I need to fly from Melbourne to San Fran in a couple of weeks, and after a lifetime of only flying Qantas internationally, I find myself needing to fly a Star Alliance airline in e

OP is flying in a few weeks.

The UA 787 won't happen until Oct14. There's a relevant article on this site:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/united-airlines-to-launch-boeing-787-9-on-melbourne-los-angeles

I like Air NZ. And you can get skycoach there :-)

Currently AirNZ use 747s and 777-200ERs on their AKL - SFO flights, neither of which offer the skycouch. Only the 777-300ERs offer this, and these aircraft are not scheduled to be used on SFO flights again unitl July.

Yea.. Inconsistency in product really disgraceful.

Hope is giveth, and then hope is taketh away. Lol. Maybe next time, though?

If you are flying alone, the skycouches are a very expensive option. Usually cheaper to fly premium economy yourself.

Regarding the inconsistency, I'd rather fly economy on the older 777-200s, as they still offer a more spacious 3-3-3 seating layout, unlike the 777-300s and their cramped 3-4-3 arrangement.