With airline travel down and in-flight service limited or suspended on most flights, food and drink supplies are starting to pile up for many airlines.
American Airlines is doing something about it.
The airline announced a new wine delivery service Thursday in an effort to reduce its supply of alcohol not being used on flights. Flagship Cellars will allow customers to buy wine by the bottle, in curated cases, or as part of a monthly subscription plan.
“For wine lovers around the world, win provides a deeper connection to the places they enjoy visiting,” Chief Customer Officer Alison Taylor said in a statement. “We created Flagship Cellars to provide more ways for customers to enjoy our Flagship wine even if they aren’t flying in one of our premium cabins.”
“American has built a reputation for its thoughtful selection of award-winning wines that represent unique regions and flavors from around the world,” the statement read.
Individual bottles are priced from $13 to $40, while curated cases range from $50 to $400. Customers will have the option of choosing prearranged collections or building their own based on personal taste. Shipping costs will be added to any purchase of fewer than 12 bottles. A monthly subscription will cost $99 for three premium bottles and delivery.
Members of the AAdvantage loyalty program will also earn miles for their wine purchases.
The program’s name comes from the fact that the wine would have been served to customers with Flagship tickets, an upgraded seating option on transcontinental and international flights. American has suspended all alcohol service on its flights during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the flight crew’s interaction with passengers.
Flagship Cellars is available to anyone age 21 or older, although alcohol delivery is not allowed in some states. Subscriptions will be available while supplies last and can be canceled anytime.
