During the renowned Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards 2018—hosted in London—Air France once again distinguished itself among global airlines for its sophisticated onboard wine and spirits selection, particularly in its flagship La Première suite. The airline claimed top honors for 'Best First Class Champagne,' highlighting the exceptional Taittinger Comtes de Champagne blanc de Blancs 2006, a favorite among connoisseurs flying La Première.
Air France’s wine program is expertly curated by world-renowned sommelier Paolo Basso (named World’s Best Sommelier in 2013), alongside acclaimed wine critics Thierry Desseauve and Michel Bettane—creators of the authoritative bettane+desseauve French wine guide. This trio crafts a rotating selection of French wines and Champagnes, ensuring every pour meets the highest standards of quality and pairs harmoniously with the in-flight menu.
Each year, Air France serves more than 800,000 bottles of fine wine to guests in La Première and Business Class, and an impressive 750,000 bottles of Champagne are enjoyed across all cabins, including Economy. Every bottle is carefully chosen to shine in the unique conditions of air travel, where lower humidity and pressurized cabins subtly affect aroma and palate. The result is a wine list that consistently elevates the onboard dining experience.
Further cementing its reputation, Air France was also recognized as the airline with the 'Best Wine Selection 2018' and received the coveted 'Three Glasses' distinction—akin to the Michelin Guide’s star system—for its La Première wine offering by China’s Wine List 2018. These accolades reflect Air France’s ongoing commitment to delivering a world-class wine and Champagne experience at altitude.