TravelingForMiles.com may receive commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on TravelingForMiles.com are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. TravelingForMiles.com does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
Some links to products and travel providers on this website will earn Traveling For Miles a commission which helps contribute to the running of the site – I’m very grateful to anyone who uses these links but their use is entirely optional. The compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site and does not impact reviews that are published. For more details please see the advertising disclosure found at the bottom of every page.
Starting this month British Airways customers flying in the airline’s First and Business Class cabins may notice a few changes to the champagne and sparkling wine they’re offered. Lounge visitors should notice some changes too.
Here’s what British Airways will be offering going forward:
First Class Lounges
- Canard-Duchêne Charles VII Champagne
- Champagne Jeeper Brut Grand Rosé
Business Class Lounges
- Castelnau
First Class Cabins
- Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle
- Gusbourne, English Sparkling Wine
- Lanson Rosé Champagne
Club World (Long-Haul Business Class) Cabins
- Canard-Duchêne Cuvee Léonie Brut Champagne
- Champagne Besserat de Bellefon
Club Europe (Short-Haul Business Class) Cabins
- Castelnau (served in quarter-sized bottles)
I’m certainly no authority on champagnes or sparkling wines but I know what I like and don’t like and I’m not a fan of the Henriot champagne that has been on offer in the First Class lounge at Heathrow T5 for quite some time so I’m pleased to see that being replaced.
I have no idea if the Canard-Duchêne Charles VII Champagne which is replacing it will be any better but at least I’ll have a chance to taste a champagne I don’t believe I’ve ever tried.
Castelnau has never really done much for me either but it’s not a bad option to have in the airline’s Business Class lounges (although I think I’d prefer a good quality sparkling wine if I was traveling in Club Europe).
First Class flyers will undoubtably be happy to see that LP Grand Siècle is still going to be available onboard (I have a feeling there would be a small riot if it was ever replaced) but it’s interesting to see what a big step down (from LPGS) the Rosé option is – Lanson is hardly a premium brand.
Bottom Line
When it comes to champagnes and wines a lot of opinions are down to personal taste and preferences so BA is unlikely to ever please everyone – as long as the airline makes an effort I don’t think we can really complain.
It’s hard for me to say how good or bad these changes are as I haven’t tried a number of the offerings being introduced…so I’ll just say this:
I’m happy to see the First Class lounges getting a couple of new champagnes but I’m less than impressed with the Rosé being offered in First Class cabins. I’m mostly indifferent to the other changes.
Anyone have any thoughts on the new champagnes? If you’ve tried any of them let us know what to expect in the comments.
Although I have little knowledge of champagnes, unlike yourself, I thought that the Henriot Blanc de Blanc served in the BA Heathrow First lounges was an excellent choice. Sadly most ordinary punters used to go for the Henriot Rosé, which was not as nice. Bear in mind that prior to these, BA used to have excellent cuvées from Taittinger, after which everything else was a downgrade.
Over the last few years, I have grown to appreciate the Castelnau Brut served in Club Europe, which was a downgrade from the Pommery Brut Royal served before. I would hate it if they decide to bring sparkling wine in, although I have enjoyed a few good sparkling wines from different parts of the world, but with Brexit madness and dropping standards, I fear that is an inevitable eventuality.