Qantas has announced a number of enhancements to its international Business service to help customers get a better night's sleep.

Key among the improvements to the business class cabin is a new sleep service that sees a mattress placed over the existing Skybeds on international flights, and customers offered duvets instead of blankets, for extra comfort.

Business class customers will also enjoy exclusive Kate Spade New York and Jack Spade amenity kits, and have more control over their dining experience, with Select on Q-Eat, a service enabling customers to select from a wider menu by choosing their meal and when they would like to dine, before they board.

Qantas International Chief Executive Officer Simon Hickey said the new Qantas international Business service was focused on improving the opportunity for premium customers to sleep on international flights.

"Qantas is focused on putting the customer at the centre of everything we do, making Qantas International best for global travellers. This means listening to our customers, understanding why they fly with us and providing the best service we can," said Mr Hickey.

"Our premium customers travelling in Business have told us they want greater choice and the ability to maximise their sleep. That's why we've made these changes."

"An initial trial of the Select on Q-Eat meal service on our Los Angeles route was very well received by customers, who liked the broader menu and the ability to choose in advance at what stage in the flight they would like to eat," added Mr Hickey.

Qantas will continue to trial its Select on Q-Eat meal service on select routes and will progressively introduce additional enhancements across its international network of A380s, B747s and A330s from mid November.

This follows Qantas' announcement that it will offer a door-to-door chauffeur service to Business and First customers on long haul flights over 12 hours, from April 2013, in connection with its proposed partnership with Emirates. The Qantas-Emirates partnership remains subject to regulatory approval.

These new products are set to enhance Qantas' premium international Business offering that currently includes award winning Mark Newson designed Skybeds, priority check-in, Neil Perry designed menu options, and an inflight entertainment system featuring a 10.4 inch touch screen, noise cancelling headsets and over 500 entertainment options.

The new Qantas international Business service includes:

New Qantas Business Amenity Kits (Designed by Kate Spade New York and Jack Spade)

Kate Spade New York and Jack Spade have teamed with Qantas to develop an exclusive new amenity kit for the Qantas Business traveller. The Ladies kit features a slim line travel pouch with an exclusive City Lights print by Kate Spade New York. The Male kit features a distinctive, modern travel pouch design by Jack Spade. Each kit also includes a selection of luxury Malin+Goetz skin care products as well as comfort items, including an eyemask, ear plugs, socks and an environmentally friendly biodegradable toothbrush with toothpaste.

Duvet Sleep Service

Qantas' new sleep service will offer customers a mattress, duvet, and a special T2 wellbeing tea blend designed to encourage sleep. On shorter night flights Qantas will introduce an express breakfast service to give customers even more sleep time.

Qantas Select on Q-Eat

Qantas' Select on Q-Eat allows Business customers to select their preferred meal service online 72 to 24 hours prior to departure. By pre-ordering their meal, customers are given access to a wider range of supper choices. Customers can also advise via Select on Q-Eat if they would like to skip the supper service, so cabin crew know they want to go to sleep straightaway.

Contributed by Qantas Airways Limited