Perhaps I might be of some help. I returned from a OW F award last month. I flew LA800 to AKL and returned on QF40 (in J). This was my first time on LA.

I had no difficulty getting the LA segment (even when QF J segments were unavailable SYD-AKL), and F award space was also available on the surrounding dates that LA800 operated. It was a very last minute award, though, booked only about a week before the flights. (I was very very lucky to also get QF F SYD-LAX!). So, I think if you can get Y seats confirmed now you should have a very good chance of seeing J or F award inventory open up much closer to the flight date. J was also pretty empty (probably only around 30% full) on the SYD-AKL segment.

As far as LA's service and seat is concerned... The LA flight attendants were superb (only 2 pax in the F cabin) - incredibly warm and very gracious. The seat reminded me very much of AA's 767-200 F seat, but with longer armrests and AVOD. My only complaint was the meal service. As PresRDC reports, it's a very small (though elegant enough) made-to-order sandwich with the following bread choices (white, multi-grain, or croissant), filling choices (chicken, ham, mozzarella cheese), vegetable choices (tomato, lettuce, avocado) and dressing choices (mustard, mayonnaise, butter). Not really all that filling - but post passengers are continuing on to SCL and will have a much larger meal several hours later. The wine list, though was stellar with 1995 Taittinger Comtes De Champagne and some amazing Chilean wines.

-FlyerBeek