American Airlines’ New Home Wine Experience



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With travel being drastically cut back over the past year, it’s obvious what we miss most: American Airlines wine. 😉 Well, the Fort Worth-based airline listened to those comments with the launch of Flagship Cellars, a home-based wine experience.

American Airlines Flagship Cellars Wines

We’ve seen airlines do all kinds of fundraising initiatives, given the reduced demand for travel. In this sense, American Airlines has launched Flagship Cellars Wines, in partnership with online wine retailer Vinesse.

With Flagship Cellars, American Airlines offers to deliver the same wine to your door that would otherwise be served on board. Here is how it works:

  • American will handpick wines from its Flagship wine collection, selected by a master sommelier exclusively for Americans
  • Anyone 21 or older can select their wine preferences at vinesse.com/flagshipcellars
  • Customers can choose from collections of blended wines, create their own personalized box, or purchase a monthly wine subscription, which includes three wines for $ 99.99 including delivery
  • Subscriptions can be for a limited time and can be canceled at any time; the introductory offer includes a free additional bottle of wine

Selection of American Airlines flagship cellars

In a press release, it is stated that “American has built a reputation for its thoughtful selection of award-winning wines that represent unique regions and flavors from around the world.” Right, it is for which the American has developed a reputation …

The economics of this are not entirely clear to me:

  • Is American Airlines really trying to sell its wine inventory and working with Vinesse to do so?
  • Or does the American just market existing Vinesse wine and get a commission for doing it?

Earn two AAdvantage miles per dollar spent

As a bonus for the purchase of airline wine, you can earn two US AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on each order of this wine collection. To take advantage of it, indicate your AAdvantage number when you check out. You don’t earn bonus miles on taxes, shipping, and fees.


Selection of American Airlines flagship cellars

What types of wines are available for purchase?

There are several ways to buy wine through this offer:

  • You can purchase a Flagship Cellars collection, which includes three to 12 bottles, which cost from $ 49.99 to $ 399.99; you can either buy all the same type of wine (all red, all white, all champagne, etc.), or a mixture
  • You can purchase bottles of the specific wines you want, ranging from $ 12.99 to $ 39.99 per bottle
  • You can purchase a monthly selection of three wines for $ 99.99 including delivery, if you want a surprise


Selection of American Airlines flagship cellars

Are American Airlines Flagship Cellars’ Fares Really Good? In each case, it is implied that the savings are significant, although I am not sure that this is really the case. Let me compare the prices of a few randomly selected wines to K&L (which is otherwise my favorite online wine retailer):

  • The “NV Deutz Champagne, France ‘Classic’ Brut” sells for $ 34.99 and it is suggested that the normal price is $ 45, but K&L also charges $ 34.99
  • The 2015 “Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills, Oregon Pinot Noir” sells for $ 38.99 and it is suggested the regular price is $ 45, but K&L charges $ 39.99

In some cases, the price here might be a modest discount, but it really doesn’t seem like the kind of price you’d expect if a company tries to clear their inventory, which makes me think it might just be. not American. Airline wine inventory.

I should also mention that although American Airlines currently sells Krug Champagne in Admirals Clubs (due to the closure of Flagship First Dining), it is unfortunately not available for online purchase. The price of the Krug is actually good, although the problem is that you have to consume it at the Admirals Club.

At the end of the line

American Airlines now sells wine direct to consumers in partnership with Vinesse. It is not entirely clear whether this is simply a marketing partnership, or whether American is actually liquidating its wine inventory this way, given the reduction in flight schedules.

There’s something hilarious about people buying airline wine to enjoy at home. It’s one thing if the prices here were amazing, but based on a few comparisons it doesn’t appear to be.

Is anyone considering making a purchase through the American Airlines Flagship Cellars program? Is there something that I miss that means a lot?

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