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Mile-High Luxuries Abound

Live the high life in more ways than one on today's finest luxury airlines

By Sophie Goldstein, Newser User

Posted Nov 5, 2007 4:28 PM CST

(Newser) – Airbus' long-awaited A380, with its private suites and double beds, isn't the only luxury to be found at 30,000 feet. Jet Airways' Boeing 777-300ER features a champagne cooler loaded with vintage Dom and a 23-inch flat-screen TV with 500 on-demand programs. Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 747-400 lets fliers dine face-to-face on their signature satay and offers expedited customs, Conde Nast Traveler reports.

Other airlines aren't skimping, either, reports Forbes—Gulf Air's first-class passengers have an on-board chef, and Qantas precedes an eight-course meal with caviar. On Thai Airways, a butler whisks passengers through check-in, immigration, and security to a lounge that includes a spa with rain showers, sauna, yoga studio, and professional masseuses.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Australians Tony and Julie Elwood share a romantic moment on their double bed in the exclusive suite aboard the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. The world's largest jetliner... (Associated Press)

A Singapore Airlines stewardess straightens the duvet cover on one of two double beds aboard the first production Airbus A380 superjumbo jet bearing the colors of Singapore Airlines during the delivery... (Associated Press)

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Mile-High Luxuries Abound