Austrian Airlines: 300 Austrian Wine Experts Create
Unique Culinary Experiences with New Austrian Wine Selection
Successful completion of the training program increases the number of certified Wine Experts at Austrian Airlines to 300
Perfect timing for the launch of the new wine concept featuring four seasonal Wine Cycles
Personalized advice and individual wine experiences with 34 selected Austrian wineries at 10,000 meters above sea level
A special milestone worth celebrating: 300 colleagues have now earned the title of “Austrian Wine Expert,” further strengthening Austrian Airlines’ role as a flying ambassador of Austria’s wine and culinary culture. The latest graduates of the training program, which was first launched in 2024 in cooperation with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (ÖWM), were honored in early November for their exceptional commitment and extensive wine expertise. Certificates were personally presented by Chris Yorke, Managing Director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (ÖWM), and Peter Moser of Falstaff, together with representatives of the Austrian Airlines cabin division.
With 300 certified Wine Experts now on board, Austrian Airlines is sending a strong signal in support of service excellence and authentic Austrian hospitality. The specially trained cabin crew members combine in-depth knowledge of Austrian wines with passion, personality, and outstanding service standards.
For guests on board, this means far more than receiving a wine recommendation. They enjoy authentic, high-quality guidance, fascinating insights into Austrian wine culture, and carefully curated culinary moments throughout their journey.
The timing of this successful training initiative could hardly be better. Austrian Airlines has recently introduced a new annual wine selection that follows not only a clear strategic and regional approach but also a seasonal one. Chosen from more than 600 wines that were submitted and tasted during the selection process, the wines have been assigned to four distinct cycles and rotate throughout the year to reflect autumn, winter, spring, and summer. A total of 34 wineries from Austria’s wine-growing regions are represented in the new annual wine portfolio.
This approach not only ensures a diverse and dynamic onboard offering but also introduces passengers to the remarkable diversity of Austria’s wine culture.
The selection ranges from classic Austrian grape varieties such as the peppery Grüner Veltliner and the aromatic Muskateller to the distinctive Blaufränkisch. Alongside these well-known classics, passengers can also look forward to discovering lesser-known Austrian specialties such as Rotgipfler, Zierfandler, and Neuburger. In doing so, Austrian Airlines brings a broad spectrum of wine styles to the skies, carefully curated by experts who take into account the fact that taste and acidity perception change significantly at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
About Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is Austria’s leading airline with a worldwide route network of more than 120 destinations. With its hub at Vienna Airport, Austrian Airlines connects Austria with Europe and the whole world. As Austria’s flag carrier, Austrian Airlines embodies highest service quality and acts responsibly to society and the environment. Austrian Airlines aims to achieve a neutral CO2 balance by 2050 through reduction and compensation measures. Already by 2030, Austrian wants to halve its net CO2 emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. Austrian Airlines’ environmental management has been validated according to the EMAS standard since 2023.
Austrian Airlines is part of Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline group, and a member of the Star Alliance, the first global group of international airlines.