Champagne remains the ultimate symbol of sophistication and is an essential part of the luxury Business Class experience for discerning travelers.
The history of Champagne is steeped in myth and innovation. While the sparkling nature of Champagne was originally considered a winemaking flaw, it was later embraced and perfected in the Champagne region of France. The cold winters would halt fermentation, which then restarted in spring, naturally creating bubbles and, at times, causing bottles to burst due to the pressure.
Although an English scientist is credited with intentionally producing sparkling wine in the early 17th century, it was Dom Pérignon—a Benedictine monk—who is widely celebrated for refining the secondary fermentation process that gives Champagne its effervescence and finesse.
Airlines have long recognized the importance of offering premium passengers a taste of elegance, and complimentary Champagne is a hallmark of Business Class, both in lounges and onboard. While the rarest vintages are typically reserved for First Class, Business Class travelers can still enjoy an impressive selection of renowned non-vintage (NV) Champagnes—expertly blended from multiple harvests to achieve a consistent, high-quality flavor profile.
These non-vintage Champagnes, crafted with meticulous attention by the world’s most esteemed maisons, offer exceptional taste at altitude—whether as a pre-flight aperitif or paired with gourmet dishes at 39,000 feet.
Notably, the last few years have seen English sparkling wines gain recognition among airlines, with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic proudly showcasing the UK’s finest bubbles alongside classic French labels.
Explore our curated guide to the most distinguished Champagnes and sparkling wines currently offered in Business Class:
Emirates
Emirates
Emirates is celebrated for its unrivaled inflight wine program and is recognized as the largest airline purchaser of Champagne worldwide. The Dubai-based carrier is the only commercial airline to serve Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon at cruising altitude. The airline’s signature Champagne service, 'Taste the Stars', pays homage to Dom Pérignon’s legendary association with Champagne’s discovery.
While First Class guests enjoy vintage Dom Pérignon, Business Class passengers are treated to a rotating selection of premium non-vintage options. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is typically poured on flights to Europe, the UK, and the Americas, while Moët & Chandon is featured on routes to Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is the flagship cuvée, featuring up to 45% reserve wines, some aged for up to 30 years. The nose reveals white fruit and citrus, complemented by notes of vanilla and brioche. On the palate, expect dynamic freshness with layers of apple, peach, mandarin, and subtle toasted nuances. This Champagne is particularly well-suited to the high-altitude environment, pairing beautifully with seafood, pasta, and vegetable dishes served onboard.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific continues to elevate its inflight wine program, sourcing selections from globally acclaimed vineyards to complement its award-winning cuisine. While First Class guests may encounter Krug Grande Cuvée, Business Class travelers are regularly served Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve NV—a hallmark of finesse from a historic family-run Champagne house founded in 1818.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve NV is an elegant blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, crafted with 50–60% reserve wines. The Champagne displays a pale straw hue with persistent, delicate bubbles. Aromas of floral notes and ripe fruit combine with hints of brioche, yielding a palate that is fresh, balanced, and full-bodied. Its versatility makes it an ideal choice for both aperitifs and seafood pairings at altitude.
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Air France
As the national carrier of France, Air France is renowned for its exceptional wine and Champagne program, curated under the guidance of Master Sommelier Paolo Basso, who was named Best Sommelier of the World in 2013. Each offering is expertly paired with menus from Michelin-starred chefs. While La Première passengers may enjoy rarities like Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, Business Class guests are treated to selections such as Taittinger Brut Réserve, Deutz Brut Classic, or Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve, rotated regularly to ensure freshness and variety.
Taittinger Brut Réserve NV is distinguished by its golden color, refined citrus and brioche aromas, and a palate of great depth and elegance. With up to 40% Chardonnay in the blend, it is aged for a minimum of three years, resulting in exceptional delicacy and a lingering finish.
Deutz Brut Classic is a harmonious blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, with 20–40% reserve wines added annually. Expect a golden hue, floral and ripe fruit aromas, and a palate that is silky, full-bodied, and elegantly fruity—ideal for savoring above the clouds.
Air France
British Airways
British Airways has embraced the surge in English sparkling wine, now featuring a rotating line-up of celebrated UK labels in its Club World Business Class cabin. With demand for English sparkling wines rising by over 70% in recent years, BA highlights four top-quality English producers throughout the year, refreshing the selection each quarter. These homegrown wines complement the airline’s classic Champagne, Heidsieck Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage—a longstanding favorite among frequent flyers.
Heidsieck Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, presenting a pale yellow color with emerald reflections. The initial floral bouquet evolves into notes of white peach, while the palate is balanced and harmonious, displaying subtle hints of cocoa and coffee with a clean, extended finish. This versatile Champagne pairs beautifully with seafood, shellfish, or light poultry dishes.
Read our comprehensive British Airways Business Class review
Read the Businessclass review of Air France Business Class
Qantas
Australia’s Qantas continues to set the standard for inflight wine service, guided by the expertise of renowned chef Neil Perry and a team of certified sommeliers. The carrier’s Business Class selection rotates regularly, with current offerings including Duval-Leroy Réserve Brut and Jacquart Mosaïque Brut, alongside other prestigious French Champagnes like Charles Heidsieck and Taittinger Cuvée Prestige.
Duval-Leroy Réserve Brut comes from a Champagne house known for its commitment to sustainable viticulture since 1859. This blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay—featuring up to 40% reserve wines—offers delicate straw color, fine bubbles, and aromas of toasted biscuit, cinnamon, and ripe figs. The palate is light and refreshing, finishing long and clean, making it an ideal match for white meats or as an aperitif at altitude.
Jacquart Mosaïque Brut hails from a vibrant, modern Champagne house established in the 1960s. With up to 35% reserve wines and at least three years of lees aging, this Champagne unveils floral and white fruit aromas, complemented by a lively palate of pear, apricot, and lemon zest. It’s a delightful partner for lighter fare such as chicken or tempura dishes.
British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class sets itself apart with a thoughtfully curated wine list, headlined by Ayala Brut Majeur Champagne from one of Champagne’s historic Grandes Marques, alongside celebrated English sparkling wine from Hambledon. The Ayala house, founded in 1860 and revitalized by the Bollinger family in the 21st century, is revered for its dry, expressive style. Virgin’s inclusion of Hambledon Classic Cuvée reflects the airline’s commitment to showcasing British excellence in wine.
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur is meticulously blended from over 70 crus of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, and aged for three years on the lees. Its light gold hue and refined bubbles introduce aromas of citrus, white flowers, and orchard fruit. The palate is lively and precise, with a long, elegant finish—equally enjoyable as an aperitif or paired with seafood, poultry, or cheese selections.
Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV is crafted at England’s oldest commercial vineyard, rooted in Hampshire’s unique chalk soils. Comprised of over 50% Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it is aged for a minimum of 35 months on the lees. Expect vibrant floral notes on the nose, a palate with bright acidity and ripe fruit, and a persistent, clean finish—a testament to the rising global reputation of English sparkling wine.
Read the Businessclass review of British Airways Business Class
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Japan Airlines is globally acclaimed for its refined beverage program, blending the best of Japanese sake and international wines. Under the direction of wine advisor Motohiro Okoshi, JAL’s Business Class features an ever-evolving Champagne selection. Recent offerings have included Delamotte Blanc de Blancs, Ayala Brut Majeur, and Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve, with Drappier Carte d'Or NV currently gracing the menu.
Delamotte Blanc de Blancs is crafted exclusively from Grand Cru Chardonnay, aged four to five years on the lees with a touch of reserve wines. This Champagne, from the fifth-oldest house in the region, offers a mineral-driven profile, pale yellow color, and aromas of citrus, ginger, and fresh bread. The palate is vibrant and layered, with a long, crisp finish.
Drappier Carte d'Or NV is produced by a family house established in 1808. The blend is dominated by Pinot Noir (80%), with Chardonnay and Meunier providing balance. Expect a golden hue, fine bubbles, and a nose rich in baked apple, nuts, and spice. The palate delivers stone fruit and complex, savory notes, ending with a dry, elegant finish.
Qantas
EVA Air
EVA Air, Taiwan’s premier international airline, is celebrated for its Premium Laurel Class, which routinely features some of the world’s most coveted Champagnes—often reserved for First Class elsewhere. Depending on the route, Business Class guests may be treated to pours of Dom Pérignon, Krug Grande Cuvée, or Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2012 exemplifies the house’s philosophy of only producing Champagne in exceptional vintages. Crafted from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and matured for at least eight years on the lees, the wine is pale straw in hue, with a nose of smoky citrus and stone fruit, and a palate that is vibrant, layered, and finishes with remarkable length.
Krug Grande Cuvée is the flagship of the Krug house, which was founded in 1843. Each release is a blend of over 120 reserve wines from at least a decade of harvests, then cellared for a further seven years. The result is a Champagne of golden color, delicate bubbles, and complex aromas of blossom, candied citrus, and marzipan. The palate is rich with notes of hazelnut, citrus, and honey, finishing with signature Krug depth and finesse.
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame is a tribute to Madame Clicquot, a Champagne pioneer. This prestige cuvée, aged extensively on the lees, reveals a light golden color, refined bubbles, and a bouquet of minerals, flowers, and toasted brioche. The palate is precise, fresh, and persistent—ideal as an aperitif or alongside caviar, shellfish, or fine seafood.
Read the Businessclass review of Qantas Business Class
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is synonymous with luxury, offering an exceptional Business Class experience that extends to its Champagne selection. The airline is known for rotating its offerings and currently features Laurent Perrier Brut NV and Joseph Perrier Esprit de Victoria Brut Rosé on select routes, both lauded for their balance and elegance at altitude.
Laurent Perrier Brut NV is the flagship cuvée from a house established in 1812. Blended from over 100 crus and matured for at least four years, it displays a pale gold color and fine, persistent bubbles. The nose is delicate with white flowers and citrus, while the palate offers notes of peach, honeysuckle, and a subtle toastiness—making it a superb match for seafood or as a refreshing aperitif.
Joseph Perrier Esprit de Victoria Brut Rosé is produced by a family-owned house dating back to 1825, with cellars carved from Roman-era tunnels. The 2006 vintage, composed of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, is aged for at least six years, presenting a raspberry pink color and aromas of violets, cherries, and redcurrant. The palate is rich with red fruit, plum, and vanilla, pairing beautifully with shellfish, seafood, or mild cheeses.
Virgin Atlantic
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines’ Business Class is legendary for its attentive service and world-class wine program. The airline’s expert panel samples over 1,000 wines annually, including at simulated cabin pressure, to ensure optimal enjoyment in flight. With more than 350,000 bottles of Champagne served each year, the selection varies by route, but Henriot Brut Souverain is a mainstay, joined by Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve and Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage on key long-haul routes.
Henriot Brut Souverain is a sophisticated blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, enhanced with a touch of Pinot Meunier. This organic Champagne shows a pale straw color, with aromas of brioche and citrus. The palate is long, complex, and dry, with vibrant acidity that stands up to the rigors of air travel.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV is crafted from equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier, with 50% reserve wines and three years of lees aging. The result is a rich golden hue, fine mousse, and aromas of candied fruit and toasted nuts. The palate is creamy, full-bodied, and nutty, with a lingering, elegant finish—an outstanding non-vintage Champagne by any measure.
Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2014 Vintage is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, displaying a vibrant golden color and fine bubbles. The bouquet includes orange blossom, apricot, and brioche, while the palate balances citrus, tangerine, and spice with a long, dry finish. It pairs beautifully with seafood, cheeses, or as a celebratory toast in the sky.
Read the Businessclass review of Virgin Atlantic
At Businessclass, our flight search tool includes up-to-date details about which Champagnes and sparkling wines are served in Business and First Class across major airlines. We strive to maintain current information, but welcome your feedback if you notice any recent changes.
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