British Airways continues to redefine luxury travel by introducing an exclusive English sparkling wine for its First Class passengers. In collaboration with the celebrated Hattingley Valley, the airline now offers a bespoke sparkling wine experience, underscoring its commitment to British excellence at 35,000 feet.
British Airways’ in-house wine specialists joined forces with Hattingley Valley’s expert winemaking team to craft a unique Blanc de Noirs, available only to First Class guests and visitors to the iconic Concorde Room at Heathrow Terminal 5. This refined cuvée, based predominantly on Pinot Noir grapes, is meticulously produced to ensure optimal taste and aroma when enjoyed at altitude. Each grape is hand-picked and delicately pressed before being crafted at Hattingley Valley’s state-of-the-art Hampshire winery. According to Kelly Stevenson, British Airways’ Wine and Beverage Manager, "There’s something quintessentially British about toasting a journey with an English sparkling wine. Our collaboration with Hattingley Valley has produced a wine that truly shines above the clouds—elegant notes of red apple skin and delicate berry complement the in-flight experience beautifully."
This limited-edition sparkling wine is an exclusive feature in British Airways’ First Class cabin and the airline’s flagship Concorde Room lounge. Discerning travelers can also discover the wine at select pop-up tastings, such as Hattingley Valley’s Mad Hattingley Tea Party at TASTE of London in Regent’s Park, where we enjoyed a preview of the blend’s nuanced flavors.
Emma Rice, Director and Head Winemaker at Hattingley Valley—twice honored as Winemaker of the Year—notes, "The global acclaim for English sparkling wine has soared in recent years. Our partnership with British Airways allows us to showcase the very best of British viticulture both in the sky and on the ground."
Since its founding in 2008, family-run Hattingley Valley has set industry benchmarks for English sparkling wine, distinguished by its tradition of fermenting a portion of each vintage in oak barrels. Their portfolio, including the Classic Reserve, Rosé, and Blanc de Blancs, has garnered numerous international awards for quality and complexity.
To mark its centenary, British Airways has launched a curated series of limited-edition products in collaboration with leading British brands. Initiatives include an exclusive transatlantic IPA brewed by BrewDog, a collectible whisky crafted by InchDairnie, and a special centenary edition Marmite jar—ingeniously sized to comply with airport liquid regulations. These collaborations further highlight the airline’s dedication to celebrating British craftsmanship in every detail of the travel experience.
