Top 10 Airlines Serving Best Wines in the World 2025

Swiss International Air Lines (LX) and Air Tahiti Nui (TN) emerged as top winners at this year’s Wines on the Wing airline wine competition, hosted by Global Traveler in New York City (JFK).

The annual tasting brought together 17 professional judges to evaluate wine offerings across First Class, Business Class, and Premium Class cabins.

Held at The Ned NoMad hotel, the 19th edition of the event saw 14 airlines submitting their finest selections of sparkling, white, and red wines.

Judged blind using a modified 20-point scale, the competition revealed key trends and crowned standout carriers for their in-flight wine excellence.

Photo: Global Traveler

Best Airline Wine 2025

The Wines on the Wing competition, organized by Global Traveler, evaluates premium-class airline wine programs through a rigorous blind tasting judged by seasoned wine professionals.

Participating airlines submit two whites, two reds, and one sparkling wine, which are assessed and ranked in categories based on service class and route origin.

In the Top International First Class Wines category, Swiss International Air Lines (LX) claimed the top spot, bolstered by standout wines including Pommery’s Cuvée Louise Millesime 2006 and the award-winning Cayas Syrah Jean-René Germanier Vétroz 2022.

These choices reflect both tradition and innovation in Swiss winemaking, a rarity in international airline programs.

Air Tahiti Nui (TN) earned top honors for International Business Class, delivering exceptional selections such as AOC Les Grands Terroirs Samuel Billaud Chablis 2023 (Top White Wine) and AOC Margaux Blason D’Issan 2019 (Top Red Wine).

This performance adds to its reputation as Best Airline in the South Pacific, as recognized by Global Traveler readers.

In North American Premium Class, Aeromexico (AM) outperformed major carriers including American Airlines (AA) and JetBlue (B6). Its thoughtful wine choices contributed to its overall category win.

Photo: Global Traveler

Category and Winning Selections

Top International First Class Wines

1. Swiss International Air Lines (LX)
2. STARLUX Airlines (JX)
3. Qatar Airways (QR)

Notable First Class Wines:

• Top Sparkling: Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2013 – Qatar Airways
• Top Red: Cayas Syrah 2022 – Swiss International Air Lines
• Top White: Schloss Vollrads Schlossberg Riesling 2019 – STARLUX Airlines

Top International Business Class Wines

1. Air Tahiti Nui (TN)
2. Qatar Airways (QR)
3. American Airlines (AA)

Top Business Class Wines:

• Top Sparkling: Pol Hensler Grande Réserve NV – Condor (DE)
• Top Red: Kangarilla Road Devils Whiskers Shiraz 2021 – Qatar Airways
• Top White: Samuel Billaud Chablis 2023–Air Tahiti Nui

North America Premium Class

1. Aeromexico (AM)
2. American Airlines (AA)
3. JetBlue (B6)

Notable Premium Class Wines:

• Top Sparkling: Nicolas Feuillatte Premier Cru Extra-Brut – American Airlines
• Top Red (Tie): Castello di Verrazzano Rosso Verrazzano 2020 – American / Lagar de Proventus 2018 – Aeromexico
• Top White: Invivo X by SJP Sauvignon Blanc – Delta Air Lines (DL)

Photo: Global Traveler

Premium Economy and Airline Alliances

While no single airline submitted a full Premium Economy program, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) earned recognition for Top Sparkling with Pommery Brut Apanace. Air Tahiti Nui and Swiss International Air Lines also received high marks for individual Premium Economy red and white wines.

In alliance performance, oneworld maintained its position as the Top Airline Alliance, followed by Star Alliance and SkyTeam, highlighting the collective strength of their onboard offerings.

Photo: Global Traveler

Event Details

Hosted at The Ned NoMad, a historic Beaux-Arts property in Manhattan, the event was a logistical triumph amid NYC Pride celebrations. Judges from as far as the Finger Lakes and Long Island navigated closed streets to attend.

Special credit was given to The Ned’s team, including hospitality lead Billy Berkis and event staff like Ronald, who physically transported essential items through restricted zones to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Reported by Global Traveler, the event coincided with a “fruit day” on the biodynamic calendar, believed to enhance wine expression, a fitting match for a day dedicated to evaluating and celebrating exceptional wines from around the globe.

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