The winners of Business Traveller‘s Cellars in the Sky Awards 2018 have been announced, with Qantas scooping six Gold medals.

The annual awards, which recognise the best business and first class wines served by airlines worldwide, were presented at The Langham, London, by Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge.

Qantas was the evening’s biggest winner, taking the coveted Gold Medal for Best Overall Cellar, as well as the top spots in the Best First Class White, Best First Class Sparkling (jointly with Air France and Cathay Pacific), Best First Class Cellar, Best-Presented First Class Wine List, and Best Business Class Fortified / Dessert Wine categories.

Cathay Pacific won two Gold Medals for Best First Class Sparkling (jointly with Air France and Qantas) and Best Business Class Red, while Malaysia Airlines took the top spot in the Best First Class Red category, ANA won the award for Best First Class Fortified / Dessert Wine, and Qatar Airways took the top spot in the Best Business Class Sparkling category.

Oneworld was named Best Airline Alliance, while founder member carrier British Airways took the Gold Medal for Best Business Class Cellar.

And a special note to US low-cost carrier Jetblue, which won a Gold Medal in the Cellars in the Sky competition for the first time, taking the top spot in the Best Business Class White category.

Business Traveller contacted airlines in summer 2018, and 33 entered.

Blind tastings of 240 bottles took place at London’s Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, in December, with the four judges independently scoring the wines over the course of two days.

Participating airlines were: Aegean, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aircalin, Air Canada, Air France, Air Italy, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, American Airlines, ANA, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Dragon, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, EVA Air, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Iberia, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, Jetblue, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Virgin Atlantic.

The prestigious Cellars in the Sky event was in its 33rd year in 2018, having been running since 1985.

For more information and images for publications please contact Kirsty Clark [email protected] or tel +44 (0)20 7821 2700.

For a full list of winners and shortlisted airlines, click here.

Readers can join Business Traveller for a Cellars in the Sky tasting event at The Royal Automobile Club on April 8. For more information visit businesstravellerevents.com.