On most long-haul business class flights, wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks are included in the fare. The selection, however, varies by airline, route, and flight. On Qatar Airways, the welcome drink worth trying might be lime and mint. On Finnair, you might save your first order for the airline’s own take on a Cosmopolitan.
If a particular drink matters to you, look up the menu for your flight and travel date. An airline’s sample menu gives you a feel for its style, but the bottles and cocktails can change with the route and season.
What drinks are included in business class?
| Drink | What to expect on a long-haul flight |
|---|---|
| Champagne and sparkling wine | Usually poured shortly after boarding or with your meal. Check the menu to see whether the airline pours Champagne or another sparkling wine. |
| Still wine | A selection of reds and whites with dinner. Some menus also include rosé, dessert wine, or Port. |
| Beer, spirits, and cocktails | A wider range of complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, spirits, and liquor such as gin, vodka, rum, and whisky. Selections often include domestic and craft beers, while more elaborate cocktails depend on the menu. |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | Still and sparkling water, bottled mineral water, juices, soft drinks, and mixers. On some airlines, the list extends to signature mocktails and non-alcoholic beer. |
| Coffee and tea | Freshly brewed coffee and a wider selection of teas with meals. If you’d like an espresso or cappuccino, check the hot drinks list for your flight. |
Overall, business-class drink service is significantly more extensive than in economy class.
Six airline drinks worth looking for
Many airlines now use signature beverages and craft cocktails to set apart the premium cabin experience, with drinks programs that often include mixes created specifically for these cabins.
| Airline | Drink to look for | Where it’s served |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | Fresh lime and mint is a refreshing alcohol-free option, while the pineapple margarita offers a cocktail alternative. | Featured as a welcome drink in the airline’s Qsuite service and in Qatar Airways’ cocktail selection. |
| Finnair | Blue Sky. Finnair’s signature cocktail uses blueberry liqueur for a distinctly Nordic profile. | On the long-haul business class drinks menu. |
| Cathay Pacific | Betsy. The airline’s own pale ale makes a good starting point if you usually skip the wine list. | Featured in Cathay Pacific business class. Check the beer selection on your flight. |
| Emirates | Moët & Chandon Champagne. Look for the suggested dish alongside the pour if you’d like to try the pairing the chefs had in mind. | Featured on selected business class menus as part of Emirates’ Champagne pairing program. |
| American Airlines | Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA. A useful option if you enjoy a hoppy beer and prefer a non-alcoholic one. | Introduced to American’s inflight drinks selection in February 2026. |
| Virgin Atlantic | Aviation Mojito. One of the airline’s signature beverages and a good example of how modern business classes now feature named cocktail options. | Served in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. |
For a closer look at how drinks fit into Qatar’s dine-on-demand service, see our Qatar Airways business class guide.
From boarding to breakfast: when to order
The welcome drink
During boarding, the crew may offer welcome drinks as passengers settle into their seats. This is often the simplest choice of the flight. You might choose sparkling wine, ask about the airline’s signature welcome drink, or start with water while browsing the menu. British Airways, for example, has offered options such as Buck’s Fizz and Kir Royale. If you spot a cocktail you’d like to try, ask whether it’s available now or after takeoff.
The first round after takeoff
This is a good time to read the wine list alongside the dinner menu. On a daytime flight, you might want an aperitif and a snack before deciding what to have with lunch. On a short overnight crossing, you might prefer to order your dinner drink straight away. If you already know what you want, tell the crew when they take your meal order. That way, the glass you chose for your main course doesn’t arrive while you’re still deciding between the fish and the beef.
Between meals and before landing
When the cabin lights go down, the pace of service changes. If you’d like tea later, ask how to order it while the crew is clearing dinner. If you’d prefer to sleep through breakfast, that is also a good moment to say so. On a daytime flight, the stretch between meals can be a better time to try a signature cocktail, especially if you’d prefer to enjoy it separately from your meal. Remember to drink water and be mindful of alcohol consumption during the flight.
For breakfast, check the hot drinks list before defaulting to the first pot of coffee that comes around. You might find a black tea you haven’t tried, or a herbal tea such as chamomile for a calming option on a long-haul flight, or an espresso to finish the meal. If coffee is all you want, say so when the crew takes breakfast orders.
Why a Bloody Mary can taste different in the air
If you rarely order tomato juice on the ground but like it on a plane, cabin noise may help explain why. In a Cornell study, people exposed to aircraft-like noise perceived sweetness less strongly and savory umami flavors more intensely. Tomato juice is rich in umami, which helps explain the appeal of a Bloody Mary in flight. You can try the same savory base without vodka by ordering a Virgin Mary.
With wine, start with what you enjoy on the ground. If a white tastes muted with dinner, ask which of the other bottles has more citrus or fruit character. “Which white would you pour with this dish?” gives the crew more to work with than asking for the best wine on board.
How to read a business class wine list
The most useful words on a wine list are often the tasting notes. If you like a crisp white, look for descriptions such as “citrus,” “green apple,” or “fresh acidity.” If you prefer something rounder, “ripe pear,” “cream,” or “oak” can point you toward a fuller style. Two Chardonnays can be quite different, so the grape name alone won’t always settle the choice.
For reds, think about texture. A wine described as silky or light-bodied is a good place to start if you want a glass before the main course. If you like a firmer, drier sensation, look for a mention of tannins. When two wines both sound appealing, ask whether a small taste is possible before choosing a full pour.
On a sparkling wine list, Champagne identifies the wine’s region of origin, while Brut indicates a dry style. You can find “Brut” on both Champagne and other sparkling wines. If you enjoy something dry with a bowl of warm nuts or a savory starter, that word is a more useful clue to your preference than the price of the bottle.
Non-alcoholic drinks beyond juice and soda
For an alcohol-free welcome drink, ask about the airline’s signature mocktails. Many carriers now offer more creative non-alcoholic options in business class. Cathay Pacific’s published business class menu, for example, describes the Cathay Delight as kiwi fruit, coconut milk, and fresh mint. That gives you a good idea of what you’ll get: a creamy fruit drink with a herbal finish. Qatar’s lime and mint welcome drink offers a different starting point if you prefer something tart. Qatar Airways also offers crafted mocktails and fresh juices, while Malaysia Airlines serves the nonalcoholic Wau Emas cocktail in business class.
You can also build a simple drink from the mixers already on board. Ask for cranberry juice topped with plenty of sparkling water if you’d like a long drink with a little fruit. For a savory option before lunch, try tomato juice over ice with lemon if the crew has it. Ginger ale is another refreshing option, particularly if you prefer something lightly sweet and fizzy. When the mocktail list leans sweet, a simple order is often easier to adjust than a house drink prepared in advance.
If you’re choosing a non-alcoholic beer and specifically want 0.0% ABV, check the can or ask to see the label. For an evening drink with no beer or spirits involved, try mint tea with dark chocolate or black tea with a buttery dessert. A warm drink can work just as well as a cocktail when you want to linger over the end of dinner.
Airlines That Don’t Serve Alcohol in Business Class
A business class ticket does not always include Champagne, wine, or cocktails. Some airlines operate without alcohol across all cabins, including on international flights. Often called “dry airlines,” these carriers offer premium dining with non-alcoholic beverages.
- Saudia does not serve alcohol in business class or its other cabins. Travelers can choose from non-alcoholic refreshments, with the selection depending on the flight. The welcome service is a good opportunity to ask about specialty drinks and explore the available alternatives.
- Riyadh Air also offers an alcohol-free experience, including in business class. Reported onboard offerings include Saudi coffee served with dates and a signature lemon-and-mint drink made with Earl Grey tea. These drinks offer a distinctive alternative to the traditional Champagne welcome service.
- Royal Brunei Airlines operates alcohol-free flights to all destinations. This policy applies to business class throughout the journey, from the welcome drink during boarding to refreshments served with dinner and breakfast.
- Kuwait Airways follows a no-alcohol service policy, including in its premium cabins. Passengers can expect non-alcoholic refreshments with their meals, with the specific selection depending on the flight’s menu.
If you enjoy pairing drinks with food, try sparkling water with citrus alongside a rich main course, tomato juice with a savory starter, or black tea with a cheese plate. Ask which juices, teas, and specialty drinks are available on your particular flight.
When booking a connecting itinerary, check the airline operating each segment. A partner-operated flight can have a different beverage service from the airline that sold your ticket. If alcohol is an important part of your preferred business class experience, confirm the operating carrier’s policy before booking.
What to order with your meal
Start with the sauce when choosing a drink. A lemony fish dish suits a crisp Sauvignon Blanc; for example, Qatar Airways serves a Lemon Mint drink with fish dishes. Fish in a cream sauce can work well with a fuller Chardonnay, and Qantas pairs prawn tortellini with Margaret River Chardonnay. With beef or mushrooms, try a medium-bodied red. If your meal has plenty of chili heat, an off-dry white wine or a cold beer can be a better match than a heavily tannic red. British Airways also pairs lobster soufflé with Riesling 2023.
For the cheese course, choose the piece you want to eat first. Sparkling wine is a good match for creamy Brie, while the sweetness of Port balances salty blue cheese. If you’re skipping alcohol, black tea works well with aged Cheddar, especially if you prefer a drink with little sweetness.
For a closer look at the dishes themselves, read our guide to the best airline food in business class.
Three orders to try on different flights
- An overnight flight with a late dinner. If your main course is salmon with lemon butter, ask for a small glass of Chardonnay with the fish and water for your seat. You can skip the pre-dinner round and still enjoy the part of the wine service that interests you.
- A daytime flight with a spicy lunch. With a curry or a chili-rich noodle dish, try a cold pale ale or an off-dry white. If you prefer to skip alcohol, sparkling water with a splash of apple juice gives you something lightly sweet that won’t overpower the meal.
- A light meal between connections. If you’re ordering a salad and a cheese plate instead of a full dinner, one drink can carry you through both courses. Try a dry sparkling wine with the salad and a soft cheese, or a citrus spritzer if you’d like something alcohol-free.
How does first class beverage service compare?
The difference is easiest to see when you compare the same airline on the same route. Emirates, for example, features Champagne pairings in business class and serves Dom Pérignon in first class. If you enjoy a glass of Champagne with dinner, either cabin can deliver that experience. If you’re looking for a particular producer or vintage, compare the two wine lists before choosing your seat.
First class may offer a broader selection of labels, more rare or premium spirits, and additional attention from the crew, but the exact benefits depend on the airline, aircraft, route, and menu. Some first-class cabins also provide a dedicated bar or lounge area, while others focus on personalized table service at your seat. Business class can still include Champagne, cocktails, curated wines, and a generous choice of non-alcoholic drinks, so the difference is not simply whether beverages are complimentary.
Look beyond the headline bottle when comparing cabins. Check whether first class offers more wine choices, older vintages, premium cognac or whisky, or a wider range of cocktails and mocktails. Consider how the drinks are served, too: a first-class menu might include a welcome pour, suggested food pairings, and a choice of glassware, while business class may offer a more streamlined service. If you have a preferred drink, review the published menus for your specific flight rather than relying on general descriptions of the cabin.
FAQ
Are alcoholic drinks free in business class?
On most long-haul international flights operated by airlines that serve alcohol, beer, wine, and a selection of spirits are included in the business class fare. The drinks menu for your flight is the best place to check which cocktails and bottles are available.
Can I see the wine and cocktail list before I fly?
Some airlines publish a menu for your specific flight. Singapore Airlines, for example, lets you preview food and beverages up to six weeks before departure. Look for a digital menu using your flight number and date, especially if your trip includes a connection.
Can I order a drink between meals?
On most long-haul business class flights, you can request drinks between scheduled meal services. If you’re planning to sleep after dinner, ask for water when your tray is cleared so you have it at your seat overnight.
What can I order if I don’t drink alcohol?
Start with the signature drinks section. Some airlines offer a house mocktail or a non-alcoholic beer, while others focus on juices and teas. For something less sweet, ask for sparkling water with citrus or a soda water with a splash of juice.
Will I get Champagne before takeoff?
A welcome drink is common on long-haul business class flights, but the boarding selection can be shorter than the drinks list for dinner. If you have a particular Champagne in mind, ask the crew whether it will be poured after takeoff.
Will both flights on a connecting itinerary have the same drinks?
The two flights can have different menus, even if you bought them on one ticket, and offerings may vary on select flights. Check the operating airline, route, and cabin for each leg. A short regional connection may offer a smaller drinks selection than the long-haul flight that follows it.
