Emirates is one of the most generous airlines in the world in first class. Of course the airline charges high fares and is trying to make money, but unlike many other airlines, the Dubai-based carrier seems to be more focused on revenue than on costs in premium cabins, which I really appreciate.
Continue reading: Emirates First Class Pre-Departure Champagne Upgraded
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Maybe getting rid of their stock as the exclusive deal expired? (See you LH post).
I’ve never really understood this argument. How much do we think they pay for a bottle of Dom? Maybe $150? How much is the tax potentially in a high tax county? Is it like $20-30?
And even if they still serve a $50 bottle of something else, they’d still have to file paperwork and pay tax of a lesser amount. But this amount of money difference seems like a rounding error for 1-2 bottles on the ground.
It would make more sense for them to say “the paperwork/tax is too complicated to serve *any* alcohol on the ground”. But just serving cheaper never made sense to me.
In addition to this upgrade, I would not be surprised if EK is being sought after to secure some luxury wines for its premium cabins moving forward. Napa and Sonoma county are my backyards, and grape growers and certain wineries are facing decline in sales. Would be an upgrade for those sitting upfront though! Now, if we can just get AA and UA to follow for their business class offerings.
What is their business class champagne typically? There are many champagnes I’d prefer to current release DP that cost less than half as much.
I was wondering the same! A friend was telling me they got Dom, but on SQ I believe. I was wondering if they were mistaken because I knew, or thought I knew, that EK had exclusivity.
I’ve never not been served Dom as a pre-departure beverage in F, even out of MXP and NBO. I guess I’ve just been lucky.
Flying First Class from Manchester a couple of years ago, my friend and I made what we thought was a comical comment about the champagne only being Moet & Chandon. The steward apologised and said they can only serve Bom Perignon after take off!
For a Muslim airline they have a very good wine selection.
You’ve been lucky.
I’ve gotten the “cheap” stuff on the ground ex CPT, JNB, SIN, BKK, HKG, LAX, IAD, and ORD.
I've felt sorry for the flight crew as they've had to apologise that they couldn't serve Dom until in the air. Problem solved - great news
Just flew them from Australia to Nz and thought I was special when they pulled the Dom out pre departure
I have recently retired after working at a major airline for 30 years.
I don't know the profile of Emirates customers, but I can tell you for certain that the wine list is way low on the list of a real First Class full fare paying customer. From experience, these customers value the space, comfort and privacy. They tend to eat very little and mostly only drink water. A glass of red wine or champagne with their meal at the most. I am reminded that these people have a lot of money and can afford to dine at the best restaurants in the world. They don't care need to harp about any airline's wine list. That is done by amateurs and les nouveaux riches.
Wow!
Judging an airline by the label on a bottle of champagne …. some will be criticising cars because of the make of the wiper blades.
What makes them muslim lol? strange comment
you wouldn't refer to air france as a Christian airline would you? Or any other state owned airline
Now you're retired, do you have a newsletter I can subscribe to? Wouldn't mind reading more of your hot takes on what inferior humans do to have fun like *shock* enjoy drinking wine on a plane
I never new why they didn't serve Dom pre departure. But decided along time ago to just have water and appreciate the Dom Perignon for in flight. The one time I was on my own in first class they wouldnt let me say no to finishing the bottle. It was only a 2 1/2 hour flight
They served moet today, June 4, 2025, on the ground as pre depature champagne in first class from JNB fwiw