That $17,500 ticket from L.A. to Sydney? It comes with a sip from an $850 bottle of wine

They won’t be popping the bubbly on American Airlines’ first flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia. Instead, they’ll be pouring a pricey Australian wine — 2010 Penfolds Grange Shiraz — that goes for about $850 a bottle.

The free tastings will be offered to first-class passengers who are flying nonstop from L.A. to Sydney or vice versa on Dec. 17 on American Airlines. Each inaugural flight will stock about four bottles.

The airline wouldn’t say how much first-class tickets cost for the first flights (and first class appears to be sold out on the L.A.-to-Sydney route).

I checked American’s website for travel starting Dec. 18 to get an idea of what a premium ticket would cost. Round-trip tickets go for $17,526 each. The daily flight leaves Los Angeles International Airport at 9:50 p.m. and arrives at Sydney Airport at 7:55 a.m. two days later. (It’s about a 15 1/2-hour flight.)

First-class travelers on American’s 777-300ERs will be able to snooze in lie-flat beds and access a walk-up bar on the plane. Wi-Fi access, on-demand entertainment and power outlets and USB ports are available on all seats.

American announced the new service in July, marking the first time the legacy carrier has flown this nonstop route. It also is partnering with Qantas on service between San Francisco and Sydney.

Info: American Airlines

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