Starting next month, United Airlines is transitioning from plastic wine bottles to aluminum cans in economy class and in so doing, introducing a new lineup including rosé wine and brut sparkling wine.
United Airlines Introduces Rosé + Brut Sparkling Wine In Economy Class, Moves From Bottles To Cans
United has served 20 million glasses of wine so far in 2024 (including in premium cabins), a number it says is 50% more than the number of combined glasses of beer and spirits it has served. Starting October 1, 2024, United will transition away from plastic wine bottles and use aluminum cans instead.
Wines will cost $12 each and be served in 250 mL cans (the equivalent of about a glass and a half of wine) with a cup.
The all-California selection will include:
- Just Enough Wines Rosé – A dry, crisp rosé from the California Central Coast features a refreshing flavor profile with notes of watermelon and guava and is balanced by a refreshing minerality
- Maker Brut Bubbles – An aromatic sparkling white from the California Central Coast with bright citrus, white flowers and stone fruit notes and a crisp minerality (brut means “dry, raw, or unrefined” in French)
- Just Enough Wines Cabernet Sauvignon – A full-bodied cabernet sauvignon from the California Central Coast features a vibrant and rich flavor profile of bright cherries, vanilla and sandalwood
- Just Enough Wines Chardonnay – A medium-bodied chardonnay from the California Central Coast features a bright flavor profile with notes of melon, honeysuckle and toasted brioche
Aaron McMillan, United’s Managing Director of Hospitality Programs, explained:
“Our new economy wine list is giving travelers more variety and better quality. After the overwhelmingly positive response to the addition of rosé in United Polaris business class, and ongoing fanfare for sparkling options, we’re thrilled to now offer rosé and a higher quality brut bubbles option for our economy passengers, delivering a more premium experience onboard.”
Justifying the transition from plastic to aluminum, United explained:
This transition to aluminum canned wine will reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles by an estimated 4.7 million bottles per year. Aluminum is nearly infinitely recyclable and supports United’s commitment to sustainability at all altitudes, including recycling onboard its aircraft.
Premier 1K and Global Services members can enjoy these wines for free (one free can per flight) when seated in economy class.
CONCLUSION
I’ve, at least temporarily, given up all alcohol so I won’t be personally be reporting back on this, but the old economy class wine was dreadful on United so I’d imagine this will at least be marginally better. Kudos to United for the expanded selection.
It’s also interesting to see the revolution back to aluminum. I remember back in middle school when all the vending machines made the transition from aluminum cans to plastic bottles…everything that’s old seems to become new again.
image: United
Only a drunk or clueless rube would pay $12 for a can of swill (Now in rosé!) served in a cheap United Plastic cup. United probably pays that much for an entire bottle of the already-cheap stuff they pour in business class so you can imagine the markup on those cans. Its the same quality booze they currently sell in the little plastic bottles, except in a can.
“Premium” my ass.
LOL! Not even the water served on US airlines is worth drinking since it is tap water. What a joke these wines from United.
Are they finally replacing that awful Prosecco in First?
If this is better, you can request it at no charge when flying in first class.
I was really looking forward to a review of their wine flight from you. Something like “with gentle hints of grapefruit and a little aluminum on the finish”.
I have enjoyed some decent wines in aluminum cans on the golf course. The wine cans, like beer, chill quickly and take up less space and weight than glass. (At home, only glass for wine.) So if you are of the opinion that only cheap wine can come in a can, then what about your beer? Considering all the recent news about the prevalence of micro plastics and their effect on the human endocrine system, switching from storing consumable acidic liquids in plastic to aluminum is probably a plus. Or would prefer that your beer on board come in plastic bottles rather than aluminum cans?
Just a follow up: The Just Enough canned Chardonnay rates a very good 89 on Wine Enthusiast. UA’s price is only about 25% above the direct-from-winery price. I can’t find ratings on UA’s other Just Enough varieties, but overall, Just Enough, is a respectable winery.
At least it’s not Franzia Founder’s Reserve Roadkill Estate Field Blend Red-ish in a milk carton. I made the mistake of using that one to deglaze a stainless steel skillet and it voided my All-Clad warranty.
I think canned wine is brilliant. You can be active, gesture with your hands, and you won’t ever feel restricted. Unlike when you have a wine glass and you can’t help but spill wine all over the place. Good move United
@Matthew, completely unrelated, but will Elena be contributing more? Ever since her (very good) first post, she’s been MIA. Sundays could benefit from her regular posts…
As for the canned wine, some are actually decent. My only issue is that they’re incredibly hard to pour into cups/glasses without spilling, so it’s better to drink them directly from the can.
More coming soon!
Given the swill they serve in first class I don’t think this matters.
I remember the first time I flew Emirates and they offered three varieties of my favorite Californian- Cakebread- among a dozen others.
The USA 3 just don’t get it anymore.
What will be served in premium plus? This or the J bottles?
if it is anything like the wine jetBlue serves, in a can, it is absolutely undrinkable.