The carrier also plans to renovate cabins of 86 jets by 2012, which will create a first-class capsule with its own cloakroom, 17-inch television and a two-meter-long flat bed.

Dragonair, a member of the Cathay Pacific Group, cooperated with Allure, a French restaurant at Le Royal Meridien hotel in Shanghai, in May to offer French food for first-class and business-class travelers heading to Hong Kong. Passengers can taste 11 main courses with six appetizers and wine.

Emirates Airline's in-flight menus created by world-leading chefs reflect the culture and preferences of its international customers, said the airline. Great care is taken in catering to passengers' ethnic preferences, and a range of 24 meals can be ordered to meet religious and medical dietary needs.

Dumplings

On flights to and from China, food options served in-flight include congee, dumplings, spring rolls, noodles and more. Emirates has one of the greatest wine lists available in the air, boasting the best vintage wines, ports and champagnes.

Singapore Airlines spent 360 million yuan (US$52.59 million) and four years on its cabin decoration, including the world's widest business-class seat, a 15.4-inch LCD screen, USB port and other products designed by Givenchy.

In the carrier's new Airbus A380 jet, it has created 12 luxurious suites and passengers can sleep on a stand-alone bed rather than one converted from a seat.

Air China, China's biggest international carrier, has spent 688 million yuan in renovating first-class and business-class cabins of 15 wide-body aircraft that fly from Beijing and Shanghai to Frankfurt, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Airlines are now positioning their flights as more than just a mode of transport - they are a combination of a five-star hotel, luxurious restaurant and shopping mall.

(Shanghai Daily July 16, 2008)