I’ve been on more than my share of flights this summer, both domestic and international, and one thing that bugs me is how poor wine service has become on airlines.
Yea, I know, there is some pretty decent juice poured in business and first class, but I’m talking about the bottles served for $5 in coach. In my recent experience none of the wines on offer are worth the money and I tend to drink ice water on flights as a result.
It would seem to me that this is an interesting marketing opportunity for wine brands of a certain scale or brands known for consistent quality and value. Since bottling for airlines requires a special line out of reach for most small to medium wineries, only larger production brands tend to play here. Some are obviously using this as a way to expose their brand to new customers as about half the time the wines presented to me are from unfamiliar wineries (mostly from the southern hemisphere for some reason).
But what if someone like Cameron Hughes bottled some larger lots or a special blend just for airlines? They could change the wines over time to expose customers to something better than the average fighting varietal now most common. On the back label they could tell their direct marketing story.
I’d definitely fork over $5 for this kind of juice any day.
My God! You’re a genius. Cameron Hughes in coach on United Airlines! Cameron, if you are reading this–PLEASE sell your rose to United and other airlines.
Seriously, what a good idea. You are right and it is utter crap in most coach service. To be honest, it’s not all that great in business, either. At least not on trans-Atlantics. (PS. I only know because of upgrades…I don’t pay for those seats!)
I flew air france a number of years ago to Portugal. Talk about great coach wine. I had the choice of Rhone, Loire, and champange, not to mention cognac for dessert!
Ryan brought up the point I was going to ask about. Do foreign carriers provide a better wine selection? Is the US the only one that provides such poor wines?
It is why I usually only drink vodka on US flights.
I was slightly disappointed on my Air France flights this summer where I had a serviceable white Bordeaux on one flight but they didn’t have any wine on my second flight. Maybe I was just on commuter flights where they have minimal wine service.
Generally speaking, International carriers tend to be better than U.S. carriers where wine is concerned. I was pleased with the service on Iberian while I was in Spain this June, for example.
One can only hope that someone who views airline wine as a marketing opportunity to make friends and build their brand will provide some alternatives to the plonk on most domestic flights now.
Virgin vines has a 2005 Shiraz bottled in single serving that I suspect would be served on Virgin airline flights. I love the wine but have never flown Virgin yet.