Initially, I was hopeless in getting a F flight on rt LAX-LHR as the fares were way over $13,000 USD and there was no way my company was willing to fork that amount for my upcoming trip assignment.

But then I shopped around and found a much cheaper first fare ex-PHX. Routing turned out to be rt ONT-PHX-LHR with ONT-PHX on a separate booking with southwest. Total was less than $8,600 USD which was an enormous saving of more than $4,500 USD.

Sure I'll have 1hr less to spend in a F cabin and an inferior lounge at PHX and needing to transit as oppose to flying direct from LAX. But heck $4,500 is worth the saving and can easily get a CW ticket to Europe from the west coast for future travels. And traveling ex-PHX, there will still be plenty of time to enjoy an onboard dinner and then getting a good long sleep followed by breakfast.