Moving to China with my frenchie but don't want him to fly...

Has anyone flown in first class with their dog?  Do they allow you to take them out of the carrier if it's a long flight?  I'm moving to China and I need to take my 4 yr. old french bulldog but he has never flown before and I'm afraid if he is boarded in the cargo space that he may hyperventilate.  Does anyone know of any cruise lines that allow pets or has anyone boarded their flat nose dog before?  Any help you have would be greatly appreciated, I have to take my dog with me or else I will go insane in a foreign land where I don't speak the language.