Last month a long-time favourite Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée Brut unceremoniously vanished from the First Class and Suites cabins on board Singapore Airlines flights, replaced with a Charles Heidsieck 2007-vintage Blanc des Millénaires.
That left many of our Krug-loving readers despondent, with some even describing the change as the “end of an era” and “a downgrade”, despite the Blanc des Millénaires’ high price tag. It also followed SIA’s removal of Dom Perignon from these cabins a year earlier.
However, there’s good news in store this week, with Singapore Airlines bringing back an even finer 2004-vintage Krug on its flights over the festive season in its top cabins, from 14th December 2023.
That will see the return of this truly impeccable Champagne in First Class and Suites for the first time in a number of years. It was first introduced in late 2017 to celebrate the launch of the airline’s latest A380 Suites product, and was then poured until late 2019, before being replaced with the non-vintage Krug Grande Cuvée.
For three days over Christmas itself, SIA will swap 2004 Krug for its seasonal favourite and well-rated Krug Rosé.
The airline does not normally offer Rosé wine or Champagne on its flights for the rest of the year, so think of this as a little festive treat.
Thankfully the return of Krug isn’t temporary either – SIA will also restore non-vintage Krug Grande Cuvée to its regular lineup from 1st January 2024.
SIA’s festive First Class Champagnes
Singapore Airlines will continue to offer three Champagnes in First Class and Suites over the festive season and beyond, a policy first adopted in June 2023.
Here’s how the Champagne lineup looks on board SIA flights in these cabins during the rest of December 2023 and January 2024.
14-23 Dec 2023 27-31 Dec 2023 |
24 – 26 Dec 2023 |
1-31 Jan 2024 |
2004 Krug Vintage 4.6 / 5 |
N.V. Krug Rosé 4.6 / 5 |
N.V. Krug Grande Cuvée 4.6 / 5 |
2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne 4.5 / 5 |
2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne 4.5 / 5 |
2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne 4.5 / 5 |
2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 4.4 / 5 |
2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 4.4 / 5 |
2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 4.4 / 5 |
This trio will be available on all routes with a First Class or Suites cabin across the network – even on the airline’s 90-minute hops to and from Jakarta.
As you can see, the good news is that Krug is not just a temporary addition, with the Grand Cuvée being restored as a regular option from January 2024 – no doubt music to the ears of many of our readers who were shocked to see this one disappear last month.
That will continue even beyond January, with Singapore Airlines confirming to Mainly Miles the latest guest Champagne for the First Class and Suites cabins from 1st February 2024.
This will see the carrier swap out Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires for a non-vintage Egly-Ouriet V.P Extra Brut Grand Cru, served alongside Krug Grand Cuvée and 2012 Tattinger Comtes.
This one scores 4.4 on Vivino, and is due to be served until at least the end of February 2024, under the airline’s rotating guest Champagne programme “A Celebration of Champagne”, showcasing Grower and Artisanal Champagnes from smaller vineyards.
Where is Singapore Airlines flying its First Class and Suites cabins?
17 destinations on the network now receive regular Singapore Airlines flights with a First Class and/or Suites cabin on board, including two “fifth freedom” routes (Frankfurt to New York and Tokyo to Los Angeles).
You can see a full list of routes and flight numbers with these products at our dedicated First Class Seats by Route page, which also shows you which flights get the A380 Suites and which get the 777 First Class product.
That list is valid for flights until the end of the northern winter season in late March 2024, with next year’s final summer schedule through to late October 2024 yet to be finalised.
Last month Auckland joined the list of routes with a First Class (Suites) cabin, in the form of a daily Airbus A380 service.
Business Class now gets Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel
In case you missed the news, in June this year Singapore Airlines brought Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Champagne to its long-haul Business Class cabins, finally replacing the unpopular Henriot Champagne on regional routes too, from the following month.
While we preferred Charles Heidsieck, which sadly seems to have run dry even on long-haul legs, the Piper is still a decent pour, picking up 4.0 stars on Vivino.
Lounge Champagne
Here are the current Champagne offerings at the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounges and The Private Room at Changi Airport, during December 2023.
Lounge | Champagne | Vivino Rating |
The Private Room T3 |
2012 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne | 4.5 / 5 |
SilverKris First T3 |
2007 Rare Brut Champagne Millésimé | 4.6 / 5 |
SilverKris First T2 |
N.V. Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus Brut Champagne | 4.2 / 5 |
SilverKris Business T3 |
N.V. Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut Champagne | 4.0 / 5 |
SilverKris Business T2 |
Champagne is not offered in the KrisFlyer Gold lounges at T3 or T2, even at Christmas time unfortunately.
Summary
Singapore Airlines is bringing Krug Champagne back to its First Class and Suites cabins over the festive season, with the excellent 2004 vintage making a return for the first time in four years, swapped out for the top Champagne house’s Rosé, on pour for three days over Christmas itself.
The good news is that it’s not a temporary comeback.
Following the sudden loss of Krug on board in these cabins last month, Singapore Airlines has confirmed that the popular Grand Cuvée is being restored as a regular option from 1st January 2024, alongside 2012 vintage Tattinger Comtes and the latest of the airline’s rotating guest Champagnes.
This will see the 2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires included through to the end of January 2024, after which we get a taste of Egly-Ouriet V.P Extra Brut Grand Cru through to the end of February 2024.
(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)
Hmmm…too many status seekers are wooed by big names. Those in the know, realize that Charles Heidsieck’s BdM is a lovely wine, and every bit as worthy of first class status as the old guard Krug.
Fantastic, just in time for my F flight.
Long live the Krug!