Air India has unveiled a refreshed beverage programme across its international routes, featuring world-class wines and spirits curated to enhance the inflight dining experience. With a Regional Wine Programme, sommelier-trained crew, and premium offerings across cabins, the airline blends global sophistication with Indian craftsmanship to redefine luxury at 35,000 feet.
Air India has taken a decisive step in redefining the inflight experience for its international passengers, unveiling a refreshed beverage collection that brings together some of the world’s most celebrated wines and spirits. This initiative, announced on January 27, 2026, is part of the airline’s broader push to elevate service standards and align with the expectations of today’s discerning global traveller. The new portfolio balances classic expressions, innovative new-world labels, and rare aged spirits, ensuring that every sip at 35,000 feet is as memorable as the journey itself.
At the heart of this upgrade lies the exclusive Regional Wine Programme, a concept designed to reflect the destination being flown to and offer guests a true sense of place. For instance, passengers flying to Italy may be treated to a Brunello di Montalcino, while those bound for France might enjoy a Burgundy Chardonnay. This initiative not only enhances the authenticity of the inflight dining experience but also underscores Air India’s commitment to cultural storytelling through its beverage offerings. To support this, cabin crew have undergone specialised sommelier-style training, equipping them to guide passengers with personalised recommendations and elevate the service to a level rarely seen in Indian aviation.
In a category-first move, Air India has introduced tequila onboard, featuring Mexico’s 1800 Reserva Añejo. This addition signals the airline’s intent to embrace diversity in its beverage portfolio and cater to evolving global tastes. Alongside this, India’s own Rampur Double Cask single malt has been included, a nod to the country’s growing reputation in premium spirits and a statement of pride in showcasing Indian craftsmanship to the world. Together, these choices reflect a careful balance between international prestige and homegrown excellence.
Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, emphasised the philosophy behind the revamp: “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. Paired with the newly revamped international menu, the beverage menu seeks to provide guests with a dining journey crafted with care and passion, elevating the overall inflight experience.” His words capture the airline’s ambition to position itself not just as a carrier but as a curator of experiences.
The refreshed offerings are tailored across cabins, ensuring that every class of travel benefits from the upgrade. In First Class, passengers can indulge in an ultra-premium lineup that includes Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Single Malt, Hennessy VSOP Cognac, Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino by Marchesi Antinori, and Classic Burgundy Chardonnay. This selection reflects the airline’s intent to rival the best in global aviation, offering connoisseurs a rarefied experience that blends tradition and luxury.
Business Class travellers are treated to a sophisticated yet approachable range, including Roku Gin, Charles Heidsieck Brut Champagne, Bottega Gold Prosecco, Albert Bichot Moulin-à-Vent, Château Teyssier Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, and Birra Moretti. The mix of sparkling wines, robust reds, and premium beers ensures that business travellers can unwind with choices that suit both formal and casual moods. Premium Economy introduces a first-ever sparkling welcome with Villa Sandi II Fresco Prosecco, a gesture that reflects Air India’s effort to extend celebratory touches beyond the top tiers. Economy Class, often overlooked in such upgrades, has not been left behind. Passengers here can enjoy a curated range including Bordeaux wines, Dewar’s Scotch, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Absolut Vodka, Caribbean rum, Heineken, and Kingfisher Ultra, ensuring that even budget-conscious travellers experience a taste of refinement.
This initiative comes at a time when India’s aviation sector is undergoing significant transformation, with Air India at the forefront of efforts to modernise and compete with global carriers. The timing also coincides with broader developments in the Indian beverage landscape. On the same day, India concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, slashing import duties on wines, spirits, and beer. Tariffs on wines, previously as high as 150 percent, will now be progressively reduced to as little as 20 percent for premium wines and 30 percent for mid-range wines. Spirits, including Irish whiskey, will see duties fall to 40 percent, while beer tariffs will drop from 110 percent to 50 percent. These reductions are expected to lower shelf prices and improve accessibility for Indian consumers, creating a more vibrant market for international beverages.
The synergy between Air India’s inflight beverage revamp and the EU–India FTA is striking. As European wines and spirits become more affordable and widely available in India, Air India’s decision to showcase them onboard positions the airline as a bridge between global producers and Indian consumers. Passengers who discover a Burgundy Chardonnay or a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru during their flight may now find it easier to purchase the same labels back home, reinforcing the airline’s role in shaping consumer preferences and expanding cultural horizons.
Beyond the economics, the move reflects a deeper cultural ambition. Air India has long been seen as a symbol of national pride, and its efforts to blend global sophistication with Indian identity resonate strongly in today’s interconnected world. By including Rampur Double Cask single malt alongside Aberfeldy and Hennessy, the airline asserts that Indian craftsmanship belongs on the same stage as the world’s finest. By training its crew in sommelier-style service, it signals that hospitality is not just about efficiency but about storytelling, expertise, and personal connection.
The inflight beverage upgrade also aligns with broader trends in aviation, where airlines are increasingly investing in culinary and beverage experiences as differentiators. In an era when seat configurations and entertainment systems are often comparable across carriers, the dining and drinking experience has emerged as a key battleground for customer loyalty. Air India’s initiative places it firmly in this competitive space, offering passengers not just transportation but a curated journey that begins with a glass of champagne and ends with a memory of discovery.
For passengers, the impact is immediate and tangible. A First Class traveller sipping Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs Champagne may feel transported to the vineyards of Champagne, while an Economy passenger enjoying a Bordeaux red may sense a touch of French elegance. The Regional Wine Programme ensures that these experiences are not generic but tied to the destinations themselves, adding layers of meaning to the act of travel. In this way, Air India transforms the cabin into a stage where global cultures meet, and where every pour tells a story.
As India’s aviation sector continues to expand, with international routes multiplying and passenger expectations rising, initiatives like this beverage revamp will play a crucial role in shaping perceptions. Air India’s move is not just about offering better drinks; it is about signalling a new era of ambition, confidence, and global integration. It is about telling passengers that their journey matters, that their tastes are respected, and that their experience is worth elevating.
In the months ahead, the success of this initiative will be measured not only by passenger satisfaction but also by its ripple effects in the broader market. With tariffs falling and accessibility rising, the inflight experience may become a gateway to wider appreciation of global wines and spirits in India. For Air India, the refreshed beverage programme is more than a menu—it is a manifesto of excellence, a declaration that the airline is ready to compete on the world stage, and a promise that every journey will be accompanied by the finest expressions of craftsmanship, care, and culture.
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