Long time lurker, first time poster!

I'm starting to plan a RTW for next autumn. Right now, the itinerary is LHR/SFO/AKL/SYD/HKG/SIN/NRT/LHR, but I'm open to switching things around if y'all have any advice

In particular, SFO is only included because I had to stop in the US somewhere, I'd be happy to visit somewhere else if the flights are good. But I'm also not tied to AKL, SYD or NRT - I'd be happy to do other stops in those countries (although I do want to visit each of those countries, and I'd prefer east coast for Oz). SIN, Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia? I just want to get away!

But what I AM sure about is that I want comfortable flights. I'm happy to spring for business, but would rather not have to pay for first. I don't mind what the seats are like for flights under 2hrs, I just like to be able to lean back a bit if the flight is under 4hrs. But once it goes over that, I'm looking for a lie-flat seat at a minimum, ideally a flat bed.

So, with that in mind, what would you recommend? Which carriers should I look for, and is there anyone to avoid? Should I change the routing anywhere? Are the 777s on CX nicer than the 747s on QF (and how can I work out which version of the 777 it would be)? How can I make this trip as comfortable as possible, basically?

Thanks!

{Edit - ignore - sorry - my memory playing tricks with me}

Fortunately most of my RTWs are in F. I tried a few airlines in C in the last year or so.
I really liked the new C on SQ (340, 777, 380 - i know, not Oneworld). Air NZ was also pretty good for sleeping and had good privacy when travelling alone. I cannot sleep well in the slope style lay flat (LH, old LX, AA, QF). BA is too cramped for me. Cannot say much about the new CX (F is great).
Look also at the Star RTW or some LHR-AKL return fares (potentially with some extra side trips from HKG and/or LAX) on NZ.

LHR/SFO/AKL/SYD/HKG/SIN/NRT/LHR
Not a bad routing but might be better LAX-SYD-AKL-SYD so you can fly the A380

For J (Business) from top of my head.
LHR-SFO - BA Fully flat or AA Lie flat (stop in JFK or DFW)
SFO-AKL - QF Lie Flat (747). Would need to go LAX-SYD for the A380 Fully Flat
AKL-SYD - 737 upright (short flight)
SYD-HKG - CX fully flat herringbone, QF lie flat (747)
HKG-SIN - CX regional?
SIN-NRT - JL regional?
NRT-LHR - BA fully flat, JL lie flat

I find the QF Skybed I (lie flat) good but others feel they slide down it. The Skybed II on the A380 is meant to be even better. The BA fully flat is a good product. The CX herringbone is found by some to be narrow and cramped.

There is no SFO-AKL (only LAX-AKL or via Australia).
SYD-AKL has 737 and 767 on QF or flat beds on LA (LAN airline)

last I heard QF still had the 744 with sloped beds on AKL-LAX , so far as I know the only QF aircraft with flatbed in J are the A380 and they are not operating AKL-LAX (although I assume that at some point they will update the 744ER with flatbeds so that they can have a consistent product )

Kiwi Flyer means LA the airline on the SYD-AKL route not LA the city. Or am I misunderstanding why you quoted him?

Sorry for the confusion - the SFO/AKL is on NZ via LAX. I didn't spot a direct option, and since I'm more interested in Asia/Oceania than the US, I forgot to note the stopover when I was jotting down the itin

Thanks for all the tips though!

ooops , dont I feel silly

If you do USA for transit purposes only, why not try South America?

LHR-EZE (BA)
EZE-SCL
SCL-AKL (LA flatbed)

Much nicer trip and maybe some interesting destinations to add like Easter Island...

Where are my manners?

Welcome to Flyer Talk ShirleyGirlie


Air NZ is not in oneworld, it is in star alliance. As noted above depending on exactly where you want to go, star alliance may be a good (or better) option.

Also, again depending on where you want to go, you may not need an around the world ticket. Many fares between europe and australia/nz allow routing via asia in one direction and north america in the other direction, with en route stopovers. Having one of these tickets for the core of your trip, with some side-trips on other tickets, may work out cheaper (or may not).

There are literally hundreds of options. Perhaps you could narrow it down a bit by saying what kind of places/activities you hope to do in the stops? What do you like? What don't you like? Mountains? Beaches? Forest? Culture? History? Adventure? Relaxation? Food? Etc.

+1 ^ -good option - find LAN J class very comfortable and nice fully flat beds.
Could also do:
LHR - MAD (IB or BA)
MAD - SCL - AKL all on LA