I'll be embarking on a 3-month RTW trip (AONE5 - skipping S Amer) around the beginning of January from NY, heading westbound (would rather be in Europe in March/April than in January...)

Does anyone have any advice/recommendations as to whether I should do (1) ANZ - Asia - Africa - Europe, or (2) Asia - ANZ - Africa - Europe?

The way I see it, option 1 would have me flying QF F from JFK to SYD (744), and then I would get to experience CX F from HKG to JNB (744). With option 2 I could do JFK-HKG in CX F (A340) and SYD-JNB in QF F on the (744).

Is either of these options better?

Any other considerations, e.g., weather, special events, etc. I'm planning about 2 weeks in ANZ and 3 weeks in Asia (Japan, HKG, Thailand, SIN).

Thanks!