Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - aussie flying to new york

I am looking at business class flights to JFK/EWR from either Brisbane or Sydney. Have looked at Singapore, Cathay, AirNZ, Qantas, Japan Air. I would prefer most direct route, but all the ones I've looked at, except for Singapore, are very high prices. Singapore is the best price, however the flight takes the FRA route, and that is quite long. AirNZ flies via lax which I want to avoid. Qantas seems the most direct route, with only a short connection in LAX, except their prices are high compared with Singapore Airlines. Sorry, I am still learning the terminology and abbreviations. Does anyone have any pointers for a newbie? Thanks :)

QF has the only direct flight via LAX to NYC from SYD. All others involve a change of flights. You could fly SQ SYD/BNE-SIN and continue on the n/s flight to EWR. NZ doesn't fly to NYC, just LAX in the U.S.

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Australia Forum.
Thanks...
Obscure2K
TravelBuzz Moderator

Not sure about pricing, but if LAX is your concern, you could always fly:

BNE/SYD-AKL-SFO on Air New Zealand, connecting to SFO-JFK/EWR on United

or

BNE/SYD-AKL-YVR on Air New Zealand, connecting to YVR-JFK/EWR on Air Canada

If you're looking to save money, you want a OW Circle Pacific fare.

Fly SYD-CX-HKG-JFK-QF-SYD.

*Much* cheaper than a simple RT in J.

Just to give you an idea (base fares without taxes and fees).

QF J RT SYD-JFK:

J2JRT QF J Round-Trip 15513.00 (USD)

QF CP SYD-SYD (via HKG and JFK):

DQFNW26 QF D Round-Trip 8667.00 (USD)

If you're looking to save money, you want a OW Circle Pacific fare.

Fly SYD-CX-HKG-JFK-QF-SYD.

*Much* cheaper than a simple RT in J.

Just to give you an idea (base fares without taxes and fees).

QF J RT SYD-JFK:

J2JRT QF J Round-Trip 15513.00 (USD)

QF CP SYD-SYD (via HKG and JFK):

DQFNW26 QF D Round-Trip 8667.00 (USD)
Stevenshev, this is great info thanks, and brilliant saving. Because I am new to flyertalk it may take time to decipher,:confused: so would you please clarify what RT in J is, and the rest? :D Much appreciated.
GB
and thanks also to DCAView for another helpful perspective.

RT = round trip
J = shorthand for business class (also commonly referred to as C on FT), as J is one of the booking classes for business class fares

Try to find an Emirates/United Round The World Business Class Fare.
OZ-DXB-JFK-LAX-OZ

Why do you want to avoid LAX? Is it just the hassle of connecting in that airport? There are some flights that connect in SFO. Alternatively, if you'd like to see a little more of North America, you could fly Sydney-Vancouver-Toronto-New York on Air Canada (and this option might be available on a Circle Pacific-type fare with Star Alliance). Vancouver definitely is worth the stopover for the scenery. Toronto is worth it for the restaurants. (In other words, Vancouver=Sydney, Toronto=Melbourne - or so I'm told.)

As mentioned, because Business travel from Australia to the US is a "premium" market in terms of available seats and choice of airlines servicing the routes, fares are also "premium" (~$15K to $17K). Using a "Circle Pacific" or "Round the World" fare product will be cheaper, and also allow more flight miles or segments (depending on the product). Try looking in the FT "Global Airline Alliances" forums....
As far as avoiding Los Angeles, even the "direct" Qantas flight requires getting off and clearing Customs and immigration in LA, but most passengers survive the experience! :D

The OP needs to clarify what they mean by "Very High Prices"

If the are looking for A$3000 for Business Class then its not going to happen.

But I understand you can fly via NRT for A$7000 with only 2 flights.

The OP needs to clarify what they mean by "Very High Prices"

If the are looking for A$3000 for Business Class then its not going to happen.

But I understand you can fly via NRT for A$7000 with only 2 flights.

Very high prices to me are around AU$15,000 -17,000. I have had many experiences at LAX, and the bother is when I have to connect at the domestic terminal there. Last time there was a queue of about 300 people at the domestic terminal and I almost missed the flight to JFK. I understand Qantas fly into LAX and connect to JFK, and you don't need to change from international to domestic, which makes it easier. However Qantas prices are very high.
Thanks to everyone for the excellent information, that is extremely helpful.:)

... I understand Qantas fly into LAX and connect to JFK, and you don't need to change from international to domestic, which makes it easier. ...You understand incorrectly (on several counts). QF107 (the only QF service SYD-LAX-JFK) arrives into T4 (AA domestic terminal) and leaves from there. Most non-SYD origin QF flights arrive into TBIT (the international terminal) and leave from there; but most of the time all QF flights use the special T4 immigration/customs facility which is just for QF and AA and not the main TBIT facility. There is a secure tunnel connecting TBIT to T4 which is used to walk pax from TBIT to T4 (not too long of a walk) when QF arrives at TBIT. The only time QF clears customs at TBIT is when the T4 area is backed up (due to flight delays).

After arrival you must clear immigration and customs at LAX (US law for first port of entry). This takes you landside -- outside of security -- at all US airports. To board the same plane, or a different plane, requires clearing security again. In your case this means queueing for security at T4 for the LAX-JFK flight (whether it is on QF or on AA). This usually takes 10 minutes but is longer at peak times (a few hours a day, usually 6-9 am and 10pm to midnight). Worst I have ever seen, with queues spilling out to the sidewalk, took 30 min -- it moves surprisingly fast these days as they are well prepared.

So if you fly QF BNE-LAX-JFK you would arrive into TBIT and walk to T4 (either airside or landside) and re-enter security at T4. There is no special security line for connecting or international pax, you join the ex-LAX line.

Connecting at HKG or NRT moves this security check from LAX (but the customs check at JFK is often slower and less pleasant than at LAX). So the net effect is about the same. I really don't see any point to avoid LAX these days, it is a pretty good airport (and much better than a few years ago).