I am starting to wonder if the pricing issue to SoPac destinations is due to QF reducing capacity on US routes post 9/11 (and post Ansett crash) to put 744's on domestic australian services, thus demand goes higher on pacific routes and the price thus goes up. With Air NZ on the verge of colapse too, that really only leaves UA and QF to duke it out, and UA won't be adding capacity anytime soon (even if the bilateral allowed it, which I don't think it does).

I could be wrong though.

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.