It looks like Cathay Pacific is making some changes to their onboard champagne program in first class. For years, Cathay Pacific served Krug Grande Cuvée in first class.
Then in August 2017, Cathay Pacific replaced that with Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2006 in longhaul first class. Personally I prefer Krug, though the Taittinger is excellent as well. The Krug is marginally more expensive, though the Taittinger isn’t cheap either, at $150+ per bottle.
It looks like Cathay Pacific is once again making some adjustments to their first class champagne selection on select routes, this time for the better:
“This month, Cathay Pacific is introducing a rotating programme of the finest vintage champagnes for its First Class passengers, starting with the premium Krug 2004. In addition to the vintage Krug 2004, the selection includes the 2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, the 2007 William Deutz Cuvee and the 2002 Piper Heidsieck Rare.
This month, the Krug 2004 will be featured on routes to Boston, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, London Heathrow, Chicago and Vancouver with additional routes to follow later in the year.”
I’m not sure if this is just a coincidence, or if airlines are really feeling some sort of competitive champagne pressure, but it’s interesting that Emirates, Singapore, and now Cathay Pacific, are also serving special vintage champagne at the moment.
I had the 2004 Krug in Singapore Suites recently, and it was phenomenal.
As you can see, on certain routes you can expect the 2004 Krug this month (and apparently it will be offered on further routes later in the year), while you can expect some different vintage champgnes in future months.
There are a few airlines out there with rotating champagne programs. On one hand I think it’s cool for frequent flyers, since it lets them try out a selection over time. At the same time, there is something to be said about the consistency of always being served the same thing and knowing what to expect, and historically Cathay Pacific is consistent to a fault.
So if you do have an upcoming Cathay Pacific first class flight on one of the eligible routes, save some room for a glass (or three) of champagne.
(Tip of the hat to @thejonathanlee)
On CX885 right now and champagne is William Deutz 2006. Tastes very nice but not quite as deep as the Krug from CX and SQ.
Thank you BOSflyer!!!
@lucky I can confirm CX is serving Vintage Krug 2004 out of BOS
Hey lucky, this says “routes TO New York..”
Does this mean it will NOT be served JFK - HKG, but only HKG - JFK? Was going to book J JFK HKG, but always looking for an excuse to book F.
Thanks a lot!
I flew JFK HKG in CX F in January, they were serving the Krug. I then flew HKG BKK CX F and they were serving the Taittinger (which by the way tasted incredible)
@rob-Riyadh Johnnie Blue is not a single malt. It’s a blended whisky.
1. Champagne is produced in limited quantities.
2. The airlines have been serving the same champagne for a few years
Now
3. In light of limited production, and the length of time certain champagnes have been served on board, airlines are changing it around.
But, it does sound better to say competitI’ve pressures.
I envy the life-threatening decisions the rich-and-famous have to wrestle with. I honestly am envious. I'm (almost) certain the choice of champagne served at The Melbourne Cup is also very important.
Speaking for myself, champagne is not significant. Not a fan of bubbly. The odd glass, maybe. Not sure I could tell the difference between Krug and Baby Duck.
While on the subject of important issues for the lucky few who can afford First Class,...
I envy the life-threatening decisions the rich-and-famous have to wrestle with. I honestly am envious. I'm (almost) certain the choice of champagne served at The Melbourne Cup is also very important.
Speaking for myself, champagne is not significant. Not a fan of bubbly. The odd glass, maybe. Not sure I could tell the difference between Krug and Baby Duck.
While on the subject of important issues for the lucky few who can afford First Class, I sometimes notice on the drink menus you post that First Class passengers are offered 'JW Blue'. Again, not a fan of malt whiskies, although I am aware JW Blue is very pricey. Yet, it's always "Jack Daniel's" and never 'Sinatra Select' or even 'Gentleman Jack' offered. Why? Are we considered plebs?
I'm more intrigued by the fact that readers of this blog constantly feel the need to remind everyone that they are "frequent first-class traveller"
A welcome improvement. Its about time, since theyve been cost-cutting aggressively. If its only in first class then thats not much problem in their inventory system. I do wish though that they bring back the fruity Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve in long-haul business class.
@Bob Trial . Correct sir. Krug was definitely served last Monday out of JFK and week before out of YVR
You could serve aerated jus de chaussette/pipi de chat and most of them would deem it marvellous, provided it had a fancy label and a $150 price tag.
Great for the vendors though.
Maybe its not the airlines, but the Champagne providers. Maybe they have too much inventory and trying to move their product.
What's being served down the back in biz?
@Matt and @Lucky, I am flying out of BOS later this week, and hope to find out :-)
"Then in August 2017, Cathay Pacific replaced that with Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2006 in longhaul first class." - Not really accurate! Comtes de Champagne indeed replaced Krug on a few routes - specifically SFO, LAX and ZRH - but all other long-haul routes, aka the overwhelming majority of CX longhaul flights, maintained Krug NV.
@Cheque If you've ever read some of the threads on Flyertalk, it is clear that wine and champagne selection does factor into a lot of peoples' choice of which airlines to fly especially those who fly in the front.
Should also mention that Japan Airlines has switched from Salon to Cristal, currently the 2009 vintage.
In other Champagne-related news, Lufthansa is serving Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires 1995 this month, which is great stuff! It's even more expensive than Krug Grande Cuvee or vintage Dom (excluding P2). I prefer it to Dom Perignon and to the recent editions of Krug Grande Cuvee.
I like that Lufthansa rotates their Champagne since it's always fun to try something new, but my gripe is that the quality varies wildly. Often they serve...
In other Champagne-related news, Lufthansa is serving Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires 1995 this month, which is great stuff! It's even more expensive than Krug Grande Cuvee or vintage Dom (excluding P2). I prefer it to Dom Perignon and to the recent editions of Krug Grande Cuvee.
I like that Lufthansa rotates their Champagne since it's always fun to try something new, but my gripe is that the quality varies wildly. Often they serve Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle or Pommery Cuvee Louise, which are both respectable first-class Champagnes. But then sometimes they will serve non-vintage Alfred Gratien or Taittinger 2007, which are not in the same league.
Air France is a great example of an airline that rotates its Champagnes but keeps them at consistently great quality--Bollinger La Grande Annee, Krug Grande Cuvee, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, and Cristal.
Does anyone choose their first class ticket based on the champagne served? I am sure the airlines do this kind of rotation purely based on ecenomic terms.
Do you think this is just ex-HKG? Or is it on the routes listed to and from HKG?
@ Matt -- I believe it's to & from Hong Kong, but am not positive.
As a very frequent first class traveller, I can confirm that the quality of the food and beverage offering on Cathay and JAL is way superior than 90% of the other airlines.
Ben..thanks for the info..from time to time it is nice to taste some good bubblies...and yes...quite intriguing that major airlines are serving good ones at the moment..