I'm also surprised that they don't offer more JNB options through FRA with LH, especially as they share revenue on the Canada-Germany portions. The layover in FRA is a whopper though - 12 hours or so.

Surprising, considering it is one of the most heavily-served city pairs in the world. I've always found quite reasonable fares between the two, and oodles of options (well over 100+ flights per day I believe).
May I suggest you take a second glance at Melbourne while you're there? It's truly world-class in terms of culture, sport, food, etc. There's something for everybody in that town. Otherwise, may I trade you places?

As mentioned, there are heaps of players on this route, and don't forget Star partner UA serves SYD-MEL as a continuation of their LAX route. I suspect, like UA, that AC would not be able to sell tickets on the domestic portion of their Australian Run (on a 77L or white boomer).
Aircraft utilization demands may prevent that option as well - I don't know.

Frustratingly, there are members here who know if YVR-MEL is a profitable or even desirable option, but for obvious reasons may not be able to share their knowledge. Meanwhile, fingers crossed for another Oz nonstop when the new planes arrive.

Interesting that the two longest routes are A34/5 aircraft, eventhough the 772 has a longer range. I would have thought the 777 is a superior aircraft for fuel efficency and cargo capacity and would be better suited to this route. I thought SQ had some 200's in the fleet, perhaps they are the older variety.

They have almost 80 777s, but none of the 200LR (long range) version.

well....excUUUUse me ;)

That would add about $100 (fees and taxes for using HNL and "entering" USA) to the ticket and extra 2-3 hours transit time. For some reason, no pre-clearance at YVR. At HNL everybody must leave the plane and "enter" USA. Then immediately go upstairs to "depart" USA. Stupid.

I personally hated it when AC was flying YVR-HNL-SYD.

Connecting international to domestic or vice versa at SYD is not easy. The terminals are far apart and you have to take a train or bus over. And it is not free. QF provided their own free bus for QF customers only.

I think DJ now gives free bus vouchers.

UA SYD-MEL is the extension of SFO-SYD. It consolidates the pax from LAX-SYD. UA pax can ride MEL-SYD and get off at SYD.

UA FAs really like to fly SYD-MEL-SYD. Other than it is a short one hour flight one way, but the plane B744 is usually only half full.

QF have done delivery flight(s) LHR-SYD non stop in their 744s. IIRC, the aircraft was stripped of extraneous bulk and only just made it.

I think it wasn't great for anyone, but would you put up with it if it meant AC service to MEL?

I figure it probably a wash between a flight pre-clearing at YVR and stopping in HNL or doing the non-stop to SYD and then doing the terminal shuffle. SYD international arrivals is also pretty bad.

YVR-LAX-SYD-MEL might not work due to UA doing LAX-SYD-MEL already.

If YVR-MEL can't be had, I'll take YVR-BNE-MEL...because I'd do a stopover there. I'll pass on SYD actually.

FK no, going through HNL on AC was painful; even more so if your not American or Canadian.

Agree with getaround, there are far too many passengers, whether or not they need US visas, that find the Honolulu process too much of a hassle in all respects. I would personally seek other options to get to MEL.

Lets think of something outside of the box! ;)

How about YYZ/YVR > NRT > MEL? maybe x3-5 weekly?
AC could dominate because MEL currently has no direct flights to NRT, which there is a demand for. They can also pick up other fellow *A members on the way.

The flighty you're thinking of was HKG->LHR, the wrong way around, ie they flew eastward rather than westward.