British Airways will be the first airline to serve this exclusive sparkling wine

British Airways will serve these unique sparkling wines

By Mark Reif Published March 28, 2025

Fifty One Degrees North 2016 by Gusbourne — Fifty One Degrees North 2016 by Gusbourne British Airways

British Airways will be the first airline to serve award-winning prestige cuvée English sparkling wine in flight. The airline will also offer original sparkling variations from trailblazing English wine houses each quarter. The service begins on March 30 and is offered to First and Club World (business class) passengers on long-haul flights.

British Airways brings pioneering wines to the sky

British Airways

For the program, British Airways is working with pioneering English sparkling wine houses like Gusbourne, Nyetimber, and Sugrue South Downs for rotational offerings. The airline has also developed a curated selection of prestige cuvée Champagnes for First Class passengers, including the popular Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle. To prepare, over 1,300 cabin crew colleagues completed British Airways’ First Service Specialist training program, including a bespoke masterclass from the airline’s Master of Wine.

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Starting March 30, First Class passengers can try 1086 by Nyetimber Rosé 2014, with a summer-like flavor. In October, that’s followed by 1086 by Nyetimber 2014, which is the first-ever English prestige cuvée.

Club World passengers can enjoy rotational offerings of premium English sparkling wines. Currently, that includes Digby Fine English’s Brut NV. In July, Gusbourne’s 2019 Vintage Rosé will be offered.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “We are proud to lead the way in championing provenance and British originality, as we continue to work with the very best wine producers across England and beyond for our customers to enjoy both on the ground and in the air. We have selected the highest quality of wines with our customers’ expectations in mind and more than a thousand of our incredible colleagues have undergone specialist training to deliver our award-winning wines through world-class service, every time they fly with us.”

Mark Reif is a writer from Stowe, Vermont. During the winter, he works as a snowboard coach and rides more than 100 days. The…

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First things first, the price of a first-class ticket can vary depending on the different factors at play. But there is a general range, so let’s break it down a bit.
The airline and route
The cost of a first-class ticket depends mainly on the airline and the route you’re taking. For example, on a popular international route like New York to London, a first-class ticket can range from $4,000 to $7,000, sometimes even more. If you’re flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo, that price tag can jump to $14,000 or more. These prices fluctuate based on the airline’s pricing structure and the demand for seats on that specific flight.
The flight duration
Another big factor is the length of the flight. The longer the journey, the more expensive the first-class ticket tends to be. A shorter domestic flight might cost somewhere in the range of $1,000 for a first-class seat, while international flights that can last 10 hours or more could easily push into the $8,000-$15,000 range for first class.
When you book your flight
Timing also plays a big role in the cost of your first-class ticket. The Luxury Travel Expert recommends booking your flight as early as possible to secure the best deals. So if you book months in advance, you’ll probably find better fares. However, airlines do occasionally offer last-minute discounts or promotions to fill seats, although this isn’t always the case. It’s always best to plan ahead, but keep an eye out for any deals, especially during off-peak travel seasons.
The time of year
Airline ticket prices also vary depending on the time of year. Traveling during peak times, like the holidays or summer vacation, will typically result in higher prices. Airlines usually raise prices to accommodate the increased demand during these periods.
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