South Africans travelling to any of Qatar Airways’ 170+ destinations would, over time, have been able to enjoy a taste of home at 40,000 feet, with a carefully curated selection of 16 local wines from 10 esteemed estates.

As the World’s Best Airline – crowned by Skytrax for a record ninth time in 2025 – Qatar Airways ensures favourites are always within reach.

Each year, the airline serves over two million bottles of South African wine in economy class and 20,000 bottles in its premium cabins.

South African wines now make up approximately 30% of the economy class wine list, reflecting both quality and variety.

Qatar Airways’ economy class wine menu celebrates the diversity of the Western Cape, with an emphasis on approachable, expressive varietals that perform beautifully at altitude.

Over the past seasons, passengers have enjoyed selections such as the refreshing Stellenhoek Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay from Stellenbosch, bold reds like Cape Creek Shiraz and Wild Shore Shiraz, and the crisp Kloof-en-Berg Sauvignon Blanc.

Tall Horse has featured, with vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, soft Merlot, and ripe Shiraz across multiple vintages, while Cape Dream has offered its fresh Sauvignon Blanc.

Star of Africa has previously contributed the lively Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc, with the Cabernet Sauvignon currently being served in the multiple award-winning airline’s economy class.

While not all these wines are available on every journey, each has been part of Qatar Airways’ evolving list, reflecting the award-winning airline’s ongoing commitment to serving a wider variety of high-quality South African wines to its passengers.

In the airline’s premium cabins, the South African wine offering has included standout selections such as Ken Forrester’s Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc and the iconic Klein Constantia Vin de Constance – a wine with a storied history and famously favoured by Napoleon.

Renowned for redefining onboard dining, Qatar Airways continues to set new benchmarks for hospitality in the sky. The airline regularly collaborates with some of the world’s most celebrated chefs and currently has a partnership with acclaimed culinary figures such as Chef Antonio Bachour and Chef Garima Arora, working on a selection of unique projects for the carrier.

Menus are designed with altitude in mind, ensuring every dish and wine tastes its best in the pressurised, drier cabin environment.

This unique setting requires a blend of science and artistry to balance subtlety and intensity in flavours – making in-flight food and wine pairing a precise craft.

Beyond wine and food, Qatar Airways is committed to sourcing local ingredients whenever possible, strengthening relationships with local suppliers and farmers across its network.

The Qatar flag carrier currently supports African producers by, among others, uplifting around 400,000 litres of bottled water annually from most of the 30 African destinations it serves.

In South Africa, Qatar Airways’ collaboration with the prestigious chef academy, Capsicum Culinary Studio, has created opportunities for young African chefs to join the airline’s award-winning team in Doha.

Here is to fine wine, exquisite cuisine, and unmatched service – with the “Cape of Good Wines” now flowing aboard the World’s Best Airline.