Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Parents to OZ and NZ in C

My 80+ years parents are considering taking the plunge and visit OZ and NZ this coming fall, probably October, traveling with a college friend(s). We're trying to figure out how to get them from LEX to SYD and AKL in at least C. My partner and I are UA FFs, upgrading to C when we travel back and forth using miles.
I'm trying to find them decent C (at least) fares to make the flying as bearable as possible. They have no status with any airline. Here are my thoughts:

1- Book them into C, with which ever fare I can find for them that's the best deal- QF, UA, NZ, whatever.
2- Gift them with UA miles from my partner and I for upgrades from Y, etc.
3- Purchase full-fare Y in the hopes of an automatic upgrade.
4- Gift them with Ameniti membership so they can buy one get one free.
5- Keep my nose out of it. :D

I'd appreciate any advice or experience you can share.
Thanks!

I'll never be the expert many of you are for this kind of thing but I certainly have more experience and knowledge of it than they do.

2 - will only be of use for United flights (on UA metal) or AC, UA miles cannot upgrade NZ or QF
3 - is no help whatsoever on QF or NZ

Another option for you to consider is premium economy on NZ. Not as good as business class but quite a lot cheaper.

Some other thoughts:

Consider NZ Premium Economy. Not as comfortable as business class, but may be an affordable option with good service, good IFE, reasonable seat etc.

Many people have been sucessful in purchasing business class upgrade at check-in for UA flights trans-Pacific. The usual rate is US$500. Choose a day of the week when business class is unlikely to be sold out and get to the airport early and ask.

Be creative and try something like AA to HNL using a YUP fare to get into First class and then JetStar StarClass from HNL to SYD or MEL. Or perhaps TN or FJ with stops mid-Pacific.

My 80+ years parents are considering taking the plunge and visit OZ and NZ this coming fall....Have your parents taken shorter trips, e.g. to Europe or Hawaii, and enjoyed it? Even in business class a 14 hour flight is an ordeal -- and if flying UA, you are constrained to the longer flight to SYD as UA doesn't fly to AKL. Flying LAX-AKL is a lot more comfortable than LAX-SYD and that might be a big difference for your parents. You might even have to break it up further, stopping in the Pacific, depending upon how well they travel. I think you have to consider the elapsed time of the flights, DVT and the other health aspects. Some 80+ year olds are fine with it, others would never do it, and it would be a shame to find out on the trip over that they don't enjoy the trip, or need a week to recover from the flight. Lots of other logistics to consider (e.g. can they drive safely on the wrong side of the road? though it sounds like they would have a driver). Both NZ and Australia tend to be physically demanding destinations (e.g. bungee jumping was invented there, and is now one of the tamer attractions), and require a lot of miles on the ground compared to Europe.

I appreciate the replies I've received.
This trip is not being taken lightly, and there's no assurance they'll go. Should they decide to, however, I want to have options available for them. And, maybe gift them with tickets (that's a big maybe)- my partner and I have been to OZ and NZ many many times and are familiar with the issues surrounding length/ discomfort of flight, size of Australia, activities in NZ, etc. My understanding is that they really want to go to visit their college friend's family who lives there, see the main sights (Opera House, GBR, koalas, etc.) And, I'm hoping they'll consider a stop in Honolulu on both in- and out-bound segments for 3 or 4 days to break up the trip. My father is 6'2" and domestic economy is sheer agony for him, but he sticks it out for some reason- they could afford F or C if they chose to.

Another option to break up the trip is flying NZ via the pacific islands (Fiji, Rarotonga, Samoa or Tonga). These are on 767s so no premium economy, but means the flights are shorter and some nice places to stop on the way. On many fares the stopover is free or a minor extra cost over nonstop fare.

I think they might enjoy that, but they also have friends in Honolulu, and a school that they help support, so there's a built-in network for them there. It's also familiar to them so that may work better.
Kiwiflyer, your opinions are greatly valued. I look forward to your posts, whether to my questions or someone else's.

And, I'm hoping they'll consider a stop in Honolulu on both in- and out-bound segments for 3 or 4 days to break up the trip. My father is 6'2" and domestic economy is sheer agony for him, but he sticks it out for some reason- they could afford F or C if they chose to.
If planning to route via HNL, then definitely look into Starclass (http://www.jetstar.com/flyingwithus/starclass.html) on JetStar (http://www.jetstar.com/au/index.html). The seats are the same as used on QF domestic business class, so not flat beds but have reasonable legroom and can be purchased for a very affordable fare. That is certainly the way I would be sending my 76yo parents. A good compromise between comfort and affordability.

I've been having many of the same issues in trying to get my folks out to Oz - they're a bit younger and more used to travel (perhaps) but they're very worried about the length of the flight.

We recently took our three kids (5, 8, 11) to Brisbane via LAX, HNL, and AUK. It is the way to go - one painful overnight flight in a kreppy 757 from HNL to AUK, but that is quickly over. Frankly the worst part was the hours in the non-air conditioned HNL airport.

Good luck!

Sorry - ignore this post