The new first class

Of course, it's not all about being unconscious. You can't sleep through an entire 14-hour flight. Second on Bergman's list of amenities that make an impression is the promise of good food and wine, coupled with the ability to improvise. Bergman consistently enjoys Virgin Atlantic's in-flight bar, networking and noshing away on flights from Europe to L.A. However, the memory of an impromptu mid-flight snack of two fresh scrambled eggs on a long Singapore Airlines flight still brings a gleam of pleasure to the veteran traveler's eye.

And by all reports, Singapore Airlines is the carrier to beat for superlative service. They've just announced the imminent arrival of brand-new appointments in their first-class cabins, offering a mind-numbing 35-inch, loveseat-like, mahogany-clad lounge for its well-heeled customers to loll about in while they gaze into their 23-inch LCD personal entertainment monitors.

Passengers will also have access to keyboards, USB ports (for flash storage) and preloaded software for document and presentation editing. And, oh yes, the bed linens and pillows are designed by Givenchy. It's a testament to Singapore Airline's track record of excellence that the very idea of these upgrades have sent excited murmurs across the travel landscape.

Other notable carriers include All Nippon Airlines — with the widest current seat, soon to be eclipsed by Singapore. Lufthansa's menu is refreshed every two months by a powerhouse roster of star chefs, including the likes of Paul Bocuse, Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller.

Emirates, based in Dubai, is the only airline to offer the private "suites" mentioned at the top of this article, as well as the sky-simulating cabin ceiling that gradually shifts from day to dusk to starlight as the trip progresses. Emirates is also hoping to add showers to some of its first-class cabins — perhaps when the new Airbus A380 arrives for service, or perhaps even sooner.

And the future is really where the world of luxury travel gets exciting. There's no limit to the possibilities that unfold when new jets are introduced. Both the Airbus A380 and Boeing's 787 Dreamliner are mega-jumbo jets that will be literally decked out with exotic features — or so say the scale mockups. Airbus's upcoming A380s, which are running just a wee late, can be configured to include business centers, boutiques, billiard rooms, bars and whatever else enterprising cabin outfitters can dream up.

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