Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - SFO to MEL?

Is Air New Zealand a fairly economical airline to book from SFO-AKL-MEL without subtracting any services? Or is it better to go SFO-SYD-MEL on Qantas? I see that Singapore Airways, although excellent, will go SFO-HKG-SIN-MEL, which is quite labourious.

Haven't checked prices, but another approach might be to get a cheap SFO - LAX flight then take the QF LAX-MEL direct (SFO - LAX probably cheaper than SYD - MEL).

Haven't checked prices, but another approach might be to get a cheap SFO - LAX flight then take the QF LAX-MEL direct (SFO - LAX probably cheaper than SYD - MEL).
True, although I don't think the OP would pay the normal fare for Sydney to Melbourne: either it would be part of the international ticketing, or if not, there are usually very cheap "side trips" on a Qantas ticket into Australia.

Myself, I'm not sure that there is much in the choice between Air New Zealand and Qantas: both are first-rung airlines but not as good as some of the south-east Asian ones, and Qantas is not as good as it thinks it is (in my observation...), but still, they're both fine. I can't comment on pricing though. I shouldn't think that there'd be much difference in flight times.

You might want to look into what transfer arrangements the Qantas flight would have in Sydney. If you can continue on to Melbourne as an international passenger (as happens sometimes, or used to anyway), then that's fine. If you have to pass through immigration and customs in Sydney, you'd then have to transfer (presumably) to the Qantas domestic terminal, and an international transfer in Auckland would be easier than that.

I certainly agree that to go from San Francisco to Melbourne via Hong Kong and Singapore seems ridiculous.

NZ is the pick of the bunch. On 747 34" pitch, good food & drink, great service, and gate to gate IFE with hundreds of channels (you can start watching as soon as you reach your seat). Transit in AKL is painless (coordinated schedules), and far easier than transferring in SYD (which involves change of terminals).

The only thing to watch out for is if interested in miles the cheapest fares are non mileage earning.

You might want to look into what transfer arrangements the Qantas flight would have in Sydney. If you can continue on to Melbourne as an international passenger (as happens sometimes, or used to anyway), then that's fine.

The domestic legs of international Qantas flights have all but gone. ADL-SYD is about the only one left.

If you don't have to stop in AKL, United Airline has SFO - SYD - MEL. Depending when is your trip, the price for late Nov / early Dec is US$1300 (including tax and fees).

Another option maybe flying non-stop UA SFO - SYD ($1140 for above time frame), and buy separate ticket for SYD - MEL from Qantas or Virgin Blue.

If you don't have to stop in AKL, United Airline has SFO - SYD - MEL. Depending when is your trip, the price for late Nov / early Dec is US$1300 (including tax and fees).

Another option maybe flying non-stop UA SFO - SYD ($1140 for above time frame), and buy separate ticket for SYD - MEL from Qantas or Virgin Blue.

I had bad report of UA from friend of mine who did MEL - PHL with UA recently. They have no IFE except for the old-fashioned ceiling TV arrangement, and sitting at the back of the aircraft she said that several times they ran out of meal choice, and in one instance they had run out of wine!

My cousin booked a Star Alliance RTW ticket and is flying back to MEL from the US on UA. Oh dear! If only he knew how bad! I told him to fly back with NZ via AKL but I don't think he can change his ticket. On top of that he didn't sign up to earn miles before his first flight out of Oz but I made sure he did that when he got to London. Oooh! The frustration!!!

As mentioned, UA 744's use overhead CRT monitors in Y and the individual monitors are only in J and F. The 772's have seatback throughout, but UA does not operate them Oz-USA.

... On top of that he didn't sign up to earn miles before his first flight out of Oz but I made sure he did that when he got to London. Oooh! The frustration!!!All Oneworld airlines allow credit for flights taken shortly before signing up for a FF plan (usually the prior month); presumably Star does this too! In which case he can credit that first flight to the FF plan of his choice, after the fact.

Check out VAustralia from LAX (I know it means connecting there, but I rate it better then SYD). New 777’s with excellent IFE and service. I’ve flown it both in economy and premium economy with no complaints. I had a last minute trip and the premium seat worked out to $250 more then economy return – excellent value. Flights to Melbourne are starting soon without the necessary connection in Sydney which is always a disaster (I’ve missed 5 of the past 7 connections this year).

I made the mistake of flying United once SFO - SYD… Never again is all I can say about that.

The Air New Zealand fight is an easy connection in AKL and could be a good choice as well. I’ve only flown it in business and cant comment on the other classes.