High-flying wines: Austrian Airlines now has more than 100 Austrian Wine Experts to ensure the best in-flight wine experience. The experts have been trained and qualified in a joint initiative by Austrian Airlines and the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Austrian Wine). From now on, these experts will be providing Business Class passengers with professional advice on Austrian wines. There will be an Austrian Wine Expert on board every long-haul flight from 2026 onwards.
Austrian Wine is a long-standing partner of Austrian Airlines. A new chapter in this successful partnership began in 2024. More than 100 flight attendants and cabin supervisors have now been trained as Austrian Wine Experts. Austrian Wine ran a multi-day training course on wine, which has taught these employees the skills to convey the diversity, quality and character of Austrian wines to Austrian Airlines passengers. Over the course of three modules – wine knowledge, sensory skills & tasting and service & communication – participants learnt everything they needed to know about wine, from wine-growing regions to types and categories of wine, as well as tips on wine pairing and making recommendations to passengers.
“We are delighted that this Austrian Wine Experts initiative has enabled us to bring our long-established partnership with Austrian Airlines onto an even higher level,” Chris Yorke, Austrian Wine CEO announced. “The Austrian wine culture is like no other in the world and an integral part of our national identity. The Austrian Wine Experts will play a significant role in enabling Austrian Airline guests from around the world to discover our outstanding wines before they’ve even landed.”
Professional wine recommendations in Business Class
Austrian Wine Experts will be working in Business Class on Austrian Airlines’ short and long-haul flights. The number of experts is expected to rise to 250 by 2026. This will mean that at least one Austrian Wine Expert can be on board every Austrian Airlines long-haul flight to ensure that Business Class passengers receive the best possible wine recommendations. Austrian Wine Experts can be recognised by a special lapel badge reflecting the red-and-white-striped banderole of Austrian wine bottles, which will be pinned to their traditional red uniform. They will also be entitled to wear a special badge bearing the title “Austrian Wine Expert”.
“We are very proud that more than 100 members of our cabin crews have already been trained as Austrian Wine Experts,” confirmed Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann. “With this new facet of our distinctive service quality, we are inspiring international guests on board to discover the culinary treasures of Austria. At the same time, the Austrian Wine Experts bring a piece of home and lived tradition to the world for all Austrians.”
Austrian Wine Experts always up to date
The flight attendants’ wine training doesn’t come to an end once they receive their certificate. Austrian Wine Experts are part of the Wine Expert Community, which means that the regional bodies of the Austrian wine-growing regions will also invite them to hone their wine skills and take part in wine tastings in Austria. This will ensure that the Austrian Wine Experts are always bang up to date with what is happening in the dynamic world of wine and can convey their knowledge to Austrian Airlines passengers
