SRB also had a "vision" of being able to fly "Round the World" solely in "Virgin" planes.

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/2010/9

Well NZ beat him to that: the first(?) and still the only airline on whose regular services you can circumnavigate the globe. Whooops, apologies, Kiwi patriotism made me forget this is QF forum...

Currently the only, but not the first. Pan Am certainly did this in the past. I think TWA may have done as well?

You can fly Pam Ann's OneWorld Alliance around the world -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Vs6...eature=related &

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JgKWguQ4P4

QF allowed this ~ 40 yrs ago with the Kangaroo route SYD-LHR and a return either via JFK or MEX.

Did QF operate all of the sectors?

Yes. I only ever went as far as MEX (with parents in charge of me...) but AFAIK the plane went on to LHR via NAS and BDA (SYD-AKL-PPT-ACA-MEX-NAS-BDA-LHR). Likewise, the SFO (or LAX?) flight went on to LHR via JFK. QF on all sectors.

QF did indeed fly 707s own-metal around the world but had no traffic rights in the US, hence the initial routing via Mexico, Bahamas and Bermuda. I think QF did fly JFK-LHR but not sure about this, however definitely did not have SFO-JFK-LHR rights if there was any SFO-JFK service sold. QF did not fly to LAX during this period. Rather interestingly QF still has JFK-LHR rights but has chosen not to use them (perhaps wisely). While CX which never had JFK-LHR rights has applied but has been turned down (with objections by AA and BA amongst others, Oneworld has so much solidarity as an alliance). Some other unexpected airlines have had RTW service, for example Thai might have when it flew to South America, and so did Malaysian (with their bizarre JNB-EZE non-stop). Surprisingly many, it isn't just the obvious candidates of PanAm and TWA and UA. But every single RTW route has been unprofitable as the traffic is unbalanced and better served via captive hubs

Thanks for the information, og and number_6!

I agree about the economics of a RTW operation. Aircraft have changed much since then, and alliances have also changed the game. I suppose that NZ is in a different position from most other airlines, in that its "RTW service" is comprised of two flights operating the same route over broadly the same flown distance, but using a different en-route stop. A bit like SYD-BKK-LHR and SYD-SIN-LHR, just with a global twist.

The 767-300ER is still available and smaller by length or max pax than the A332, interestingly a significant portion of the DJ LAME resources have 767 experience.

I think you will find that a 763ER is too much plane for a domestic travel and the only reason the 767 line is still open is for the KC and Freighters.

763ER is more than enough for Qantas, what makes you think it's too much?