In recent times, we’ve seen US airlines greatly improving their business class soft product, as they increasingly compete for premium travelers by focusing on the little touches.
Just on the champagne front, we’ve seen all of the “big three” US carriers launch exciting collaborations — American is partnering with Bollinger, Delta is partnering with Taittinger, and United is partnering with Laurent-Perrier. However, beyond champagne, it seems that one airline is investing more in its wine selection than others, and deserves some credit…
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United serving $200 per bottle red wine in Polaris?!?
United publishes its inflight menus and drink lists on the flight status page of the app, so you can see what the airline is currently serving. Find Flights For Me (which does a great job sharing award availability, and is worth following) flags something that I’d consider to be pretty incredible.
United is currently serving The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 in Polaris business class on select routes. For example, you’ll see it on today’s flight from Washington (IAD) to Tokyo (HND).
This retails for $180+ per bottle, so by the time you pay sales tax, we’re talking about over $200 per bottle. And this is the retail cost, and not what you’d pay in a restaurant or bar (where you’d expect to pay somewhere around 2-3x the retail price).
This is without a doubt the most expensive wine I’ve ever seen a US airline serve in business class. For that matter, this is more in line with the wine I’d expect in Emirates first class, rather than business class on any airline (Emirates is in a league of its own when it comes to its wine investment).
Let me of course add the caveat that quality and price aren’t always the same, but you can expect that on average, a $200 wine will be more well regarded than a $20 wine, especially when you’re not being given a check when you’re poured a glass (like on a plane). 😉
United is taking the lead with wine, but what about food?
Obviously not all Polaris business class wines are as expensive as this one. However, anecdotally I’d say that at this point, United’s wine program is much better than what you’ll find at American or Delta (despite Delta’s premium claim, the airline has often been among the least competitive with wine).
Airlines pay nowhere close to retail cost for these kinds of wines, but still, an airline isn’t getting $200 per bottle wine for free, so it does represent a significant investment.
What I find so unusual about United’s approach to Polaris business class is that catering continues to be pretty weak. While the airline has indicated it will invest more in this area, it doesn’t look like meaningful improvements have been made, especially compared to what catering was like back when Polaris was launched, nearly a decade ago.
Bottom line
United is currently serving a $200 per bottle wine in Polaris business class on select flights, which is pretty remarkable. While that’s not anywhere close to the average cost of United wine, there’s no denying that the airline does a good job in this area, at least compared to its two biggest rivals.
I’ve never heard of any airline serving a wine in business class at that price point, even outside the United States.
To those who are frequent Polaris business class flyers, what’s your impression of the carrier’s evolving wine program?
I enjoy a good wine. I suspect this would be one of the CA reds that is pricey, but not to my liking (unlike Dominus). Regardless, UA if you're going to spend more money on J food and beverage, pick food.
The people that get excited by $200 bottles of wine, are the same people excited by Johnnie Walker Blue. Neither of them really know anything about what they are drinking, and are likely impressed by the price alone.
And there are insecure entitled snobs who think they are better than other people, are the same people thinking their taste preference is center of the world.
Neither of them really know anything about what they are drinking, and are likely impressed by the overcompensating with ad hominem alone.
@MJS, I won't disagree with that statement, but the reality is that some of the people making those purchasing decisions for airlines and other service providers aren't that knowledgeable about the products they're buying. I prefer a $60 bottle of Tomatin, or maybe some Bushmills expression costing even less, over JW Blue but there's no shortage of airlines serving JW Black or other questionable blends even if their overall standard of catering is quite high....
@MJS, I won't disagree with that statement, but the reality is that some of the people making those purchasing decisions for airlines and other service providers aren't that knowledgeable about the products they're buying. I prefer a $60 bottle of Tomatin, or maybe some Bushmills expression costing even less, over JW Blue but there's no shortage of airlines serving JW Black or other questionable blends even if their overall standard of catering is quite high. In that context, I wouldn't mind an expensive drink which at least is better than what I might be served elsewhere!
Napa valley wines are consistently over priced and underwhelming. Mostly just hype and marketing with very little substance, like all things American.
How dare you criticize overpriced American products.
We proudly over pay for anything. Not just Harlan the Ghost Eagle.
Our V12 trucks proud owners who never tow anything more than a grocery trip to Costco and always on a paved road.
Insurance and healthcare.
Textbook, education and student loans.
Basic Economy tickets.
Concert tickets.
Superbowl tickets.
Baseball cards!!!!!!!
And we compensate overpriced items with tariffs and seize oil reserve.
Other airlines should pay attention, both to what United is doing, but also to the overall wine business. There’s been a significant contraction in the wine industry overall, and wineries of all sorts - including the cult wineries - will be newly motivated to move product at a better price than would ever have been possible in recent memory. I think this is a smart move by United, but I suspect what’s behind it is...
Other airlines should pay attention, both to what United is doing, but also to the overall wine business. There’s been a significant contraction in the wine industry overall, and wineries of all sorts - including the cult wineries - will be newly motivated to move product at a better price than would ever have been possible in recent memory. I think this is a smart move by United, but I suspect what’s behind it is they are getting more calls than normal from wineries. Having said all that, I fly Polaris fairly frequently, and just in the last few weeks, the beverage carts have been full of wines that were not what was published, and were definitely not at the same level. So, be excited by what’s on the menu, but definitely temper your expectations.
There is a glut of California wines, and the Canadian Liquor boards are no longer importing them about 10% of total sales. You don’t go from serving 14$ plonk on UA unless you got the deal of the decade.
I had a 2022 Catena Zapata Argentino (~$80-90) on the menu on my flight a couple of weeks ago, which got me excited to try it. The thing was, it wasn't actually available on the plane. They had a cheap Bordeaux in its stead. That wasn't the first time I've encountered such a situation, so keep your expectations low - what's on the menu may not actually be available.
The Mascot is a very solid producer, and 2019 is regarded as a very good vintage (the fire-affected one was 2020's). Impressive to see this served on UA tbh.
I think the food has actually improved. Maybe not enough, eg they need to improve their salad. But the mains are typically decent. Not close however to the meals in the Polaris restaurants which are pretty great- I eat in the restaurant before boarding and go straight to sleep on transatlantic flights.
This is the way. The seats and bedding are good and the food in the Polaris lounge is way better than what’s onboard
What's really special is being in F on a CRJ 500 and getting the canned wine they serve now. The stuff tasted like orangutang piss.
Let me be the first to ask how you know, David, you know, orangutan piss. Inquiring minds want to know.
And does the same orangutans piss red, white, and sparkling?
Inquiring minds want to know.
For red wine lovers …. anyone tried Penfolds Bin 389?
Who would dare try the Bin 389 when a Bin 95 drinker is accused of never crossing the Atlantic let alone set foot on BA planes.
Now go piss on Polaris for the better way of flying DEN-LHR.
Man they got this stuff from Aldi on sale. Spend money on the food, not wine.
Wine will kill you and is bad for your health. Drink water you imbeciles.
United has served Shafer TD-9 on a number of flights I've had with them. At $70/bottle that's nothing to sneeze at either.
Wine has always seemed like such an easy thing to do well, and it's great for word-of-mouth marketing amongst bougie circles.
I boycott American products and prefer a 30 euro Côte du Rhône over some overpriced US plunk
Before the vicious backlog starts this is partly tongue in cheek as altitude blunts taste so unless you are drinking while taxiing the wine thing is mostly marketing flex
Are you chewing gum?
I've long felt that AA food is underrated. Not quite as nice as Delta's, but head and shoulders above United. I once had a Polaris Cod dish from Amsterdam that was so overcooked I saw the muscle fibers splitting like when you break a piece of wood. I couldn't finish it.
I just came back biz class, DFW-EZE and food was inedible. And I thought the new flagship suites were horrible. On return, I had old suites and enjoyed it more.
When United or AA are coordinating their meals with say Gate Gourmet, I wonder if GG looks at what UA wants to serve and suggest a similar more appetizing alternative, and UA is like nah, we'll go with the slop. I mean GG caters to international carriers with good food, so it's not really an ability issue.
I think this is ultimately on United and not their contracted caterers. Whatever executive is in charge of United's food either has no taste (like...they either have the lowest bar for food quality, or don't care, or don't understand what competitors are doing), is incompetent at managing contracts to get more for their budget, is incompetent at managing politics inside United to get more budget, or all of the above. In any case they should...
I think this is ultimately on United and not their contracted caterers. Whatever executive is in charge of United's food either has no taste (like...they either have the lowest bar for food quality, or don't care, or don't understand what competitors are doing), is incompetent at managing contracts to get more for their budget, is incompetent at managing politics inside United to get more budget, or all of the above. In any case they should be fired and replaced with someone who actually has a vision for what they can do with food and cares.
Whoever is doing the wine program has figured out how to do a lot inside this airline and if it's the same person, they should hire someone else to focus on food...
Had this last night on SCL-IAH - not a wine guy so no idea it was so expensive. Tasted nice of course.
On the food side, yes Polaris food is generally still not in any way leading but often is perfectly fine these days. It certainly has improved in the past 12-18 months (though from what I gather not every flight/station gets the better menu still).
Let's not get too excited. This is a blend of left overs from other vineyards. Doesn't make it a bad wine, in fact these blends can be quite yummy. But this isn't a wine from a single farm or grower, they just sold off their juice to make a nice blend.
I also suspect (since it is 2019) that these were picked just before the Napa fires and were at risk for smoke infiltrating...
Let's not get too excited. This is a blend of left overs from other vineyards. Doesn't make it a bad wine, in fact these blends can be quite yummy. But this isn't a wine from a single farm or grower, they just sold off their juice to make a nice blend.
I also suspect (since it is 2019) that these were picked just before the Napa fires and were at risk for smoke infiltrating the grapes. Generally for a Napa Cab, 2019 is a bit early to drink, but should be OK as long as you drink it now. The longer you wait, the more the smoke will come out in the taste (which is not desirable). So United got a good deal on wine that needed to be consumed soon.
It's not leftovers, it's made from the young vines that eventually supply cult-followed wines like Harlan and Bond. Are you seriously trying to say this isn't a flex? Given that their program also has seen Shafer, Domaine Serene, Stony Hill and others I think it's safe to say they're not looking for leftovers in their program.
If the growers didn't bottle it themselves, it's leftovers
Also, 2020 was the vintage that was affected by fire (for those who picked late-ish in the season), not 2019.
But the growers (Harlan) do bottle it themselves.
United’s dismal catering is what keeps me from flying them. I like United but their food is crap.
Eating in the lounge is the move
Will, “Polaris is a well-rounded product and the food really isn't that bad… but I still feel spoiled every time I am on Polaris”
Kevin M, “Was lucky enough to spot this on my flight to Sydney a few days ago and enjoyed a whole bottle’s worth over 6 or so hours. I’m not a wine snob by any means but it was noticeably excellent compared to what you’d otherwise expect.”
UA has really upped...
Will, “Polaris is a well-rounded product and the food really isn't that bad… but I still feel spoiled every time I am on Polaris”
Kevin M, “Was lucky enough to spot this on my flight to Sydney a few days ago and enjoyed a whole bottle’s worth over 6 or so hours. I’m not a wine snob by any means but it was noticeably excellent compared to what you’d otherwise expect.”
UA has really upped their international food and wine game recently, and Polaris is great and getting better with the new studios/suites that are coming in 20 new 787-9s being delivered in 2026. Can’t wait for the Starlink. 285 two-class UAX RJs (almost all of them) now have Starlink Wifi and it is awesome!
Tell us your thoughts on ME3+
Never flown on them.
Lipstick on a pig.
But still better than AA these days.
I don't make that much of it. They got a good deal on champagne (I wouldn't be surprised if it was, in fact free, given the freewill the wine industry is in), so they have the champagne. On the available facts, whoever makes the food/wine decisions at United must have a turtle's anus for a palate, so I doubt they'd be able to taste the difference between $200 Laurant-Perrier/Krug/etc. and $5 Corbel.
..freefall, not freewill. fsck autocorrect..
I have to admit I find it funny that you wrote an article explaining where to see United in-flight menus, despite not having added them to your list of airlines that publish in-flight menus a month ago and despite most of the comments on that article being about United being missing.
UA publishes menus to the public? Or is it only once you have purchased a ticket can you access the menu?
For flights in the next few days, you can see menus for any flight in Flight Status in the United app. (On the food side, that generally means if you have a flight later the same month then the food menu is going to be the same; not sure how often the wine lists change.)
You do know that disqualifies Ben from adding UA to the list of airlines that let you preview menus without having to buy a ticket first?
In my experience, expensive wine on planes tastes exactly the same as cheap wine. (Well, maybe not QUITE as bad as the watered down paint thinner they sell in small bottles in economy.) Dry, thin air wreaks havoc on your ability to taste.
The Pinot Grigio that KLM served me in C on a flight to FCO wasn't just bad- it was a positively traumatic experience and was a lot worse than what's in some €2.50 Lidl bottles or €1,80 copas at suburban bars in provincial Spain.
This oft repeated canard is just moronic. If you can't taste the difference, don't blame the altitude. You probably just don't have the palette.
United is not paying $180/bottle, more like $100-$120/bottle.
And that’s still impresssive - well done UA - even if it’s paying $30 for great wines
Interesting, but note, price of wine is seriously inflated vs. what UA might be paying for it. There's a wine glut at moment and many labels are giving it away wholesale.
The other thing is that their food side falls flat. I had C Japanese meal to NRT recently, and it looked like a child's meal with a few cut carrots decorating the plate. They need to stop cheaping out on food, especially when...
Interesting, but note, price of wine is seriously inflated vs. what UA might be paying for it. There's a wine glut at moment and many labels are giving it away wholesale.
The other thing is that their food side falls flat. I had C Japanese meal to NRT recently, and it looked like a child's meal with a few cut carrots decorating the plate. They need to stop cheaping out on food, especially when you pre-order. The whole point is to give you and them better selection, certainty, and confidence it will be enjoyed. Why not have even more choices if pre-order, like Book-the-cook?
AA is kinda doing their own thing, but it's pretty wild lately how much UA has been pulling ahead of DL
Well, maybe in some ways, but United's catering is shockingly bad. Just BAD.
RF gets it. United is not known for the food. Not at all.
@1990
this isn't a read, I'm genuinely curious.
How often do you fly business class? You have a lot of comments about it yet seem to spend your entire weekdays commenting on aviation articles suggesting you don't have a particularly strenuous job that requires much attention.
@MaxPower
Nepo trust inheritance.
Or
Never trust internet.
On Champagne, surprisingly, United made the best choice, Laurent-Perrier over Bollinger and Taittinger. You'd think Delta, with it's Air France partnership, would have been better advised. Hon hon...
Laurent-Perrier/Bollinger/Taittinger Really got any distinct difference? Laurent-Perrier is cheaper than Taittinger though, that's all I am aware of.
Polaris is a well-rounded product and the food really isn't that bad. Maybe I'm just not rich enough to be spoiled yet by the truly World-Beating products like Etihad The Residence and Delta One on a Boeing 767-400ER, but I still feel spoiled every time I am on Polaris
United loves to advertise premium stuff like this, but when you actually fly the routes they almost never have any available.
On the contrary, UA didn't advertise this but fellow travelers have spotted ourselves.
Was lucky enough to spot this on my flight to Sydney a few days ago and enjoyed a whole bottle’s worth over 6 or so hours. I’m not a wine snob by any means but it was noticeably excellent compared to what you’d otherwise expect.
Eskimo, is this the real you, or the imitator? O.G. 1990 asking.
Yeah it was on my flight from NRT last week and didn't realize what it was honestly. I do think if they're going to invest in wine like this (beyond champagne), they need to market it better. Another flight last year they were serving a nice Freemark Abbey cab. I'm consistently finding very good wine options even if not widely publicized.
I saw this first on FlyerTalk's '2026 Let's Eat ? Polaris Business' thread which is a great place to see what you might be getting, since UA doesn't publish menus 30 days out like AA. The thread also hilariously describes some of the food as inedible (or at least they do in the 2025 thread). Hopefully they still have it another month or so, although I would speculate they got a killer deal and/or are just looking for some fun buzz.
They publish menus on all routes 30 days out! If you are booked on the flight you can see it, and if not, you can see it on flight status page in the app for that day if you look up the route.