I have tried to tell my Mom that I didn't think the airlines would allow her on the upper deck. Part of the attraction for me is a little space from them (total of a month travelling with them), which they don't mind as they don't usually sit next to each other when they have the choice.

I was looking on SeatGuru, and the both the Qantas and Cathay Pacific lie-flat seats don't go horizontal.

So, the "inventive" routing I and CS rep had to come up with (it was my 9th alternative idea to get to either SYD or MEL) was HKG-BKK-SYD, doing the longer overnight leg on BA (w/ actual flat-beds on their 747--I believe the long-haul flight between LHR and SYD), and two days earlier on 9/25/07 (so only two full days in Hong Kong). Unfortunate for them, as this will be the only time they will travel that far; I figure I will be able to catch it again in the future as a freebie gateway stopover. I worried a little over the two and a quarter hour layover, if there is immigration to go through in that transfer, but the CS rep said that the system accepted that as a legal transfer (enough time). Any insight from you guys?

I called back and nabbed a continuation to Hobart--might as well get that while I can, and it will turn a tight connection later into the Sydney stopover--always a good thing in the spirit of flexability.

Thanks for the help and advice everyone!

Steve