Emirates has reaffirmed its leadership in luxury travel by investing over £100 million in curating a world-renowned onboard wine program.

In the past year, Emirates acquired more than 13 million bottles of fine wine, spending an impressive US$140 million (£100 million) to maintain its position at the forefront of inflight luxury. These bottles are meticulously selected to mature in Emirates’ extensive cellars, with many not scheduled for service until they reach their optimal age—sometimes up to a decade from now.

This substantial investment mirrors the airline’s expanding global route map and ever-growing premium clientele. In 2025, Emirates guests enjoyed a record 12 million bottles of wine across all cabins, with Economy Class alone accounting for over 10 million single-serve bottles. This reflects a steady rise in demand for exceptional onboard experiences, up 28% from the previous year.

“Our ongoing mission is to deliver an extraordinary journey at every touchpoint, and our wine selection is a testament to that promise. Emirates’ relationships with the world’s most exclusive vineyards allow us to present a wine list that rivals the finest restaurants across major international cities,” shared Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline.

Clark continued, “We regularly receive praise from passengers astonished by the breadth and rarity of our wine offerings. This is a direct result of our strategic long-term planning and unwavering investment.”

Since 2006, Emirates has spent over US$700 million building what is now the largest airline wine cellar in the world, housing more than 2.3 million bottles—many of which will only reach their peak for Emirates guests in the years ahead.

For premium cabins, nearly half of all wines sourced in 2025—approximately 1.9 million bottles—originated from France’s renowned Bordeaux region. Bordeaux reds remain the flagship of Emirates’ First and Business Class programs, accounting for 60% of the red wine poured in these cabins.

Passengers flying Emirates today can choose from 75 different wines, champagnes, and port labels daily, carefully curated to complement the airline’s network of over 155 destinations worldwide.

Clark added, “Few producers can consistently deliver the volume and quality we require, so our philosophy is clear: we prioritize excellence, often acquiring smaller allocations directly from iconic estates. Managing a rotating collection of 75 labels across our vast network is a logistical feat, but it ensures our loyal travelers are always discovering new and exceptional vintages on every journey.”

Emirates also places a strong focus on Burgundy, sourcing directly from legendary Grand Cru vineyards such as Chevalier-Montrachet, Charmes-Chambertin, and Échezeaux, enhancing its exclusivity in the sky.

Thanks to enduring partnerships with top producers, Emirates secures access to rare and sought-after bottles. For example, the airline’s 2025 acquisition from the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru—revered as one of Burgundy’s finest white wines—comprised 2,100 cases, representing around 11% of the region’s annual production.

Recent additions to the Emirates cellar include acclaimed Italian labels like Solaia and Ornellaia for First Class, with the celebrated Super Tuscan Tignanello now featured in Business Class, reflecting evolving guest preferences for premium Italian selections.

Emirates continues to champion diversity in its wine program by sourcing exceptional bottles from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and South Africa, ensuring each wine list is thoughtfully tailored to regional tastes and destinations served.