British Airways elevates beverage...

Expert Tim Jackson will be curating the in-house drinks portfolio

British Airways has appointed Master of Wine Tim Jackson MW, who will be sourcing and developing the airline’s drinks offering on-board and in lounges.

Jackson is one of only 415 Masters of Wine in the world today. The qualification is globally recognised as the highest one can receive when it comes to the assessment, knowledge and understanding of wine, with a strong commercial focus.

British Airways’ new Master of Wine stated: “I’m delighted to be the first person to take this position at British Airways. As an avid traveller, I have sampled wine from all corners of the globe, ranging from California to Chile, so I hope my love for travel, together with my experience and knowledge of beverages, will make a positive difference to the premium experience we offer our customers.”

Some of the changes already implemented include the addition of new Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines in premium cabins, offering festive Bordeaux during the holiday season in first class, and a quarterly focus on unique wine regions across the network.

There are also plans to champion British beers, promote classic gins and put a spotlight on non-alcoholic alternatives that are especially attractive to the region.

Director of onboard experience at British Airways, Sajida Ismail said: “We are really excited to have Tim at British Airways. His knowledge and expertise play an integral role in our efforts to continue to deliver the premium experience that our customers look for when they fly with us and offer products that our colleagues are proud to serve. Going forward, we also have lots of exciting plans that will champion new drink offerings and celebrate the global network that we fly to.”

The appointment is part of a wider plan by the airline with the aim of upgrading its product. This step follows the improvement of service across all cabin classes and the relaunch of seasonal British menus for the Club World brasserie dining experience.