Korean Air's In-Flight Wine List Earns Five Honors in Global Traveler Competition

Korean Air's premium cabin wine program has picked up five honors in this year's "Wines on the Wing" competition, an annual ranking run by U.S. business travel publication Global Traveler that benchmarks in-flight wine offerings across major international carriers. The airline disclosed the results on August 4, days after the winners were unveiled on August 1.

Now marking its 20th year, the competition relies on blind tastings conducted by wine experts, who this year assessed premium-class selections from airlines worldwide across 20 distinct categories. Korean Air's strongest showing came in the business class wine list category, where its Prestige Class selection took the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the breadth of regions and styles represented, along with how well the wines paired with the carrier's onboard menu.

The airline also placed second for its first class wine list overall. Individual bottles drew additional recognition: a 2023 Chablis Premier Cru ranked second among business class whites, while a Krug champagne and a 2020 Chardonnay each took third in separate first class categories.

Global Traveler's leadership drew comparisons to fine dining, noting the caliber of Korean Air's selections rivals what diners might find at Michelin-starred restaurants in major cities.

The wins add to a growing set of external benchmarks airlines use to differentiate premium cabins, where dining and beverage service have become a competitive factor for carriers courting long-haul business and first class travelers, particularly on Asia-Pacific routes.