Thanks - to be clear, I'm aware of the options of who flies from SYD to the US. This a prioritization and optimization problem.

From what I see, a return business class ticket will run 10k or more. The funding is for one-way, not return.

Unclear whether ticketing that is one-way J and return in E would actually be cheaper.

QF will be both the most expensive and LAX and DFW are both long flights. They are also off status for me, though that is minor issue.

UA also flies to LAX.

VA seems to be the cheapest direct to LAX.

LAX is, unfortunately, a horrible airport to land in at 6am and do the border with a pregnant exhausted wife.

SYD-HNL on Hawaiian and then HNL to IAD on UA (domestic F) may be the best bet, but it is two tickets.