FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- It's time, once again, to break out a case of the bubbly at American Airlines. According to Global Traveler magazine, the premier choice for sparkling wine while cruising at 35,000 feet belongs to American Airlines.

Global Traveler's panel of wine judges selected American Airlines as serving the Best Sparkling Wine in the North American Premium Class category for its Gloria Ferrer Brut Sonoma. This annual "Wines on the Wing" wine survey accolade was formally announced in the August issue of Global Traveler magazine.

"American Airlines is honored that Global Traveler has named our Premium Class sparkling wine the best," said Lauri Curtis, American's Vice President - Onboard Service. "We strive to serve the finest wine possible and are consistently working to enhance the inflight dining experience for all of our wine-loving passengers."

According to Global Traveler, 27 airlines submitted 54 white wines, 56 red wines and 24 champagne or sparkling wines currently on their international Business Class and North American Premium Class wine lists for a blind taste test. The tasting was organized by Global Traveler's wine columnist and noted wine expert, Eunice Fried, using 35 independent judges who are noted wine-industry experts. The airlines with the highest totals won.

"Global Traveler is the only U.S.-based magazine hosting this type of wine survey in the States. We pride ourselves on the unbiased results and are proud to bring our readers information on premium travel they cannot get anywhere else," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. "Year after year, American Airlines continues to be a standout in our survey. We are honored to present them the Wines on the Wing award again. Our readers know they can expect first-rate service onboard American Airlines, from the wine service and beyond."

Selection of the exceptional wines served onboard American's flights is handled by official wine consultant, Ken Chase, a classically trained winemaker and viticulturist. Chase updates American's wine list monthly to ensure that only the finest red, white, sparkling and dessert wines are available onboard.

Chase has designed 19 special wine lists for international and domestic flights to ensure that each selection complements the ethnic, cultural, seasonal and stylistic differences of each destination. Careful attention also is placed on matching American's menu items with appropriate wine lists. These measures show American's dedication to providing the passenger with a premier inflight dining experience.

American, a founding member of the global oneworld® Alliance, has been singled out by Global Traveler magazine in the past for its wine selection. In August 2007, American won first place for Best International Business Class White Wine category for J. Wegeler-Erben Riesling Spatlese Bernkasteler Doctor 2004, as well as second place in the Best International Business Class Red Wine category for its Chateau Batailley Pauillac 2003. For more information and to view the current list of American's award-winning wines, please visit www.aa.com/wine.