All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest airline, will begin offering a new selection of Japanese sake for service onboard and at ANA lounges.

Beginning on 1 March, ANA will offer a total of 34 brands, adding 26 new brands while continuing to offer eight popular brands from the current selection.

The sake will be available in first and business class on ANA international flights, in premium class on domestic flights and at “ANA SUITE LOUNGE” for both international and domestic flights and at “ANA LOUNGE” for international flights.

In response to customer feedback and trends, ANA developed a broad choice of sake that includes seasonal variations similar to the airline’s in-flight meals and meals offered in ANA lounges.

The new offerings are a diverse selection of Japanese sake, including rare brands that will satisfy avid Japanese sake connoseuieres, as well as brands that offer a variety of flavours for overseas customers and first-time Japanese sake customers.

Tomoji Ishii, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience Management and Planning of ANA said,

At ANA, we take pride in providing our customers with a premium Japanese experience through excellent service and authentic offerings. With the renewal of our Japanese sake selection, we hope to offer our customers a true taste of Japan onboard and in our ANA lounges.

Yasuyuki Kitahara, ANA’s sake advisor and Assistant Food & Beverage Manager of Conrad Tokyo, evaluated and tasted 207 nominated sake brands to make final selections .

The winner of the 4th World Sake Tasting Competition, Kitahara is one of the world’s leading experts of Japanese sake and shochu. He has served as a sake advisor since December 2018 as a member of The Connoisseurs, ANA’s specially selected group of chefs and sommeliers who guide, advice and help to plan the airline’s food and beverage offering.

He said,

I have selected a lineup that emphasizes seasonal taste. Just as ANA offers seasonal dishes for in-flight meals, we also offer seasonal flavours for our sake. The dishes and drinks we serve are prepared with passion and will serve as a lasting memory of your trip to Japan.