As alcohol sales were suspended aboard many airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, American Airlines found a way to use its unused product by offering a new home delivery service, the company announced on Thursday .
The new program, called Flagship Cellars, features bottles from the American Airlines wine collection that are usually served to those who book “Flagship” air tickets – a luxury ticket option available only on international and transcontinental flights.
Consumers can choose individual bottles ranging in price from about $ 13 to $ 40, a mixed package starting at around $ 50 and going up to $ 400 for a champagne box, or opt for the monthly subscription plan $ 99. A variety of brands are offered through the program, including Stag’s Leap and Castlenau.
“For wine lovers around the world, wine offers a deeper connection to the places they like to visit,” said Alison Taylor, director of customer service for American Airlines, in a statement.
American Airlines loyalty members will earn two miles for every dollar spent on the Flagship Cellars program, the statement notes.
“We created Flagship Cellars to provide more ways for customers to enjoy our Flagship wine, even if they are not flying in one of our premium cabins,” an airline spokesman told The Hill.
The program was also created as a way to publicize the airline’s most luxurious flight offers.
“It also gives them a taste of what you can enjoy at Flagship First or Flagship Business,” an American Airlines spokesman told CNN.
The company expects the delivery service to generate about $ 40,000 to $ 50,000 in the coming months, reports CNN.