Air New Zealand, the airline famed for its cheeky safety videos, borderline-addictive lollies, and, you know, flying people places, has been quietly fermenting a plan to join the ranks of celebrity booze moguls. From Ryan Reynolds’ aptly named Aviation gin to Snoop Dogg’s rosé, the A-list liquor league is packed with star power. Now, Air New Zealand is adding its name to the party with its very own wine label: Thirteen Forty Five. And the price of a pour? Just a boarding pass.
Inspired by the airline’s first 1940 flight from Auckland to Sydney, Thirteen Forty Five celebrates that 1345-mile journey in the best way possible: by toasting it with a glass (or three). The airline teamed up with wine wizards Villa Maria to craft an exclusive sauvignon blanc and a smooth pinot noir, bottled up with a dash of New Zealand history and a big splash of altitude-boosted flavour.
The Grape Escape: Sky science explained
“This wasn’t about simply putting our label on a bottle – we’ve collaborated with Indevin’s world-class winemakers to craft these unique blends,” General Manager of Customer Experience Kylie McGillivray-Brown says.
Her team even worked with Marlborough winemakers to give each bottle a little extra zing that cuts through the thin air at cruising altitude.
Not to get too sciencey on you, but basically the airline and its winemakers have engineered wine specifically for how your taste receptors work at 30,000 feet. Basically, putting altitude and taste together like pavlova and passionfruit (even if the Kiwis mistakenly claim pav birthrights).
Sir Richard Branson is likely getting ideas (while swirling his own brandy, of course).
Plus, we know the wine is posh because 1345 is spelt with letters.
Only available in three places… And your local bottle-o isn’t one of them
Now, let’s talk about where you can get your hands on a bottle. Spoiler alert: you’ll need to be on board. In true VIP style, Thirteen Forty Five will be available from March next year exclusive to Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy passengers, as well as anyone chilling in its lounges, and for a limited time, during Koru Hour on certain domestic flights.
Air New Zealand is holding its grapes close to the chest. You won’t find Thirteen Forty Five in any old liquor shop. Nope, it’s as exclusive as your Airpoints balance.
But if you’re lucky enough to have some spare Airpoints, you can snap up a bottle in the Airpoints Store.
A vintage voyage: A toast to Air New Zealand’s legacy
Air New Zealand’s dive into wine isn’t a random sip and swirl. It’s a nod to the airline’s original pioneering flight that helped put New Zealand on the map. With wine ambassadors who already source some of the best wines from Waiheke Island to Central Otago for its Business Premier cabin, Air New Zealand has been quietly mastering the wine game for years. And now, with Thirteen Forty Five, the airline is ready to fly (and pour) its own flag.
Thirteen Forty Five’s wines aren’t just beverages—they’re crafted, curated experiences that take in the landscapes of Marlborough, echoing the natural flavors of New Zealand in each glass. Sipping on these exclusive blends invites passengers to embrace a bit of Kiwi heritage with each pour, celebrating the connection between flight, place, and taste.
“Each pour will be a toast to the journeys that have connected New Zealanders with each other and New Zealand to the world,” McGillivray-Brown says.
In related news, Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty, will be stepping down in early 2025 after a 20-year tenure with the airline. Geraghty, known for her work in enhancing the airline’s customer experience and expanding international markets, will be returning to Australia to spend more time with her family. The airline has started the search for her successor as they continue their focus on customer engagement and service excellence.
