- More than 100 members of the Austrian Airlines cabin crews have already completed the training course
- By 2026, there should be an Austrian Wine Expert on every long-haul flight
- Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann: ‘We are very proud that more than 100 members of our cabin crews have already been trained as Austrian Wine Experts. With this additional 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 living tradition to the world for all Austrians.’
Austrian Airlines is expanding its service offerings in Business Class with a special facet: As part of a partnership with Österreich Wein Marketing GmbH (ÖWM), interested flight attendants and pursers have been trained as Austrian Wine Experts over the past few months. In a multi-day training course, the wine competency of the participants was developed, enabling the graduates to introduce Austrian Airlines passengers to the diversity, quality, and character of Austrian wines. In three modules – Wine Knowledge, Sensory & Tasting, and Service and Communication – participants learn interesting facts about wine, including regions of cultivation, types and categories of wine, structural characteristics, food and wine pairing recommendations, and wine consulting for guests. This further elevates the distinctive positioning of the Austrian Airlines cabin crews as passionate hosts to an even higher level, making the flying experience for Austrian Airlines passengers even more diverse.
Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann: ‘We are very proud that more than 100 members of our cabin crews have already been trained as Austrian Wine Experts. 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.’
Keep an eye out for the Austrian Wine Experts!
Currently, Austrian Airlines has more than 100 certified Austrian Wine Experts among its approximately 2,500 flight attendants. By 2026, this number is expected to grow to around 250 – representing 10 percent of the cabin crews of Austrian Airlines. The Austrian Wine Experts are deployed in Business Class on both short- and long-haul flights of Austrian Airlines. By 2026, at least one Austrian Wine Expert should be on board every long-haul flight to ensure the best possible wine consultation for Business Class guests. The Austrian Wine Experts can be recognized by a special pin that represents the label of an Austrian wine bottle, worn on the typical red uniform. Additionally, all graduates of the certification program receive their own badge that identifies them as Austrian Wine Experts.
Austrian Wine Experts in tune with the times
With the certification, the engagement with the topic of wine is far from over for the more than 100 flight attendants who are currently certified. Austrian Wine Experts are part of the Wine Expert Community. They are invited to further training sessions by Austrian wine regions and have the opportunity to participate in wine tasting fairs in Austria. This ensures that the Austrian Wine Experts remain up to date in the vibrant wine industry and can pass on this knowledge to the guests of Austrian Airlines.
Chris Yorke, Managing Director of Österreich Wein Marketing GmbH: ‘We are very pleased that we have been able to elevate our long-standing collaboration with Austrian Airlines to a new level with the Austrian Wine Experts. The Austrian wine culture is unique worldwide and an essential part of our identity. The Austrian Wine Experts will play a significant role in ensuring that the guests of Austrian Airlines from all over the world get to know our excellent wines even while on board!’
The Austrian Wine Experts are another step for the red-white-red airline to offer its guests culinary service at the highest level. For example, since April 2023, Flying Chefs have been on board long-haul flights. These chefs, employed by Do&Co, have been delighting Business Class guests with culinary experiences on the airline’s long-haul destinations. In addition, there is the Viennese coffeehouse service, which treats Business Class guests to a variety of coffee options in the skies. Furthermore, Austrian Airlines is currently working on a new culinary concept that is set to launch in 2026.
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