October 15, 2025

By Anthony Cicconi

How to Order Wine on an Airplane (And Actually Enjoy It)

You're settling into your seat, the cabin door closes, and the flight attendant asks what you'd like to drink. You glance at the wine options and wonder: is it even worth it?

Here's the thing. Wine tastes different at 35,000 feet, and it's not just in your head. Understanding why can help you make better choices and actually enjoy that glass.

Why Wine Tastes Different in the Air

Cabin pressure and low humidity do a number on your taste buds. At cruising altitude, your ability to perceive sweetness and saltiness drops by about 30%. Meanwhile, the dry air (humidity hovers around 12%, compared to 30-65% on the ground) dries out your nasal passages, muting the aromas that make wine interesting.

The result? Subtle wines taste flat. Delicate aromatics disappear. That crisp Pinot Grigio you love at home might taste like slightly sour water up there.

What to Order Instead

Go bold. Wines with bigger flavors and fuller bodies hold up much better to the altitude effect. Think of it like seasoning food more heavily when you have a cold.

Red wines generally fare better than whites because their flavor profiles tend to be bolder and less reliant on delicate aromatics. That said, a rich, oaked Chardonnay will outperform a light Sauvignon Blanc.

A Note on Bubbles

Champagne and sparkling wine are a bit of a wildcard. Some people swear by them on flights since the effervescence can feel refreshing. Others find that the pressure changes make bubbles sit uncomfortably. If you have a sensitive stomach or tend toward motion sickness, you might want to skip the sparkling and stick with still wine.

The Real Pro Move

If you're in business or first class with a decent wine list, ask the flight attendant what they'd recommend. They serve these wines constantly and know which ones passengers actually enjoy versus which ones get left half-finished.

And if you're in economy with two options (the usual red or white), go with the red. It's almost always the safer bet.

One More Thing

Drink water alongside your wine. The cabin air is dehydrating you faster than you realize, and alcohol speeds that up. A glass of wine plus a full glass of water will leave you feeling much better when you land than two glasses of wine alone.

Flying doesn't have to mean settling for bad wine. It just means adjusting your expectations and picking smarter. Cheers to your next flight.

More Wine Tips

If you want to learn more about making smart wine choices, check out our food pairing guide for the basics that work everywhere. Heading to a restaurant after you land? Here's how to navigate a huge wine list without stress. And if you're curious why that bold Malbec tastes so good, learn how to make any wine taste better with simple serving tips.