Air New Zealand is raising a glass to its new wine label, Thirteen Forty Five, an exclusive offering crafted to celebrate the airline’s rich history.

Available now to Air New Zealand and Airpoints Store customers, the label pays tribute to a pivotal moment in the airline’s legacy — its inaugural flight from Auckland to Sydney in 1940, covering 1345 miles.

The name “Thirteen Forty Five” was chosen to mark the inaugural flight of the airline’s predecessor, TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited), which connected New Zealand to the world in 1940.

This flight signalled the beginning of a new era for air travel. The exclusive label, developed in collaboration with renowned New Zealand winemaker Villa Maria, celebrates this important historical event with two signature varietals — Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Crafted from some of the best vineyards in Marlborough, the Sauvignon Blanc offers delightful aromas of passionfruit, lemongrass, and subtle herbal notes. At the same time, the Pinot Noir presents a perfect blend of cherry, plum, and hints of violets and dried herbs.

According to Tom Dixon, the winemaker at Villa Maria, “We couldn’t have asked for better vintages to produce the debut release of these wines. The conditions during the growing seasons were very favourable, and we’re excited to offer wines that truly reflect the essence of Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.”

Thirteen Forty Five will be served in Air New Zealand lounges across New Zealand and Premium Economy cabins on international flights to celebrate the launch. Bottles of the wine are also available for purchase at the Airpoints Store, making it accessible for wine enthusiasts everywhere.

For a special treat, travellers will be able to sample these exclusive wines during Koru Hour on select domestic flights throughout March.

Kylie McGillivray-Brown, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Customer Experience, expressed her excitement about the new wine venture: “Thirteen Forty Five is a passion project that honors our legacy while creating something exceptional for our customers. We’re thrilled to finally share it, especially during the year of our 85th Anniversary.”

Looking ahead, Air New Zealand plans to continue evolving the Thirteen Forty Five label by introducing a new vintage of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a new red varietal from Hawke’s Bay — celebrating the diverse winegrowing regions across New Zealand.

The airline’s wine program, which annually invites winemakers to submit their best selections for blind tasting, will feature 47 wineries in 2025, offering a broad range of premium wines from regions such as Waiheke Island and Central Otago.

“New Zealand boasts some of the world’s finest wines, and we are proud to bring these exceptional selections to our customers,” says McGillivray-Brown. “It’s a privilege to showcase the best of New Zealand and celebrate the unique flavours of our home.”

All photos courtesy of Air New Zealand.

Riyadh, 1 March 2025 – In a significant gesture of generosity and hospitality, CATRION, a leading provider of inflight catering services, has partnered with flynas, the Middle East’s premier low-cost airline, to offer over 300,000 complimentary Iftar meals to passengers during the holy month of Ramadan.

This special initiative ensures that fasting passengers can break their fast comfortably in the air, enhancing their travel experience.

Dr. Rashid Al-Arfaj, Executive Vice President of In-Flight Catering at CATRION, and Mr. Fahad Al-Mulhem, Vice President of Customer Experience at flynas, formalised the agreement.

For the first time, passengers flying on flynas during Iftar will receive complimentary meal boxes containing a range of options to help break their fast.

Typically, passengers must pre-order and pay for their meals. Still, this unique collaboration ensures that all passengers travelling at Iftar time will be offered a thoughtfully prepared meal at no additional cost.

The meals will include essential ingredients like dates, water, and laban and nutritious and fulfilling options suitable for breaking the fast.

“We are honoured to collaborate with flynas to provide over 300,000 passengers with the chance to enjoy a special Iftar meal during Ramadan,” said Dr Rashid Al-Arfaj.

“This initiative reflects CATRION’s dedication to not only meeting the dietary needs of passengers but also enhancing their overall experience with culturally sensitive offerings during the holiest month for millions of Muslims worldwide.”

The collaboration with CATRION further solidifies flynas’s position as a customer centric airline focused on enhancing the overall travel experience, especially during the Ramadan season.

“We are proud to give our passengers such a thoughtful gesture during Ramadan,” said Mr. Fahad Al-Mulhem.

“With this initiative, we aim to make our passengers’ journeys more comfortable and meaningful, aligning with our commitment to exceptional service. It’s a great honour to offer complimentary Iftar meals to all passengers, reinforcing our dedication to quality, service excellence, and customer care.”

CATRION has established itself as a leading name in inflight catering and integrated hospitality services, providing fresh, high-quality meals. This partnership with flynas demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to meeting passengers’ needs.

Through partnerships with major airlines like flynas, CATRION plays an essential role in the global aviation food and beverage industry.

All photos courtesy of Catrion.

Zurich, Switzerland February 27, 2025 – SWISS International Air Lines (SWISS) is taking its passengers on a gourmet journey to the picturesque canton of Uri in central Switzerland.

As part of its ongoing ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ inflight culinary program, SWISS will introduce an exclusive menu for First Class and Business Class passengers, created by Joshua Lüscher, from the Zwyssighaus restaurant in the village of Bauen.

For the next three months, Starting March 5, 2025, travellers aboard SWISS long-haul flights from Switzerland will experience the finest of Uri’s flavours crafted by Lüscher, who has earned 15 GaultMillau points for his culinary talent.

Known for its serene setting by Lake Lucerne, Bauen in Canton Uri is the perfect inspiration for these dishes, combining the region’s culinary traditions with modern flair.

“We’re extremely excited to bring the authentic taste of Canton Uri to our inflight guests,” says Julia Hillenbrand, Head of Brand Experience at SWISS.

“Joshua Lüscher’s creations are the perfect blend of traditional Uri fare with contemporary innovation, reflecting both our culinary heritage and the global aspirations of SWISS. These meals promise to surprise and delight our guests with bold flavours and rich Swiss history.”

Chef Joshua Lüscher shares his enthusiasm: “It’s truly an honour to work with SWISS and present a part of our Uri culture at such lofty heights. I’m excited for passengers to experience our food in a new way, bringing something unique and personal from the shores of Lake Lucerne to their seat.”

The Dishes

In First Class, passengers will be treated to a starter of tatar of cured pikeperch with mustard pickles, served alongside marinated white asparagus. The main course options include a tender veal steak with herb butter jus, green pea, and potato purée.

Alternatively, guests can opt for goat meatballs in velouté with crayfish and clam sauce, bringing an unexpected yet delicious twist to the traditional Swiss fare. To end the meal, passengers can indulge in a dulce de leche tartlet with poached pear.

In Business Class, passengers can look forward to a revamped classic starter of Vitello salmon with capers and toasted brioche. The main course options include braised beef shoulder and jus with morels paired with ribelmais polenta or chicken breast with Casimir curry sauce.

For dessert, a lemon cake with mascarpone and verbena gel adds a refreshing and tangy finish.

For Premium Economy Class travellers, the culinary experience also takes inspiration from Uri’s traditional flavours. A beef stew with red wine sauce and a fruity rhubarb tiramisu await to end the meal on a sweet note.

Lüscher’s menu also includes braised beef shoulder, lamb shawarma, chicken machboos, and a range of traditional Arabic desserts.

Canton Uri

Canton Uri is known for its alpine terrain, historical significance, and strong culinary heritage.

The region’s cuisine has been deeply connected to its geography, offering hearty, flavorful meals that reflect both the agricultural and alpine lifestyle.

The village of Bauen, home to Zwyssighaus, offers breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains.

“Uri is a place where food connects to tradition but also invites creativity,” Lüscher adds. “It’s about honouring the land while pushing culinary boundaries. I’m thrilled to see this come to life at 30,000 feet with SWISS.”

Swiss Tradition

SWISS’s ‘Taste of Switzerland’ program has been integral to the airline’s offerings for over two decades. Every quarter, a new region of Switzerland is showcased, with top chefs creating dishes highlighting local specialties. S

WISS collaborates with gategourmet, its catering partner, to ensure that these high quality creations are served fresh and at their best, elevating the onboard dining experience for passengers.

“The ‘Taste of Switzerland’ program aims to allow our passengers to experience the diverse culinary landscapes of Switzerland right from their seats,” says Hillenbrand.

“With Lüscher’s inventive take on Uri cuisine, we’re giving travellers a taste of the heart of Switzerland, no matter where they are in the world.”

All photos courtesy of Swiss.

Dubai, UAE, February 27, 2025 — Emirates is enhancing the travel experience for its passengers during the Holy Month of Ramadan, offering a range of services designed to support fasting customers and reflect the spirit of togetherness and generosity.

From Ramadan meal boxes to unique content and tailored crew training, Emirates goes above and beyond to make the journey more comfortable and meaningful.

Ramadan Iftar Boxes and Special Meals Onboard

Emirates will offer Ramadan Iftar boxes onboard across all cabin classes to help passengers break their fast in comfort. These thoughtfully designed meal boxes, featuring geometric patterns inspired by traditional Islamic art, include light bites such as hummus, moutabal, dates, sweet treats, and options like chicken zaatar wraps and lamb shawarma.

Passengers can enjoy these meals in addition to the regular hot meal service.

For passengers flying to Jeddah and Medina for Umrah, the airline is also offering Ramadan boxes specifically for them.

Ramadan in the Emirates Lounges

Passengers can also enjoy a traditional Iftar experience at Emirates Lounges at Dubai International Airport (DXB), where Arabic sweets, dates, and coffee are served.

Unique dishes like lentil soup, Arabic mezze, lamb mandi, and pistachio kunafa offer a taste of Ramadan hospitality.

For a peaceful worship experience, Emirates lounges are equipped with dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities.

Iftar at Boarding Gates

Emirates is distributing complimentary Iftar boxes containing water, laban, dates, and fruit for fasting passengers at boarding gates to help them break their fast just in time for departure.

Unique Flight Timing Technology

Emirates uses a unique tool to ensure passengers can break their fast at the correct time while flying. The system calculates accurate imsak (time to begin fasting) and Iftar (time to break the fast) based on the aircraft’s location, altitude, and the sun’s position. Passengers are informed of the exact time for Iftar via a captain’s announcement.

Ramadan Content and Entertainment

Onboard, passengers can access various Ramadan-related religious content and popular TV series on Emirates’ ice entertainment system, including religious shows in Arabic and Urdu. The Holy Qur’an and a wide range of Arabic dramas and music are also available to further enrich the travel experience during the Holy Month.

Emirates’ Ramadan Awareness Training for Staff

Emirates offers extensive Ramadan awareness training for its cabin crew and ground teams. This training helps staff understand the cultural significance of Ramadan and prepares them to accommodate the needs of fasting passengers.

All photos courtesy of Emirates.

TORONTO and MONTREAL, February 19, 2025—Porter Airlines has announced a new partnership with Café Saint-Henri, bringing premium, sustainably sourced coffee to its growing North American network.

Now, passengers can enjoy meticulously crafted coffee designed to enhance flavour at altitude, offering a richer inflight coffee experience.

Inflight Coffee Experience

Café Saint-Henri, a rMontreal-based coffee roaster, has carefully selected and roasted coffee beans to adapt to the unique conditions of inflight consumption.

“At altitude, sensory perception changes,” explains Thibaut Paggen, Coffee Department Manager at Café Saint-Henri.

“We considered this when crafting this coffee, ensuring that the beans are both high-quality and roasted to enhance the flavour at cruising altitude.”

The airline has a long history of elevating the passenger experience by offering thoughtfully selected local brands, including partnerships with Jackson-Triggs wine and Balzac’s Coffee Roasters.

The addition of Café Saint-Henri’s coffee to the inflight menu is a natural extension of Porter’s approach to offering local brands.

Coffee Crafted with Care

The selection process—from bean sourcing to roasting in Montreal—is designed to deliver the best possible cup for passengers at 30,000 feet.

“This coffee represents a significant step forward in the in-flight dining experience,” said Julian Low, Vice President of Corporate Development at Porter Airlines.

“Partnering with Café Saint-Henri brings an unrivalled coffee experience to our complimentary catering menu, which already features premium Canadian brands that share our values of excellence and sustainability.”

A Shared Commitment to Quality

Sébastien Grenache, President of Café Saint-Henri, expressed, “It’s an honour to partner with Porter Airlines and introduce this special coffee to travellers.

We share the same mission: to offer the best for our customers, and we are excited to bring our passion for coffee to the skies.”

As both companies continue to prioritise sustainability and customer experience, this partnership is set to redefine how passengers experience coffee while travelling.

Café Saint-Henri’s coffee will be served across Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft.