Which Airlines Serve The Best Champagne? Here’s A Rundown…

Which Airlines Serve The Best Champagne? Here’s A Rundown…

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For many people, champagne and premium cabin travel go hand in hand. If you’re embarking on a special holiday in style, there’s something special about hearing the cork of a bottle of champagne pop, and enjoying that first glass after boarding (or after takeoff, depending on a carrier’s policy).

In this post, I’d like to provide an updated list of the airlines serving the world’s best champagne. I’ll cover the airlines serving the best champagne in first and business class in the air, and the airlines serving the best champagne in first class on the ground (there’s just too much variability when it comes to business class lounge champagne to make a useful list).

How I’m defining the “best” champagne

Like virtually anything you might eat or drink, “best” is highly subjective. So I’m taking a very simple approach here, and am ranking airlines’ champagne offerings based on the retail cost of the champagne they serve. Specifically, I’ll use the pricing from wine-searcher.com.

Let me emphasize that I’m not intending to suggest that something is better simply because it’s more expensive. It’s not.

However, there is generally a correlation between the quality of an airline product and the price of the champagne they’re serving, since it represents a significant investment (even at the discounted prices that airlines are paying). Case in point, Japan Airlines has expensive champagne in first class, while American Airlines doesn’t. 😉

Furthermore, any metric other than price is simply too subjective. Virtually all of these champagne options are highly rated, and reasonable people can disagree about which is slightly better.

There’s something about a good glass of champagne in first class!

Airlines with most expensive first class champagne (inflight)

Which of the world’s top first class airlines serve the best champagne onboard flights? Here’s the list I’ve put together, though please let me know if I’m missing anything:

  1. Japan Airlines serves Salon 2013 (~$1,300/bottle) in first class, though note the airline only caters this in small quantities, with Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee 2015 (~$200/bottle) being the backup champagne
  2. Qatar Airways serves Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut (~$320/bottle) in first class
  3. Air France serves Rare Brut Millesime (~$230/bottle); Air France regularly rotates its champagne selection
  4. Singapore Airlines serves Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2013 (~$220/bottle) and Krug Grand Cuvee Brut (~$280/bottle)
  5. Emirates serves Dom Perignon 2015 (~$240/bottle) in first class; sometimes the airline also serves Dom Perignon Rose or Dom Perignon P2
  6. All Nippon Airways serves Krug Grand Cuvee Brut (~$280/bottle) in first class
  7. Cathay Pacific serves Krug Grand Cuvee Brut (~$280/bottle) in first class
  8. Lufthansa serves Louis Roederer Vintage Brut 2015 (~$90/bottle) in first class; Lufthansa regularly rotates its champagne selection
  9. SWISS serves Pommery Cuvee Louise Millesime 2006 (~$200/bottle) in first class; SWISS regularly rotates its champagne selection
  10. British Airways serves Lanson Noble Cuvee Brut Millesime 2008 (~$120/bottle) in first class; British Airways currently rotates its champagne selection every few months
Japan Airlines serves phenomenal champagne in first class

As you can see, there are lots of great options here. Japan Airlines is in a league of its own in terms of serving a champagne that retails for over $1,000 per bottle. The catch is that Japan Airlines typically loads a single bottle of this champagne per flight, and then there’s a backup champagne.

So for some it will be a real gimmick, and you won’t even get a full glass. However, on some flights you’ll find that no one else drinks champagne, and you get the whole bottle to yourself (as I experienced on a recent flight).

I also think Singapore Airlines is worth calling out, as it serves multiple great champagne options on every flight in first class. Talk about a nice choice to have!

Singapore Airlines offers three champagne options

Airlines with most expensive first class champagne (lounges)

I thought it would also be interesting to cover some of the best champagne that you’ll find in the world’s top first class airline lounges. I think it’s noteworthy that a lot of the world’s best first class airlines serve phenomenal champagne in the air, but only mediocre champagne on the ground.

To me that seems pretty backwards. Ultimately great wine (including champagne) can best be enjoyed on the ground, where your taste buds are most able to appreciate taste. Furthermore, many people may prefer to enjoy a nice glass of champagne on the ground and maximize rest in the air.

Take Emirates, for example — in Emirates first class you can enjoy Dom Perignon, while in the Emirates first class lounge you can enjoy Moët, which retails for “just” ~$50/bottle.

What explains this disconnect? I imagine it’s partly a matter of controlling costs. I suppose it also comes down to some airlines letting select elite members into lounges, rather than just first class passengers, so it’s potentially a lot more passengers.

Therefore I think it’s worth highlighting the airlines that invest in good champagne on the ground, because it’s largely a different list than you’ll find in the air. Furthermore, we’ve seen several airlines cut their first class lounge champagne offerings recently. Here’s the list I’ve put together, though please let me know if I’m missing anything remarkable:

  1. Singapore Airlines serves Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2013 (~$220/bottle) in The Private Room Singapore
  2. British Airways serves Pommery Cuvee Louise Millesime 2006 (~$200/bottle) in the Concorde Room London Heathrow
  3. Air France serves Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2012 (~$230/bottle) in the La Premiere Lounge Paris
  4. American Airlines & British Airways serve an impressive rotating selection of champagne in the Chelsea Lounge New York, though it rotates constantly
The Singapore Airlines Private Room Singapore has great champagne

I think two lounge deserve a special shoutout here:

  • British Airways has long invested in great lounge champagne, in a way that very few airlines do, which is impressive
  • Perhaps the most luxurious part of the American Airlines experience is some of the champagne in the Chelsea Lounge, so it’s a highlight of the experience
The Chelsea Lounge New York has fantastic champagne

Airlines with most expensive business class champagne (inflight)

While you’ll definitely find the best champagne in first class, you’ll also find some pretty good champagne on the world’s top business class airlines. Before I share my list, let me note a couple of things:

  • I’m keeping this list to airlines offering champagne that costs more than $50 per bottle in business class (which isn’t to say that champagne over $50 is good, and champagne under $50 is bad, but I have to draw the line somewhere); that excludes what you’ll see offered on many airlines, like Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve, Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut, Laurent-Perrier Brut, etc.
  • I’d appreciate reader feedback here, as there are hundreds of airlines with business class and product offerings are constantly changing, so please let me know if I’m missing anything that meets the above criteria, or that you find to be particularly exceptional

So what airlines serve the best champagne onboard flights in business class?

  1. Starlux serves Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee (~$85/bottle) in business class
  2. EVA Air serves Duval-Leroy Clos Des Bouveries 2006 (~$70/bottle) in business class
  3. Emirates serves Veuve Clicquot Brut (~$65/bottle) in business class
  4. Qatar Airways serves Duval-Leroy Rose Prestige (~$90/bottle) and Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve (~$65/bottle)
I love that Qatar Airways serves white & rose champagne

As you can tell, Qatar Airways is consistently excellent for offering both a white and rose champagne, with the rose being pricer than the white champagne. Meanwhile two of Taiwan’s carriers deserve credit for having an excellent champagne option as well. It’s possible I’m missing some great champagne options in business class, so if I am, please let me know!

Starlux has impressive champagne in business class

Bottom line

For many premium cabin airline enthusiasts, a great drink selection is part of the overall experience. The above are the airlines serving the most expensive champagne in first class and business class.

Let me once again emphasize that the most expensive doesn’t necessarily mean the best, as taste is highly subjective. I don’t claim to be a sommelier or wine expert, though I certainly do have my preferences. And I know many are also curious about what they can expect to be served onboard, so hopefully the above is a useful rundown.

Let me also note that airlines sometimes switch around their selections and vintages, so if I missed any options or airlines made changes that I didn’t get right, please let me know.

What’s your favorite champagne served by any airline?

Conversations (43)
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  1. audreykathy Guest

    Hey Lucky! Love your blog :-) I'd appreciate if you could add SIAs Premium Economy to the list. I'm not sure if maybe AirFrance does that as well, but I think it's at least worth mentioning that in SIAs Premium Economy you have free real champagne. It's rather cheap (in Austria I saw it at ALDI/Hofer), but it still gives Premium Economy a nice touch. Didn't you once mention that AirFrance serves champagne in economy?

  2. WHS Guest

    Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut on UAL also retails for $65, same as the bottles noted for QTR and UAE.

    Likewise, Tattinger Brut on DAL retails for $65.

    Why don’t these two airlines also get included on the list? They have champagnes of equal caliber on offer.

  3. dennis Guest

    Just flew AF La Premiere from Singapore to Paris 2 weeks ago. On board they served Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle and in the First class lounge in Paris they served Rare Millesime 2015. Both very good. In Singapore Air First class they currently also offer Louis Roederer Cristal 2015. In Business they now serve Charles Heidsieck Brut reserve ( on my flight from LA to SIN) They did not have Piper Heidsieck vintage 2018 even...

    Just flew AF La Premiere from Singapore to Paris 2 weeks ago. On board they served Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle and in the First class lounge in Paris they served Rare Millesime 2015. Both very good. In Singapore Air First class they currently also offer Louis Roederer Cristal 2015. In Business they now serve Charles Heidsieck Brut reserve ( on my flight from LA to SIN) They did not have Piper Heidsieck vintage 2018 even though it was advertised in the on board menu. It is still a surprise to me that airlines spend a lot of money on expensive champagnes but they spend next to nothing on glassware. I am a certified champagne master and did many tastings where we compare the same champagne from a good glass ( tulip shaped) versus a straight glass or an outdated flute. The difference is stunning. I understand that glasses need to be cleaned in an easy way by the catering department but you think at least in first class where there are 12 seats or less they should offer better glasses. And for what it is worth , we also learned about tasting at higher altitudes. The difference on the ground and in a pressurized cabin is not so great as some people want you to believe. The taste of the champagne does not change. It is our taste buds that change. There was a taste test done a few years ago in a hot air ballon that went up to 5,000 ft. The change in taste was significantly between ground level and at 5,000 ft. But in a pressurized cabin the taste difference is by no means that great.

  4. Hiro Diamond

    As a few commented here, BR is probably the winner in terms of price tag for J. They serve a few options and the label differ depending on the route. From my recent experience flying out of BNE, they served LP Grand Siècle NV which retails no less than USD 200 a bottle on average.

  5. Alexander Guest

    I don’t think this is correct. Cathay F serves Krug vintage 2004 which costs considerably more than the non vintage Krug which SQ caters.

    This was true as of my last flight in June this year.

  6. Ella Guest

    I was gifted to fly JAL out of Tokyo, and was wowed by the Salon. The FA came around later to say there was very little left because everyone in F was drinking it, and poured me a little more. I said something about the beautiful champagne, and she emptied the bottle into my glass. I maintain that many flyers have no appreciation of good champagne beyond the price tag. Just a vanity thing.

  7. oskiboski Guest

    Maybe lot polish? i’m work polskie linie lotnicze and i nominate our Jean Louis de la Fontaine !! best in the world, in gold lounge and onboard in biz

  8. Adam Las Vegas Guest

    Do you ever fly on United Polaris. Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV is now served on United Polaris business class flights and the Polaris Lounge. It retails for $71.99 at Total Wine & More. It is wonderful. On a recent flight to TPE, I drank at least a bottle. Fun times!!!

  9. Jason Guest

    @Ben --> As you yourself acknowledge, price does not equal quality. Might I suggest you change the title of this piece to "Which Airlines Serve the Most Expensive Champagnes?"

  10. InLA Guest

    My favorite ever was DP2 on Emirates. But recently I flew UA Polaris and they now serve Laurent Perrier Brut. It was delicious and infinitely better than the Heidsieck Monopole Brut it replaced.

  11. LarryInNYC Diamond

    You write:

    "Let me emphasize that I’m not intending to suggest that something is better simply because it’s more expensive."

    But that's EXACTLY what you're doing. The article promises a list of the "best champagne" but contains a list ranked by price. If you change the title to promise a list of "most expensive champagne" your disclaimer would be more valid.

  12. TimR Guest

    My last BR flight served 2015 La Grande Dame ;)

  13. Rathgar Guest

    How about a nod to Global Airlines’ Laurent Perrier bringing luxury to a whole new level lol.

  14. Yanni Guest

    What? No Delta on these lists? Don't they proudly brag they are a premium airline?

    1. AeroB13a Diamond

      Absolutely Yanni, Delta are renowned for serving ‘Taliban Champagne’ even in coach don’t you know …. :-)

  15. Brad Guest

    I tried the LH champagne early this month. Awful, awful, awful.

  16. travelingposer Guest

    Etihad serves Billecart-Salmon 2016 in their First Class Lounge in AUH, mirroring what the serve in the air (at least as of 3/2025). Honestly, I prefer it to both the P2 and standard Dom Perignon I've had on Emirates.

  17. Flyer Guest

    Flew with Eva J a few months ago and they served Piper-Heidsieck Rare and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame. Eva may be back to serving the priciest champagnes out of all business classes out there

  18. Kkoo Guest

    Korean Air serves Piper Heidsieck Rare on J class (not all routes, seems like random, easily $200), and Henry Giraud MV ~$250 in F class

  19. kay_elemeno Member

    Ben, I recently flew JL04 from HND>JFK in F. I think they may have changed their policy and are now catering two bottles of Salon, because I can attest to having at least 7 glasses (please don't judge too much), although I don't know if others were drinking the champagne too.

    I paid 200k B6 points and I was determined to get at least 1CPP in champagne alone. I like to think I succeeded ;)

  20. Omar Guest

    Unless it was changed recently I believe Cathay serves Vintage Krug.

  21. Lou B'doux Guest

    I know that in the previous widely commented post about your 'economy' flying strategy that there was a bit of an argument about the morals of travel blogging considering your family situation(s), but I think articles like this have merit and help a lot of us when we're weighing up who to fly with. There might be a few hundred dollars difference between carriers and it helps to know some little soft product details to be better informed. Thank you!

  22. Throwawayname Guest

    To be fair to Lufthansa, last time I flew with them in F (late last year), they did serve Taittinger Comtes, and very nice it was too. Can't wait to see what they'll serve me in 10 years or whenever I am forced to fly them in F again as a result of no other airlines having award availability in business.

  23. MattFL New Member

    I'm flying Qatar FC from DOH to BKK in the coming days. The app shows the inflight menu including the wine list. For this sector the menu says they'll have the Armand Brut Gold (as noted in the post) but will also have a 2007 Bollinger La Grand Annee Brut Rose. As you highlighted the offerings are always subject to change and this seems like a nice rotation/addition.

  24. AeroB13a Guest

    Most airlines serve ‘Taliban champagne’ and if you like bubbles it will beat that French offering into a cocked hat on any flying day …. :-)

    1. AeroB13a Diamond

      Come now Tim, are you telling me that you have never partaken in a bottle of ‘Taliban Champagne”?
      I’m sure that you will have done so on numerous occasions …. :-)

  25. Ricky Guest

    I don’t think most people know or care about the quality of Champagne. I do think people appreciate having it in premium cabins. Or in economy on Air France (kudos!) I flew JL FC JFK-HND a couple of days ago and I liked the Salon but I’ve also liked other brands I’ve had throughout the years. I mean, in real life not everybody is at the level of the Crane brothers as wine connoisseurs or...

    I don’t think most people know or care about the quality of Champagne. I do think people appreciate having it in premium cabins. Or in economy on Air France (kudos!) I flew JL FC JFK-HND a couple of days ago and I liked the Salon but I’ve also liked other brands I’ve had throughout the years. I mean, in real life not everybody is at the level of the Crane brothers as wine connoisseurs or specially like Dominique Deveraux being able to tell when the Champagne is burnt.

    1. TravelinWilly Diamond

      OMG did you actually reference Dominique Deveraux?

      I'm not sure what's worse (or better), your knowing enough to namecheck her, or my appreciating the reference.

      Well played, Ricky, well played indeed.

    2. Timtamtrak Diamond

      May I also offer Patsy Stone? ;)

    3. TravelinWilly Diamond

      "May I also offer Patsy Stone?"

      Yes, yes, DEAR GOD YES!

      "You can never have enough hats, gloves, or shoes."

      -Patsy Stone

    4. Tomas Guest

      I Love Dominique Deveraux!

    5. Ella Guest

      Have they started serving Salon flying TO Tokyo now? That’s new.

  26. D3SWI33 Guest

    My most memorable was QSuites vintage Laurent Perrier Rose that was dry ,crisp , and had a strawberry finish.

  27. Justindev Guest

    So LH's champagne in first is the cheapest at $90, huh. You go LH. You're simply the best...

    1. henare Diamond

      "... better than all the rest..."

  28. GRkennedy Guest

    "I’m taking a very simple approach here, and am ranking airlines’ champagne offerings based on the retail cost of the champagne they serve."

    I stopped reading here...

    1. D3SWI33 Guest

      On the ground Lanson brut is the best bang for your buck under $50. It contains 40% of grand cru and 1er cru blend.

    2. GRkennedy Member

      Being honest - virtually any Champagne is good. Nicolas Feuillate retails at 25€ a bottle in France and it's already fantastic. Moet Imperial is about 50€ and is amazing, too.

    3. GRkennedy Member

      @Ben, I think it would have been good mentioning that AF is (to my knowledge) the only carrier serving Champagne in economy (and one of the few serving it in premium economy).

  29. Steven E Guest

    Qantas serves Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill in the air and
    Lallier Réflexion.R019 in the first class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne

  30. chris w Guest

    EVA serves LPGS in business class

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

TravelinWilly Diamond

"May I also offer Patsy Stone?" Yes, yes, DEAR GOD YES! "You can never have enough hats, gloves, or shoes." -Patsy Stone

3
Timtamtrak Diamond

May I also offer Patsy Stone? ;)

3
TravelinWilly Diamond

OMG did you actually reference Dominique Deveraux? I'm not sure what's worse (or better), your knowing enough to namecheck her, or my appreciating the reference. Well played, Ricky, well played indeed.

3
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