Meet our sommeliers of the skies

The perfect wine pairing can make or break a meal – all the more so when you’re 35,000 feet in the air. That’s why we’ve launched a brand new initiative to transform members of our cabin crew into certified Cathay Wine Ambassadors. 

“When you talk about food, there’s always something else that comes into play: a beverage. For a lot of our passengers, it’s champagnes or wines – and a well-selected range of wines can enhance the dining experience,” says Ronald Khoo, Cathay’s Wine, Spirits & Beverages Manager. 

We’ve turned to the WSET^® (Wine & Spirit Education Trust^®), the global leader in drinks education, to upskill members of our cabin crew – and upgrade your wine journey on our flights. The WSET^® Level 2 Award in Wines qualification is an internationally recognised certification that covers everything from varietals to tasting profiles and notes, as well as how to properly serve and store wines. 

Our ultimate aim is to have one cabin crew member trained to WSET^® Level 2 on board each of our flights – equipping them with a rich knowledge of our inflight cellars and enhancing your inflight wine experience. 

“With WSET^®’s systematic approach to tasting wines, cabin crew are equipped with a common language – and a bond that develops when speaking to passengers who love wine,” says Khoo. 

The training has its own set of challenges – mostly logistical. Taking 200-300 cabin crew members at once out of staffing rotation for the extensive programme simply isn’t an option. Instead, our food and beverage team has worked closely with teams across the business to find the right balance – resulting in intimate classes held throughout the year.

Khoo’s team already provides cabin crew with primers on each of the wines we offer on board – but the WSET^® Level 2 Award in Wines programme is a real step up. He hopes that some of our Wine Ambassadors will even continue their training to the advanced Level 3 qualification. 

If you’d like to know more about the stories behind the 46 wines we serve, such as our recent partnership with Chinese winemaker Long Dai, ask for one of our Cathay Wine Ambassadors and feel free to strike up a conversation.

For Khoo, it’s all about making each flight unforgettable. “I’d love for our Cathay Wine Ambassadors to share the stories behind our wines,” he says. “It’s another way of engaging with our customers and bringing them an elevated service and experience.” 

How we curate our wine list 

“At 35,000 feet, our senses are slightly weakened, especially our ability to smell,” says Ronald Khoo. “Sweet and salty notes don’t change too much, but our sensitivity to bitterness will be slightly elevated.” 

That means we have to select our beverages differently. Just as our Betsy beer has been brewed to taste better in the skies, our wine selection must be carefully curated for altitude. Khoo taste tests up in the air to ensure perfection. 

“What we normally try to look for are fruity wines which are low in tannins or not too harsh in their tannin structure, as the astringency and bitterness caused by them comes out even more,” he says. “We always strive to look for balance.” 

Away with wine 

Join us on an immersive wine experience in the stunning Bordeaux region, curated by Ronald Khoo. From 31 August to 6 September, you’ll tour vineyards, including our long-term partners Château Lynch-Bages and Château Montrose, and enjoy a host of exclusive experiences, from learning to blend your own wines to meals with winery owners.