Major airlines are in an arms race … to pour you a nicer bottle of bubbles than their competitors. And now Delta is entering the fray.
The Atlanta-based airline announced Thursday that it will begin exclusively pouring Taittinger for Delta One guests on international long-haul flights. Delta flight attendants will begin serving that French champagne starting this Saturday, March 1.
Taittinger is popular (and often highly rated) among champagne aficionados – and with retail prices around $50 to $60 or even more per bottle, it's a significant upgrade from the rotating list of sparkling wines and champagnes Delta has previously poured for its business class customers. Airline industry insider @xJonNYC first broke the news that this new partnership was coming.
The airline says it will offer business class customers a glass of Taittinger during boarding, on the bar cart that roams the aisles after takeoff, and throughout the rest of the flight. But while Delta already has bottles of Taittinger on hand at its exclusive new Delta One Lounges in New York City (JFK), Boston (BOS), and Los Angeles (LAX), guests still can't get a glass for free – it's only available for purchase in the lounge, a Delta spokesperson confirmed.
A glass of champagne is practically synonymous with business class – what better way to kick off a long flight overseas, right? And Delta's not alone in upping its game in the champagne department recently.
United did the same to ring in the New Year, announcing its own partnership with champagne house Laurent-Perrier and pouring bottles of its La Cuvée for all Polaris business class passengers. Whether Laurent-Perrier or Taittinger is better comes down to your palate.
But the two airlines are duking it out for the crown of the country's “premium” airline – especially at the front of the cabin. Delta unveiled fancy new amenity kits from the Italian luxury brand Missoni last summer. United has been improving its inflight catering while its Polaris bedding, from Saks Fifth Avenue, remains practically beloved among frequent flyers.
These kinds of partnerships are a win-win for airlines: They get to tout a big name that might impress passengers … and likely buy all the bottles they'll need at a discounted price as a result. Just ask Emirates, which has an exclusive relationship with Dom Perignon.
“Not all Champagne is created equal. Taittinger is Champagne for those who know – it represents a quiet, sophisticated elegance that will ‘wow’ our Delta One customers,” said Kristen Manion Taylor, Delta's senior vice president of inflight service. “A family-owned Champagne house, Taittinger’s reputation for excellence mirrors our own, and we’re thrilled to partner with them as we elevate your travel experience.”
Bottom Line
Your next Delta One flight will start off with a fancy flair as Delta upgrades its inflight champagne to Taittinger.
Cheers to that!
Lead photo courtesy of Delta