Qantas Airways Earns Big Honors in Global Traveler's First Annual ``Wine on the...

Business Editors/Travel Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 2004

In the first annual "Wine on the Wing" competition hosted by Global Traveler magazine, Qantas Airways took Top 10 honors in all three categories for its red, white and sparkling wines.

In the Champagnes/Sparkling Wines category, Qantas placed second for its Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagner, NV mis en cave en 1998. The airline also took 7th place in the Whites category for its Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay 2002, Margaret River, Australia, as well as in the Reds category for its Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 1998, Australia.

"We are very pleased to be honored by Global Traveler magazine with this recognition for our onboard wine service," said Wally Mariani, Qantas Airways senior executive vice president, The Americas. "Our carefully selected wines, which complement our specially created inflight cuisine, are one of the hallmarks of our service," he added.

At Qantas, every meal has a distinctive Australian flair that also reflects the diversity and flavors of the countries the airline serves. Neil Perry's inflight cuisine is prepared using the freshest produce provided by a global network of specialist suppliers and is accompanied by quality spirits, international beers and wines that have been hand selected from Australia's finest winemakers. Onboard, Qantas passengers can experience a level dining only expected in a five-star restaurant.

Dedicated to the upscale luxury and business traveler, Global Traveler magazine evaluated up to five selections from each entrant's business class menus, including one selection of either champagne or sparkling wine, and two selections each of white wine and red wine. The official competition tasting was held at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City in March, where more than 35 internationally respected sommeliers evaluated the five samples from each entrant. The winner in each category was then determined by a total of the judges' votes.

Qantas Airways has been the Spirit of Australia for 84 years. The airline currently operates a fleet of 187 aircraft, across a network spanning 142 destinations in 32 countries. For more information about Qantas Airways, please visit the Web site at www.QantasUSA.com.