The patisserie also offers alfresco seating, ideal for enjoying morning coffee and pastries.

Who It's Good For
For anyone with a busy life; who wants to escape London without travelling. It is for those seeking a unique and visually stunning pastry experience. The combination of exquisite pastries, high-quality coffee, and attentive service makes it a worthwhile destination for dessert lovers looking for a special treat.

The Drinks
The coffee is sourced from Extract coffee in Bristol; their coffee is Arabica; light and smooth with minimal bitterness. Not only are their partners chosen for quality, but for fair working conditions for farmers. The coffee menu includes all the usuals, but over on the cold drink section we suggest trying one of their Iced Teas. Their tea menu is exquisite, and even features seasonal options; currently Rhubarb with a touch of sweet cream. There's also home made hot chocolate which is perfection.

The Food
Nicolas’ pastries include exclusive creations inspired by the culture of each destination including Salmon Gravlax Eclair (Sweden) & Roast Veal Focaccia (Italy), alongside classics such as the raspberry tart or the Paris-Brest. The 'Connaughty Hound' has become somewhat of a legend, a chocolate hazelnut cake reimagined as a piece of art. However, his signature style is fruit tarts using whole fresh and seasonal fruits; nature and the changing seasons are incredibly important Nicolas, so this should definitely be on the list. He celebrates the best fruit in season every month by unveiling a new creation - a reason to return.

26/05/2026

We hope everyone had a wonderful bank holiday weekend. Back to normal services today ✈️

21/05/2026

What A Driver Sees | Category 13
Hotel Coffee ☕️

Episode 1 | Neighbours, 1 Hotel Mayfair
3 Berkeley Street, Mayfair

We are in and out of London hotels every day. Front entrances, service lifts, back corridors most guests never see. And somewhere between the drop-off and the next job, we started noticing which ones were worth a stop. This is that series.

The Vibe
The whole 1 Hotel brand is built around sustainability and this comes through to Neighbours, too. The space is very peaceful, bringing the outside in, and is filled with natural wood and greenery. On Thursday evenings it becomes a wine bar with live acoustic music, which is a nice detail even if that is not what this series is about.

Who It's Good For
Someone who wants Mayfair without the formality. Neighbours sits just off Berkeley Street, steps from Green Park, and is great when you don't have a lot of time, but with the time you do have, to spend it in a beautiful setting. Dogs are welcome all day too, which tells you something about the tone of the place.

What To Order
The menu is split into sections; 'Feel Good', 'Camellia's Tea Selection', and 'Workshop Coffee'. All the coffee & tea is fair-trade, and the tea is also organic, and brings together the best of traditional and wellness concepts. The pressed juices in the 'feel good' section are wild and wonderful, with ingredients such as chana mushroom, sea buckthorn, ginseng and gotu kola (alongside some more familiar components. The tea selection includes classics such as green tea, but also some more unusual items, such as Lapsang Soughing. Workshop coffee is a fantastic brand, and the menu has everything you could want.

The Food
Organic, local, grab-and-go. The menu is split into sweet, savoury and snacks (popcorn et al) - with the savoury including hot items as well. These change often, but currently Banana Bread and the Ham & Cheese croissant are real highlights.

19/05/2026

Yesterday marked the beginning of Dementia Action Week, and we thought it would be a great time to announce our new charity.

Alzheimer's Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. They give vital support to those who need it, fund groundbreaking research, and campaign to improve experiences. Their services have been used over 6 million times to access vital support and information and they have helped so many people across the UK.

1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK, and by 2040, it is estimated that 1.4 million people will live with the disease. By donating, fundraising, volunteering and more, we are funding research, daily support for those with dementia or those who care for loved ones with dementia, and influence change by holding decision-makers to account.

We will be fundraising in various ways over the next 12 months to do our bit against this terrible disease. Keep an eye out on our socials to find out how you can help too! Almost everyone has been affected by it in some way, or knows someone that has.

You can find out more about the charity via the link in our bio.

12/05/2026

Global National Holidays in MAY 🌞
These dates may cause delays, so please get in touch if you have any questions.
(NH = National Holiday)

-> 13th: Thailand

-> 14th: ASCENSION DAY
A major disruption across Europe and beyond.

- Europe: France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco
- Latin America / Caribbean: Haiti, Dutch & French Caribbean including Saint Martin, Saint Barts, Martinique
- Africa: Francophone & Botswana, Madagascar, Lesotho, Namibia
- Asia-Pacific: Indonesia, Venuatu, Wallis & Futuna, French Polynesia
- NH: Spain (MADRID ONLY), Paraguay, Liberia, Cambodia

-> 15th: Indonesia, Fiji

-> 18th: Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Venezuela

-> 19th: Turkey

-> 21st: Chile, Montenegro, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

-> 22nd: Martinique, Israel, Montenegro

-> 23rd: Jamaica

-> 25th: INTERNATIONAL
A major disruption in the UK and Globally.

- SPRING BANK HOLIDAY: United Kingdom
- MEMORIAL DAY: USA,
- LABOUR DAY: Jamaica
- Whit Monday
- Caribbean
- Europe: Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Hungary, parts of Switzerland
- NH: Turkey, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Jordan, Lebanon, Argentina, Bulgaria

-> EID / ARAFAT
26th-31st May: Many Middle Eastern, Muslim-majority, and nations with significant Muslim minorities are closed between the 26th and 31st of May, expect delays.

-> 27th: Singapore, Malaysia

-> 29th: Fiji, Saint Martin, Azerbaijan, Armenia

Any questions, please let us know (please be aware this may not be a FULL list of all dates and/or participating countries)
[email protected] | 020 3790 8786

08/05/2026

Episode 3A: Crisis & Adaptation

DARCY: Sorry it’s taken ages.
DARREN: Time keeping isn’t your strong point!
DARCY: Considering the current political landscape, we could talk about how you have navigated major challenges. I'll split this one into two episodes as there's a lot to cover.
Firstly, what happened to the business when the 2008 financial crash hit?

DARREN: 2008 was a tough year for many businesses. Our largest client was a Dutch bank bought by a Scottish bank, who phased us out for their own supplier (the buying bank was then saved by a huge cash injection from the taxpayer). Our second biggest client was Bear, Stearns..
JAINE: ..some may remember why that was a bad thing!
DARREN: We effectively lost over 50% of our revenue in a very short time, and there were serious concerns over getting paid by our remaining customers!

DARCY: That’s tough. How did you keep going?

JAINE: We avoided redundancies, but staff who left weren't replaced, and we did deals with our landlords/suppliers. We threw our energy into replacing the revenue in non-financial industries, primarily the retail sector, building client relationships and expanding our offerings to meet their needs. It was an incredibly stressful time; I'm not sure we'd get through it now without the youthful energy we had back then!

DARCY: You’re not THAT old.
JAINE: Cheers!
DARCY: What about the time 'that shall not be named?'
DARREN: Voldemort?
DARCY: Covid! What was the first week of lockdown like?

JAINE: Lonely! Our entire staff were furloughed except Darren who ran the company alone, making bookings in the morning and then driving around the ghost-town capital, collecting and delivering in his car. Whilst hotels were shut, our corporate clients were busy getting work from home equipment to their staff, so we primarily did deliveries such as these.
DARREN: I remember being able to go anywhere in London traffic free, but having to be strategic about comfort breaks as everything was shut!

JAINE: Do they need to know about your toilet stops?
DARCY: Its probably an unnecessary detail but I'll keep it in...the people want the people want.

Part 2 Next Week ✈️

06/05/2026

New 'What a Driver Sees' starts next week ☕️
We're in hotels constantly and we've noticed something. Some hotels do a very good coffee and some do not.
So we're reviewing them.

This time we'll have our own rating categories within the reviews, and for who & when the coffee stop might be the top choice.
First one lands next Wednesday - if you've got any in mind, let us know in the comments 🚐

Air Courier International

03/06/2026

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01/06/2026

28/05/2026

26/05/2026

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