American Airlines Scores Big With Global Traveler Magazine for Award-Winning Wine Selection

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wine-loving travelers scouring the skies for the finest wines need look no further than American Airlines. In its annual wine survey, Global Traveler magazine has awarded three top honors to American in this year's survey of international Business Class and North American premium class wines.

Global Traveler's panel of wine judges selected American Airlines as serving the Best North American Wines on the Wing for its overall wine selection in North American premium class, Best North American Red Wine for the Murphy Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, and Best North American Sparkling Wine for the Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Carneros Brut.  In addition, oneworld® won the Best Alliance Wines on the Wing award. The annual "Wines on the Wing" wine survey accolades were formally announced in the August issue of Global Traveler magazine.

"American Airlines is honored that Global Traveler has again recognized our efforts to enhance the onboard travel experience through the service of fine wine inflight," said Rob Friedman, American's Vice President - Marketing. "Wine selection is important to many of our customers which is why we work closely with our wine consultant, Ken Chase, to select and offer a variety of premium wines."

According to Global Traveler, 26 airlines submitted 46 white wines, 49 red wines, and 23 champagne or sparkling wines currently on their international Business Class and North American premium class wine lists for a blind taste test. The tasting was organized by Global Traveler's wine columnist and noted wine expert, Eunice Fried, using 30 independent judges who are noted wine-industry experts.

"Congratulations to American Airlines on another stellar performance in our Wines on the Wing survey," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. "Each year, American outperforms its competition, proving the airline goes above and beyond to provide its customers with exemplary service."

Chase, a classically trained winemaker and viticulturist, updates American's wine list regularly to ensure that only the finest red, white, sparkling and dessert wines are available onboard.

Chase has designed over 25 unique wine lists for international and domestic flights to ensure that each selection complements the ethnic, cultural, seasonal and stylistic differences of each destination. Chase also recently collaborated with American to launch a website dedicated to wine education for American's flight attendants. Through multiple tools housed on the internal site, flight attendants can learn more about the wines American serves, as well as wine in general. For example, one tool on the site allows flight attendants to select the market they are flying and review the specific wines that will be offered in First and Business Class on their particular flight. These innovative ideas demonstrate American's dedication to providing its loyal customers with a premier inflight dining experience.

American, a founding member of the global oneworld Alliance, has been singled out by Global Traveler magazine in the past for its wine selection. In August 2009, American won first place for Best Sparkling Wine in the North American Premium Class category. For more information and to view the current list of American's award-winning wines, please visit www.aa.com/wine.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

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SOURCE American Airlines