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My last two working trips have taken me from North America across the Pacific to Australia and New Zealand. Figuring I’d at least like to get to and from my destinations, I avoided booking flights on Oceanic Airlines or Ajira Airways, instead flying on Qantas and Air New Zealand.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should point out here that my business-class tickets were provided by the respective wine boards of these two countries, where I had intense schedules of vineyard visits, conferences and seminars lined up for virtually every hour. But regardless of how I got in the front of those planes, once there, I was seriously impressed by the range of vinous offerings.
These airlines take their wine programs seriously, publishing booklets detailing the wines you might choose from while on board (the Qantas version is available online). The selections range from sparkling wines to dessert wines, with reds and whites in between, focused primarily on their home countries, but making some minor allowances (on my flights, for example, Air New Zealand’s fortified red was a Port).
Both airlines utilize panels of respected experts to choose the wines. In the case of Qantas, it’s an all-winemaker team of Tom Carson (Yabby Lake, Mornington Peninsula), Vanya Cullen (Cullen, Margaret River) and Stephen Pannell (S.C. Pannell, McLaren Vale). Air NZ taps winemakers John Belsham (Foxes Island, Marlborough) and Kate Radburnd (C.J. Pask, Hawkes Bay), plus wine judge Jim Harre.
The normal advice regarding jet lag suggests abstinence is the better part of valor, but I sipped a few tastes of nearly every wine on offer during my flights–all in the name of research, of course. All, from the Deutz sparkling wine (New Zealand) to the Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (McLaren Vale-Coonawarra), were solid and characterful wines I’d be happy to serve to guests.
Although the food–despite the best efforts of celebrity culinary consultants Neil Perry (Rockpool, Sydney) and a trio of Kiwi chefs–was still airline food, the high quality of the wines made the meals seem much more satisfying.
How about you? Do you have any airline food/wine stories to share?
Filed under: Travel
8 Comments
February 17th, 2010 at 5:02:24 PM
Iberia is major league scary! Ate a couple of those finger sandwiches in their VIP lounge and then spent most of the flight from Madrid to JFK sicker than a dog. Any more details would be TMI.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:14:52 PM
So which was best Joe??? AirNZ or Qantas? And how did you enjoy the flat white coffees made by baristas in the Air NZ lounges? ;0)
February 17th, 2010 at 9:29:21 PM
@Katy,
I have a slight preference for Air NZ, but it has nothing to do with the food, drink or baristas. In fact, the Qantas food might have a slight edge over Air NZ.
For me, the key is the full-flat bed. Even though the Qantas seats are larger and go to *almost* flat, I never sleep quite as well on them.
The truth is that both of these airlines blow away any of the domestic business class services I’ve been on in the U.S.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:38:28 PM
Foodwise – I had very decent food on Cathay Pacific some years back. Otherwise, I usually follow Joe’s style and try everything on the wine list on both Qantas and Air NZ! Has always made for a very relaxing and long flights.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:08:03 PM
Air NZ is apparently introducing flat beds in economy (although I guess when they say that they mean premium economy) in November. First airline to do so. I am SOOOO looking forward to that!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:57:43 PM
Hi Joe,
How many wines on offer with Air New Zealand on your business class trip?
I flew Air NZ business class to Brisbane last year at my own expense although it was a very good deal from an Air NZ sale. I had heard about the Air NZ wine booklet but had to ask for it and after a search of the plane the cabin attendant on the return journey, coincidentally the same person as on the outwards journey, gave me her own copy but it was the previous year’s booklet.
On each leg there were six wines – a bubbles before leaving the ground, two whites, two reds and a sweet wine. The wines were good, the service was good but there was no list of the day’s offerings – only a food menu. I think the booklet may only be available on longer haul journeys.
Anyway, FWIW, I’d travel I’d travel Air NZ business class any time – or maybe premium economy, which does not have flat beds, but does have the business class service. Not sure if I’d want to travel the new ‘cuddle class’.
Sorry to miss you in NZ this time.
Cheers,
Sue
February 21st, 2010 at 3:46:37 PM
Hi Joe,
How many wines on offer with Air New Zealand on your business class trip?
I flew Air NZ business class to Brisbane last year at my own expense although it was a very good deal from an Air NZ sale. I had heard about the Air NZ wine booklet but had to ask for it and after a search of the plane the cabin attendant on the return journey, coincidentally the same person as on the outwards journey, gave me her own copy but it was the previous year’s booklet.
On each leg there were six wines – a bubbles before leaving the ground, two whites, two reds and a sweet wine. The wines were good, the service was good but there was no list of the day’s offerings – only a food menu. I think the booklet may only be available on longer haul journeys.
Anyway, FWIW, I’d travel I’d travel Air NZ business class any time – or maybe premium economy, which does not have flat beds, but does have the business class service.
Sorry to miss you in NZ this time.
Cheers,
Sue
February 25th, 2010 at 4:39:41 PM
Sue,
My recollection is that there were 8 wines: 2 each sparkling, white, red, sweet. Perhaps there is a slightly larger selection and better promotion of the program on the long-haul flights.
Next trip I will schedule in some down time. Five years is too long between visits.
Joe