- 34 Austrian wineries featured in the new Austrian Airlines wine programme
- Four seasonal wine cycles bring variety to the glass
- “Meet the Winemakers”: Austrian Airlines showcases winemakers and new onboard wines at Vienna Airport
Bringing Austrian wine to new heights: On Tuesday, Austrian Airlines unveiled its new wine selection for the period from October 2026 to August 2027. The annual programme features wines from a total of 34 wineries representing Austria’s diverse wine-growing regions.
As part of the Austrian Airlines Wine Event 2026, winemakers personally presented their wines at Vienna Airport, answering questions from media representatives, sales partners and Austrian Airlines employees. Under the motto “Meet the Winemakers – Taste What’s Flying”, the airline’s approximately 300 Austrian Wine Experts — flight attendants and pursers who have received specialised training in wine expertise and sensory evaluation — as well as all other event guests had the opportunity to sample the new selection and discover the people and stories behind the wines.
“Wine and Austria’s diverse wine-growing regions are an integral part of the country’s culinary heritage and national identity. This is precisely where our strategic focus on regional products comes in. With our new selection and concept, we can bring a taste of this heritage to our guests as they travel. We are particularly pleased to be working with 34 renowned Austrian wineries, giving their wines the opportunity to shine at 10,000 metres,” says Annette Mann, CEO of Austrian Airlines.
A Wine Journey Through the Four Seasons
With its new annual programme, Austrian Airlines is embracing a seasonal approach to its wine selection. The wines selected from more than 600 submissions and tastings are divided into four cycles, rotating throughout the year to reflect autumn, winter, spring and summer. This approach not only adds variety to the onboard offering but also introduces passengers to the diversity of Austrian wine culture.
The selection ranges from classic Austrian grape varieties, such as the peppery Grüner Veltliner, to the aromatic Muskateller and the characterful Blaufränkisch. Alongside familiar favourites, passengers can also look forward to discovering lesser-known varieties, including Rotgipfler, Zierfandler and Neuburger. Austrian Airlines is thus bringing a broad spectrum of wine styles to new heights, with every selection carefully curated by experts to account for the significant changes in taste perception and acidity sensitivity at an altitude of 10,000 metres.
The opportunity to meet the winemakers in person at the Austrian Airlines Wine Event 2026 was also valuable for the airline’s crews. A deeper understanding of the wines, their origins and the people who produce them enables flight attendants not only to recommend a wine to passengers but also to share the story behind each bottle.
Austrian Wine Culture at 10,000 Metres
Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Österreich Wein Marketing GmbH, ÖWM) has been a longstanding partner of Austrian Airlines, both in its broader wine programme and in the training of Austrian Wine Experts. A dedicated Knowledge Hub provides information on Austria’s wine-growing regions, DAC appellations, grape varieties, wine tourism, gastronomy and Austrian wine culture.
With its new annual wine programme, Austrian Airlines is bringing not only Austrian wines on board, but also a taste of the country’s distinctive culinary heritage.