At 30,000 feet, airlines are elevating their inflight dining experience by offering an array of carefully curated alcoholic beverages, from craft gins and rare wines to signature cocktails that highlight regional flavours. This thoughtful selection brings a taste of luxury and local craftsmanship into the skies, with airlines like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and ANA introducing exclusive, high-quality spirits and wines across their cabins. Whether you’re sipping a bold Shiraz, enjoying a premium Champagne, or indulging in a unique gin cocktail, these onboard offerings are designed to enhance your journey with flavours that reflect both global and local influences. Explore how airlines are redefining the inflight beverage experience for discerning travellers.
Emirates Introduces 10 New Premium Additions to its onboard Spirits and Beer Menu
Emirates has upgraded its inflight beverage menu by adding 10 new premium spirits and beers. First Class passengers can now enjoy Stoli Elit 18 Vodka, The Botanist Hebridean Strength Gin, and Eminente Reserva 7-Year-Old Rum in the A380 social area, as well as Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Business Class offers Grey Goose Vodka, Glenmorangie Original 10-Year-Old Scotch, and Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Beer. Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers can order Smirnoff Vodka No. 21, Bombay Sapphire Gin, and Baileys Irish Cream, available across all travel classes.
Over the past decade, Emirates has invested AED 290 million in beer and spirits, offering a total of 40 onboard options, including popular brands like Heineken, Chivas, and Hennessy. Among the most consumed spirits are Chivas Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Whisky in First Class, Chivas Regal 18-Year-Old in Business Class, and Dewar’s White Label in Premium Economy and Economy Class. Additionally, thousands of cocktails have been served, with the Bloody Mary leading in popularity, followed by the Mojito, Kir Royal, Cosmopolitan, Aperol Spritz and Emirates Classic Champagne Cocktail.
Emirates provides 96 premium wines, Champagnes, and Ports across its 140 destinations, alongside 14 cocktails, soft drinks, and fresh juices.
New Rosé makes debut in United’s Domestic Economy Cabin
Starting October 1, 2024, United’s domestic economy cabins will feature a new wine list from California’s Central Coast, including a rosé and an exclusive brut bubbles wine. United has served over 20 million glasses of wine this year—1.5 times more than beer or spirits. In domestic economy alone, over 3.2 million glasses have been served. Passengers can choose from four wine varietals, offered in 250ml cans, each providing about a glass and a half of wine. The airline stopped using mini plastic wine bottles. The transition to aluminium canned wine will reduce the use of single-use bottles by an estimated 4.7 million bottles per year. Aluminium is nearly infinitely recyclable.
Just Enough Wines Rosé is a dry, crisp rosé from the California Central Coast. It has a refreshing flavour profile with notes of watermelon and guava and is balanced by a refreshing minerality. The other two wines, also from Just Enough Wines, include a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that features a vibrant and rich profile of bright cherries, vanilla and sandalwood while the medium-bodied Chardonnay features a bright flavour profile with notes of melon, honeysuckle and toasted brioche.
Just Enough Wines is a leading female-owned premium canned wine company featuring vintage and appellation-specific, award-winning wines derived from vineyards certified by Sustainability in Practice and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
The Maker Brut Bubbles is an aromatic sparkling wine, also from the California Central Coast with bright citrus, white flowers and stone fruit notes and a crisp minerality. This 2023 vintage is crafted by Nicole Walsh, an award-winning producer in Santa Cruz.
Maker Wine is also a female-founded, premium canned wine company that partners with women and underrepresented winemakers to put their award-winning wines into canes designed to be recyclable. Maker has 15+ wines rated 90 points or higher and 43 Gold medals from major competitions.
ANA to Launch new Selection of Wines on International Flights in December
ANA will introduce a new wine selection for travellers on international flights in December. This new selection has been available in the ANA LOUNGE for international flights and in the ANA SUITE LOUNGE for both international and domestic flights since September.
Out of over 1,000 wine submissions, a list of 61 top-rated wines was carefully curated by members of THE CONNOISSEURS and ANA’s wine specialists. This selection spans regions including Europe, North and South America, Oceania, South Africa, and Japan. First Class international passengers can savor premium wines like the renowned Krug Champagne, a staple since 1986, and Château Langoa Barton – Grand Cru Classé, a distinguished Third Growth Medoc from Bordeaux, France.
Singapore Airlines Enhanced Premium Economy Class Beverage options
As part of an enhanced Premium Economy Class in-flight experience launched at the end of March this year, Singapore Airlines has curated an exclusive selection of wines and Champagne specifically for its Premium Economy Class, crafted by a team of expert wine consultants. These wines are sourced from celebrated vineyards in the world’s premier wine regions and meticulously chosen through blind tastings to guarantee quality and suitability.
Alongside the exquisite Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition NV champagne, guests can opt for the crisp 2023 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc or the bold 2022 St Hallett Faith Shiraz, ensuring a choice for every palate. In addition to these wines, an expansive array of premium spirits—such as whisky, gin, and vodka—will be available, along with signature cocktails like the iconic Singapore Sling. A variety of beers rounds out the selection, offering guests a diverse and sophisticated beverage experience.
WSET-certified Cathay Wine Ambassadors and Chinese Wines features on board
Cathay’s Chinese wine collection in First and Business showcases terroir-driven wines from vineyards across China. Passengers can savour premium vintages from Ningxia, an emerging powerhouse in Chinese viticulture known for its bold reds and crisp whites. With each sip, the wines reveal unique notes shaped by China’s climate and landscapes, offering a taste of the country’s evolving winemaking expertise at cruising altitude. Wines, including Ao Yun from Yunnan, Grace Vineyard from Shanxi and Ningxia, The Starting Point from Ningxia, and Tiansai Vineyards from Xinjiang, are available onboard.
The airline is training its cabin crew as certified Cathay Wine Ambassadors through the renowned Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the global standard in beverage education. By earning the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, crew members gain an internationally recognised qualification encompassing a comprehensive understanding of grape varieties, tasting profiles, and wine service and storage. The airline’s goal is to have at least one WSET Level 2 trained crew member on every flight, enhancing the onboard wine experience for passengers.
Emirates offers eight champagnes in the skies with longstanding partnership with LVMH – Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton
Emirates has partnered with LVMH – Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for 32 years. Now, Emirates customers have the privilege of tasting even more expressions of Moët & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot and Dom Pérignon as the airline renewed its global airline exclusivity agreements in June this year for another four years.
Emirates exclusive eight champagnes in the sky are Dom Pérignon Vintage 2013, Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2008, Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 2004, Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, Moët & Chandon Imperial Rosé, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2013, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and Veuve Clicquot Vintage Blanc 2015. Emirates also serves Australian sparkling wine, Chandon Vintage Brut 2017 onboard as a global exclusive to customers in Premium Economy.
Emirates First Class guests get to enjoy Dom Pérignon Vintage 2013 throughout the year, Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2008 on select routes (ended in September 2024), and Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 2004 from November to December 2024.
In Business Class, Moët & Chandon is served on routes to Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Australasia. The Imperial Brut will be served throughout 2024, while the Rosé Imperial will be served from June to November. Customers in the Emirates Lounges in Dubai will enjoy the Imperial Brut, Imperial Grand Vintage 2013, Rosé Imperial and Nectar Imperial throughout the year. Veuve Cliquot is served on routes to the Americas, UK, and Europe. The Yellow Label is served all year long while the Vintage Blanc 2015 is served from September to December.
Chandon Vintage Brut is served in Premium Economy. The Chandon Vintage Brut 2017 is exclusive to Emirates In Economy Class guests who can pre-book a vanilla or chocolate cake and Moét & Chandon champagne package for US$43.
Enjoy complimentary beer & wine on Air Canada flights within Canada and to the U.S through 2024
In June 2024, Air Canada enhanced its in-flight service for Economy passengers on flights within Canada and the U.S. by introducing premium complimentary snacks and expanding its free beer and wine options. Additionally, passengers can enjoy a selection of spirits for just C$5 until the end of the year. These new perks complement the existing complimentary offerings in International Economy and Premium cabins. On flights to and from the Caribbean and Mexico, beer, wine, and spirits remain available for purchase through the Air Canada Bistro menu.
Air Canada‘s beverage lineup includes craft beers like Hop Valley and Creemore Springs Premium Lager, alongside classics such as Molson Canadian and Coors Light. Wine lovers can savor two French varieties from Paul Mas—a bold red and a crisp white. For those who prefer cocktails, the airline’s $5 spirit selection features popular choices like Baileys, Canadian Club rye, Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire gin, Smirnoff vodka, Tromba Tequila Blanco, and Campari.
Qantas Winter Menu
Qantas has introduced a refreshed spirits selection across all international cabins, featuring new Australian gins and Campari since June of this year. Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin is now the standard gin offering in International First, Business, and Premium Economy cabins. First Class inflight and lounge guests are also treated to a rotating selection of Australian craft gins each quarter, including unique choices like Applewood, Brookies, Beachtree ‘Quokka’ Gin, and the Australian Distilling Co’s ‘Bondi’ Gin.
Campari has been served onboard international cabins for the first time. Tasmania’s award-winning Lark Classic Cask made its menu debut in First, and Melbourne based Starward Nova has been served on Domestic Business Class.
“We began planning for our new spirits selection more than 12 months ago with the intention to offer our customers a more premium choice when they fly with us. With our flights to Rome restarting and Paris taking off soon, a new aperitif is the perfect way to start or end a European summer holiday,” shares Phil Capps, Executive Manager of Product and Service for Qantas.
Enjoy New Zealand Spirits and Craft beers on Air New Zealand’s International Flights
Air New Zealand has recently introduced a premium menu for its long-haul flights departing from New Zealand, starting in October. This menu highlights regional ingredients from the country, perfectly paired with local wines. Each year, the airline conducts over 500 blind tastings to curate a selection of New Zealand’s finest wines for its passengers. The current menu features Craggy Range Te Kahu Gimblett Gravels, Neudorf Tiritiri Pinot Rosé, and Aoeta Seifried Sauvignon Blanc, amongst others.
The airline’s selection of spirits and craft beer served onboard and in selected Air New Zealand lounges showcases the craftsmanship from around New Zealand. In Business Premier and select Air New Zealand lounges, guests can enjoy the Scapegrace Classic Gin or Vanguard Single Malt, Reefton Distilling Co. Wild Rain Vodka, National Distillery Company Port O Ahuriri Golden Rum, Parrotdog Crafft Beer – BIrdseye Hazy IPA, Parrotdog Watchdog IPA <0.5% alc./volume. and Lager on tap in select lounges. Premium Economy and Economy customers can enjoy the Rogue Society Gin and Vodka as well as the Parrotdog Watchdog IPA <0.5% alc./vol.
“Our beverage menu showcases flavours from every corner of New Zealand and celebrates the incredible quality and diversity of New Zealand’s producers. Customers will be able to enjoy an impressive selection of spirits and beer from some of the country’s best producers including Scapegrace, Reefton Distilling Co., National Distillery Company, Port O Ahuriri, Parrotdog Craft Beer and Rogue Society,’ shares Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer. “This complements our inflight dining menu ‘A Taste of Aotearoa’ showcasing the exceptional produce and flavours from the regions, our wine list that exclusively features New Zealand wines and our onboard snacks which are all made in New Zealand.”
