American Airlines is seeking to improve the entertainment side of its service by making Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab 10.1 available to premium class travelers.

In a June 13 announcement Virasb Vahidi, American’s Chief Commercial Officer, announced that “through our agreement with Samsung, American is the first North American airline to offer a branded tablet onboard its aircraft.”

“We are working hard to revitalize our fleet and invest wisely in new products and services to modernize and enhance the travel experience”

Etihad Airways has launched new amenity kits for male and female passengers travelling in First class on flights between Abu Dhabi and selected cities.

In the following weeks, the new kits will be made available progressively across the airline’s First class long-haul route network.

Women’s kits include moisturises, lip balm and hand cream from La Prairie as well as a Swarovski crystal adorned black purse suitable for storing cosmetics.

Qantas has again been lauded for its on-board wine selection at the annual Cellars in the Sky Award ceremony, held February 3 in London.

The Australian flag-carrier, which took four awards last year, won a total of six at this year’s airline wine tasting event, including Best First Class White, First Class Red and First Class Sparkling, as well as Best Business Class Cellar, Best First Class Cellar and Consistency of Wines Across Business and First Class.

The competition has been running since 1985 to determine the highest quality fine wines available in Business and First Class on board the world’s flights.

Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines has become the seventh airline in the world to win a five-star rating from airline reviewer Skytrax.

The prestigious ranking is awarded by Skytrax and is the highest rating an airline can achieve, signifying a “truly consistent and high quality of Product and Service.”

Hainan Airlines was the first mainland Chinese airline to be awarded four star status in 2009 and was elevated to five star last week, with exceptional rankings in long haul business and economy classes and short haul first class service.

KLM announced a partnership with Dutch chef Jonnie Boer this week, adding yet another name to the roster of kitchen superstars providing our in-flight meals.

From December 1, business class passengers onboard the flag-carrier of the Netherlands will be able to enjoy traditional Dutch food designed by Boer, whose Restaurant de Librije is ranked as one of the best in the world.

Menu selections will be accompanied by wines selected by his wife Therese Boer and served on tableware created by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders.

US carrier Delta is to buck the airline trend of shrinking premium cabins by increasing first class capacity on its domestic flights, perhaps hinting that a recovery in luxury travel may be on the cards.

The airline announced last week that from this fall it is to offer first class on all internal US flights longer than two and a half hours, an increase of some 50 routes from the current first class availability.