oneworld says cheers again as best alliance for in-flight wine

Judges at a leading international wine-tasting competition have once again raised their glasses to the oneworld alliance and many of its member airlines.

They have for the fourth year running selected oneworld as the Best Alliance for the wines served in-flight by its member airlines in the latest Cellars in the Sky Awards, run by Business Traveller magazine, in association with the International Wine Challenge.

In December, oneworld retained for the second year running the equivalent title presented in the USA, as Best Airline Alliance in Global Traveller magazine’s Wines on the Wing awards.

oneworld is also current holder of three of the leading awards presented to airline alliances overall – from Global Traveller, World Travel Awards and Australian Business Traveller.

oneworld’s members flew high in the Cellars in the Sky airline award categories, taking first prizes in seven of the 13 categories, along with 12 runners-up placings, with a further two taken by member elect Qatar Airways.  Airlines in the Star alliance achieved five first prizes and four runners-up placings, while SkyTeam members achieved one first position and two runners-up.

It is the 28th year that Cellars in the Sky Awards have been presented. A panel of four leading experts blind-tasted hundreds of wines served on longhaul flights by a 33 airlines from around the world.

oneworld’s Australian partner Qantas collected all four top prizes – Best Overall Wine Cellar, Best First Class Sparkling, Best Business Class Sparkling and Best First Class Wine List Presentation.  It was runner-up for both Best First Class Cellar and Best Business Class Cellar and in the class for Best First Class Fortified and Sweet.  

Malaysia Airlines, which joined the alliance on Friday last week, walked away with the trophy for Best First Class Cellar along with the prize for Best First Class Red.  It took also runner-up placing for Best First Class Sparkling

British Airways took top honours for Best First Class White.

Cathay Pacific collected four runners-up certificates, Finnair two and American Airlines and LAN Airlines one each.

The awards were presented last night by television wine presenter and Co-Chairman of the International Wine Challenge Charles Metcalfe at a ceremony at London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The judges comprised: Charles Metcalfe; Master of Wine and wine-making consultant Sam Harrop, Master of Wine Tim Atkin, Master of Wine and top restaurant wine consultant Peter McCrombie.