Does flying affect our sense of taste?

What we eat and drink tastes different on a plane. Humidity levels are around 30 per cent lower in the cabin than on the ground, which can dull our sense of taste and smell. That’s why we try a huge number of wines to find the best options to serve on board and in our many lounges. Only around one in 20 bottles make the cut. We look for great wines that will stand up to a high altitude, usually fruitier, full-bodied flavours as lighter, delicate notes can disappear in a dry atmosphere.

What are the best wines to serve on the ground and in the air?

The grapes that perform very well in-flight often mirror trends elsewhere – so what’s popular in your favourite restaurant will generally be what people look for on board. At the moment, that’s Italian Prosecco, Australian Shiraz and crisp, dry rosé (Spain and France are having a moment). British Airways choose bottles with lots of flavour, because if it’s expressive on the ground, it will fly well. And given that wines are selected to order, not cellar, only wines in their peak drinking window will do.

Does flight length and route affect the wine list?

British Airways has one list for long haul flights and a second list for short haul flights. Shorter flights mean less time for service, and less storage space in the galley, so it makes sense to have a smaller – but still top-quality – selection. On shorter flights British Airways serve wine from 187ml PET bottles. They weigh less than glass, which reduces our carbon footprint.

The biggest difference is between the wine lists for in-flight and the lounges. In lounges, people drink 50 percent more white wine than red – but in the air, they drank 50 percent more red than white. We can also serve more wine styles on the ground that we know our guests love, but would be too subtle to drink at 30,000 feet.

What are the most popular styles of wine in each class?

Our team ensures that whether you fly World Traveller, Club World or First Class, you have an excellent selection of wines to choose from. There are always two red and two white wines – fruit-forward, smooth, well-rounded and ready-to-drink examples are ideal. Aromatic Sauvignon Blancs and lean, minerally styles of Chardonnay always top the list, and by far the most popular red grape we see amongst flyers is Pinot Noir.

In First Class, red Bordeaux blends and white Burgundy outpace everything else. No matter what part of the plane you’re sitting in, check out our full range on The Wine Flyer, where you can order some to try at home.