YARDLEY, PA — The results are in for Global Traveler’s 19th annual Wines on the Wing competition, with Swiss International Air Lines and Air Tahiti Nui taking top honors in the prestigious airline wine tasting event. The awards recognize excellence in first- and business-class wine offerings, as judged by an expert panel in a blind tasting held June 29 at The Ned NoMad in New York City.
SWISS claimed the title of Top International First-Class Wines on the Wing, while Air Tahiti Nui earned the corresponding honor in the International Business-Class category. The competition required airlines to submit a full suite of five wines—two reds, two whites, and one sparkling or Champagne—to qualify for the top awards.
First-Class Highlights
In first class, SWISS’s standout selection was the Cayas Syrah 2022 from Jean-René Germanier Vétroz, Valais AOC, which earned the Top Red Wine International First Class. Qatar Airways secured the Top Champagne with the Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013.
STARLUX Airlines impressed in the Top White Wine International First Class category with its Schloss Vollards Schlossberg Riesling Grosses Gewäch QBA 2019.
Business-Class Winners
Air Tahiti Nui had a strong showing, taking the Top Business-Class White Wine title with the AOC Les Grands Terroirs Samuel Billaud Chablis 2023, and the overall business-class title as well. Qatar Airways led the Top Red Wine category with Kangarilla Road Devils Whiskers Shiraz 2021, while Condor won Top Champagne Business Class with Pol Hensler Grande Réserve, France NV.
North America Premium Class Standouts
Global Traveler also recognized excellence in North American premium cabins for the 14th consecutive year. Aeromexico secured the top overall award and tied with American Airlines for Top Red Wine honors. Aeromexico’s Vino Tinto Lagar de Proventus 2018 and American’s Castello di Verrazzano “Rosso Verrazzano” Toscana IGT 2020 shared the spotlight.
Delta Air Lines was recognized for Top White Wine with Invivo X by SJP Sauvignon Blanc, while American Airlines also picked up the Top Sparkling Wine award for Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Premier Cru Extra-Brut.
Premium Economy and Alliance Awards
Although no airline submitted a complete premium economy selection this year, individual wines were recognized. Ethiopian Airlines earned Top Sparkling Wine in the international premium economy category with Pommery Brut Apanace, while Air Tahiti Nui and SWISS split top honors in the red and white wine categories.
In the alliance competition, oneworld was named Best Alliance Wines on the Wing for the second consecutive year.
About the Competition
Directed by wine expert Tom Gannon, the blind tasting featured a judging panel composed of sommeliers, winemakers, and wine industry professionals. Global Traveler remains the only U.S.-based publication conducting such an in-depth airline wine survey.
The annual event continues to spotlight the critical role wine plays in the in-flight experience and the growing sophistication of airline beverage programs across all cabin classes.
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