Brussels Airlines wins prestigious wine awards

First place for “Top Red Wine International Business Class” and third place for overall Top International Business Class Wines on the Wing

Brussels, August 1, 2024 – Brussels Airlines has won two prestigious awards for its wine offering in Business Class. At a blind tasting in New York, Global Traveler awarded Brussels Airlines first place for Top Red Wine in International Business Class and third place for "Top International Business Class Wines" in the Wines on the Wing competition. Brussels Airlines focuses on unique wines from smaller producers to offer an exclusive experience.

In long-haul Business Class, Brussels Airlines serves up to 900 bottles of wine per reference per month. That might sound like a lot, but compared to other larger carriers these are still relatively small quantities, allowing Brussels Airlines to work with unique, smaller wineries.

“Our overall strategy on long-haul flights is to offer an experience like a boutique hotel, but in the air. Our wine list is no exception. We often work with small independent wineries, and we try to make a very varied wine lists that always includes some more classic, French wines and some more unique or exceptional wines. This way passengers can choose for something they know they will like, or explore new tastes. And as the Belgian flag carrier, it is only natural that we also offer Belgian wines.”
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Philip Mortier, Inflight Product Manager, Brussels Airlines

To design the on-board menu, a panel of wine experts organizes once a year a two-day tasting, where over 200 wines are tasted and selected in no less than 15 different categories. The wines on offer rotate regularly and are paired with the Belgian Staf Chef menus. In total, Brussels Airlines selects 24 different wine references to serve on long-haul Business Class flights throughout the year.

Wines on the Wing Awards

This strategy for a top-notch wine list didn’t stay unnoticed. In the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey 2024, Brussels Airlines was awarded in two categories: Top Red Wine International Business Class, with Chateau Clement- Pichon Cru Bourgeois Superieur Haut Medoc 2018. The second category is Top International Business Class Wines on the Wing, there Brussels Airlines was able to score the third place.

“Brussels Airlines had both a diverse and delicious offering of wines. This is a well curated selection with a point of view that truly reflects the airline and a commitment to passengers. My personal belief is any wine list should offer both familiarity and enticing options that may be unknown to the guest offering a new and revelatory experience. I am very impressed after learning about Brussels Airlines’ selection process and offering a Belgian wine every trimester to express its “Belgitude.” ​ Well done, Brussels Airlines!”
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Tom Gannon, Competition Director, Global Traveler’s Wines on the Wing airline wine competition

Global Traveler is a media outlet based in the United States with 817,000 readers monthly. Its audience consists mostly of frequent luxury travelers. The prestigious Wines on the Wing airline wine survey, during which experts do blind tastings of a extensive selection of wines served on business- and first-class products from airlines around the world, returned in 2024 following a brief hiatus. Brussels Airlines won accolades from Wines on the Wing in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Brussels Airlines established as a premium carrier

Brussels Airlines aims to make everybody feel at home. This translates in a strategy with affordable fares in economy, but also an extensive premium offer for guests travelling in Business Class. Brussels Airlines has already been awarded six times in a row for “Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge” at the World Travel Awards and has already received awards for the wine list in Business Class in the past.

To stay on top of the league, Brussels Airlines is continuously investing in customer experience, for example with the renovated Sunrise Lounge, upgraded premium amenity kits, and an upgraded meal offer on short-haul Business Class flights.

For passengers travelling in Economy Class, Brussels Airlines differentiates itself from low-cost competition with amenities such as free hand luggage, seating families together as much as possible and offering a top-notch digital product with a very user-friendly app.

Nico Cardone

Nico Cardone

For media requests only

 

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com