Air India has upgraded its inflight beverage offerings on international routes, expanding its selection of wines, sparkling wines and premium spirits as global airlines intensify competition for long-haul passengers and higher-yield premium cabins.
The revised beverage menu strengthens Air India’s wine, Champagne and single malt whisky lineup and adds categories such as tequila and beer, reflecting a broader effort to align onboard service with international premium standards, the airline said.
In First Class, the updated selection focuses on high-end and limited-availability labels, including Aberfeldy 21-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, Hennessy VSOP cognac, Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs Champagne and Italian wines such as Brunello di Montalcino from Antinori. The airline said the offering is designed to reinforce the exclusivity and premium positioning of its top cabin.
Business Class passengers will have access to brands including Roku Gin from Japan, Charles Heidsieck Brut Champagne, Bottega Gold Prosecco and Château Teyssier Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, maintaining a lineup of internationally recognised wines and spirits aimed at meeting expectations for quality and consistency.
Air India has also adjusted its offerings in lower cabins. Premium Economy will introduce Prosecco sparkling wine as a welcome drink for the first time, while Economy Class will feature a broad but cost-controlled range of international brands, including Bordeaux red and white wines, Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky, Bombay Sapphire gin, Absolut vodka, Caribbean rum, Heineken beer and India’s domestic brand Kingfisher Ultra.
Rajesh Dogra, Air India’s chief customer experience officer, said the revised beverage programme is intended to better reflect the preferences of international travellers and complement the airline’s updated inflight dining menu.
“The thoughtfully curated beverage portfolio brings together some of the finest wines and spirits to appeal to global travellers as Air India continues its focus on driving service excellence and customer-centricity,” said Dogra.
As part of the update, Air India has introduced a Regional Wine Programme, linking selected wines to route destinations in an effort to incorporate regional identity and storytelling into inflight service. The airline has also implemented a structured food-and-wine pairing system, matching specific wines, including Napa Valley Chardonnay and German Riesling, with onboard dishes.
Cabin crew have received additional training to support the programme and assist passengers with wine recommendations during flights, the airline said.
The upgrade also comes as the European Union and India have recently reached a trade agreement in principle that includes plans to significantly reduce tariffs on wines and spirits, a move expected to lower costs and expand selection over time.
Founded in 1932, Air India launched India’s civil aviation history when J.R.D. Tata piloted its first flight. After about seven decades under government ownership, the airline returned to the Tata Group in 2022. The Air India Group now employs more than 30,000 people, operates a fleet of more than 300 aircraft, and serves 57 domestic and 48 international destinations across five continents.
The beverage upgrade is part of a wider brand and service overhaul that includes the introduction of new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and revised international menus, as the airline seeks to rebuild its global image.
Across the aviation industry, inflight beverages are not a major source of profit but play a significant role in shaping brand perception, premium pricing and customer loyalty. Airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Japan Airlines have in recent years expanded their wine and spirits programmes and invested in sommelier-style crew training.
Some Western carriers have reported that wine consumption onboard exceeds that of beer and spirits. United Airlines said in 2024 that it served more than 20 million glasses of wine annually on its flights.
