American Airlines is bringing onboard two culinary experts to consult on the airline’s on-board and Flagship Dining program. The airline is working in partnership with the James Beard Foundation to welcome Julia Coney and Ellie Krieger to the team.
American is bringing celebrated talent to its Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining to serve up delicious and creative in-flight menu offerings. The chefs were selected in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, an organization that seeks to promote Good Food for Good™ by advocating for equality and sustainability while supporting upcoming talent. The announcement is the latest in a longstanding collaboration between American Airlines and the nonprofit that began in 2019.
Fresh new items on land and in the sky.
Ellie Krieger has been announced to help define and design nourishing menu items for the airline. The registered dietitian, nutritionist, and award-winning cookbook author will also work with the airline’s well-being program to promote a healthy balance of wellness and indulgence.
Clarissa Sebastian, Managing Director of Premium Customer Experience Onboard Products at American Airlines, shared her excitement for the collaboration:
“Customers continue to tell us that healthy food options contribute to an enjoyable travel experience. With Ellie’s partnership, we’ll continue to design thoughtful food options through the lens of well-being, so customers can relax knowing their meal will satisfy and sustain them for what their destination holds.”
Refreshed wine offerings
The oneworld alliance carrier is also bringing onboard wine educator, writer, and consultant Julia Coney to collaborate on American’s extensive wine program. Coney will work with American to redefine its offerings to incorporate more diverse customer tastes.
The award-winning chef is the first woman of color to hold this position. She will be responsible for choosing wines to be served on American’s long-haul flights and on the ground for the airline’s Flagship lounges and Flagship Cellars wine delivery service.
Coney was recently recognized as one of Wine’s Most Inspiring People for 2022 and is known for Black Wine Professionals, an organization she founded to encourage Black professionals in the wine industry through inclusive events, education, and opportunities.
“We’re proud of our reputation for serving our customers not just an excellent selection of premium wines, but a selection that’s created with guidance from some of the world’s most intentional experts in their craft,” said Clarissa Sebastian. “Julia is an unbelievable force of nature in the wine industry, who shares our commitment that wine is an experience that should be enjoyable and approachable for everyone. She’s a perfect fit to guide our program forward in partnership with the James Beard Foundation”.
The culinary educator, who is a member of the University of California at Davis’ Department of Viticulture and Enology Executive Leadership Board, will also be developing wine education programs for team members.
The product selection process
The legacy carrier invests heavily in its wine program and has won more Global Traveler Wines on the Wing awards than any other U.S airline. Wine experts such as Julia Coney meet the team's award-winning master sommelier to blind taste over 2,000 wines each year before narrowing them down to a representative sample the team feels would resonate with customers.
Codeshare partner British Airways also recently upgraded its drinks offerings. The flag carrier recently announced a partnership with Ryan Reynolds' Aviation American Gin company. The gin was launched to celebrate the carrier's new route from London Heathrow to Portland and is served on transatlantic flights and offered from the in-flight menu for short-haul customers.