I've flown VH-OJU from SYD to LAX and another 747 Longhaul from LAX to SYD (don't know tail number, it was dark). I was in 2A on both flights. I have flown first class on other airlines and without a doubt, the Quantas experience was my best experience flying in my life. (I am Gold P on US). The service was similar to the finest places to eat. The food and wine were outstanding. The seats were amazing. There is nothing like lying down to sleep with bedding, a pillow, blankets, airline pajamas and silence at 35,000 feet over the moonlit pacific. My only complaints were the crew did not make information available about the excellent movie library system or the all-night snack bar. I've never flown long haul first so I felt sort of like I didn't belong and didn't want to ask too many questions. I have First Class booked LAX to AKL on Air NZ in March so I am going to be more "aggressive" in exploiting all of the available services. But QF has an excellent movie library with tapes that you check off your requests at take off and the steward delievers one after another. I only learned this on our return SYD-LAX leg so I was disapointed I watched Antwone Fisher twice on the "stock" in flight system. Also, there isn't too much encouragement to use the always available soup and snack bar. If I knew how here, and could, I would try to post a photo I took of the cabin and my seats.

Last anecdote: the guy next to me shelled out full fare for the tix and he was telling the steward how me made this leg all the time and will routinely spend $4000 more to be in Quantas First over Air NZ or United because of the superior service. I would never do that (I use miles) but obviously somebody was willing to do so. Now I'm just wondering what Star Alliance/Air NZ is going to do with my paper booked tickets in March originating with USAirways.