Last week Lufthansa sent its first retrofitted 747-400 from Hong Kong to Frankfurt and those flying first class were in for quite a surprise.

Where previously these planes catered for 16 passengers in their ultra-luxury section, now they are fitted out for just eight and that means a full-length, window-side bed next to the seat, among other treats.

Lufthansa’s move comes as the likes of Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air New Zealand and Air Canada have done away with first class cabins in favor of expanded business class facilities.

Delta Air Lines has been voted the world’s most admired airline by Fortune magazine, managing to push Singapore Airlines into second place.

The award means that Delta came out top in a string of assessments including social responsibility and quality of product, as well as business-related criteria such as quality of management and global competitiveness.

Delta has moved steadily up the ranks over the past four years to reach top spot, which was awarded to Singapore Airlines last year — the airline’s boss Richard Anderson described the award as a “remarkable achievement” in a note to staff.

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.

The hotel loyalty program Marriott Rewards, which counts 33 million members, has swept an awards event honoring the world’s best frequent traveler schemes.

It won the best hotel Program of the Year in both the Americas and in Europe, as well as a further nine awards, the most of any brand at the Frequent Traveler Awards presented November 4.

Gongs for the program included Best Redemption Promotion, Best Earning Promotion and Best Redemption Ability in the hotel category across the Americas, Europe and Africa, and Middle East and Oceania.

Qatar Airways has topped a list of “best-dressed” airlines conducted by airfare comparison site Skyscanner.

The airline’s “retro-look” uniforms won the votes of 33 percent of respondents to Skyscanner poll, which was timed to coincide with London Fashion Week last week.

Air France‘s uniforms, designed by Christian Lacroix, came second place with 17 percent, while British Airways came in third with 15 percent.

Singapore Airlines is to offer private jet transfer in Europe to passengers flying from Australia, the airline confirmed last week.

A partnership with Lufthansa’s Private Jet services will mean that passengers flying to one of Singapore Airline’s 14 European destinations will be able to continue their journey on a private jet to one of over 1,000 airports in Europe.

The model is almost exactly the same as PrivateConnect, the British Airways tie-up with CitationAir announced earlier this year which provides private jet connections in North America for passengers arriving on BA flights.