Emirates has launched a bespoke wine training programme for its cabin crew, known as L’art du vin, further enhancing its renowned in-flight wine service.

This initiative, launched in June 2024 at the Emirates Cabin Crew Training College in Dubai, is designed to elevate the knowledge and appreciation of fine wines among the airline’s cabin crew.

The programme is set within a classroom replicating the luxury of Emirates’ A380 Onboard Lounge, providing an immersive and educational environment.

The L’art du vin programme is divided into three courses: Introduction, Business Class and First Class, each tailored to different levels of experience and knowledge.

• The introductory course covers basic wine knowledge, including Emirates’ investment in wine, wine-making processes, and pouring techniques.
• As cabin crew progress to the Business Class course, they delve deeper into the structural characteristics of wine, exploring global wine regions and perfecting wine and food pairing skills.
• The pinnacle of the programme, the First Class course, offers an in-depth study of Premier and Grand Cru Classé wines, with a focus on prestigious vineyards from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and beyond.

The training is complemented by study guides, an interactive app, and detailed tasting notes, allowing cabin crew to immerse themselves fully in the world of wine.

To date, over 1,000 Emirates cabin crew have completed a course, with the airline aiming to train more than 22,000 additional crew members by 2026.

Emirates’ commitment to providing exceptional service is evident in the quality of wines offered in every class.

First Class passengers enjoy a range of rare and vintage wines from top regions worldwide, including the Louis Latour Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Les Demoiselles 2014 and the Opus One Napa Valley 2012.

Business Class passengers are treated to mature Bordeaux selections from the 2009 vintage, alongside impressive wines from Burgundy, Spain, and Australia.

Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers also experience high-quality wines, such as the sparkling Domaine Chandon 2017 in Premium Economy and Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2021 in Economy.

Emirates’ wine ambassadors, who hold WSET Level 2 and 3 certifications, lead the L’art du vin courses. Participants who complete a course receive a certificate of achievement and may apply for more advanced training during their career with Emirates.

For more information about Emirates flights’, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

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