From Melbourne to San Francisco, what are the airline options available,I not loyal to any airline, I just want the best Business Class experience.

From Melbourne to San Francisco, what are the airline options available,I not loyal to any airline, I just want the best Business Class experience.

I quite like Air NZ to San Fran. The fares are comparable and the service is always lovely. The transit is much of a muchness but better than Sydney. Their 777 business is also very good and always nice food and wines.

So I could use AirNZ lounge at Melbourne and again in Auckland, and on return probably a reciprocal lounge in SF and AirNZ lounge back in Auckland. Thats sounds relaxing. Is it 777 all the way, not stopping in LAX.  How many classes do they offer.

Yes you'd be on a 777-300er on all legs, stopping only in Auckland with about 2 hours transit. You can use the Air NZ lounges in Melb and Auckland and the Singapore Airlines lounge in SF. I believe the planes have business premier, then premium, as well as economy and skycouch. 

I'd second AirNZ - a transit in AKL is much better than a transit in SYD.

The ABSOLUTE best Business Class experience would probably be Cathay Pacific via HKG but that will add many hours to your journey.

You have 4 one stop options.

Qantas - MEL-SYD, SYD-SFO

Qantas - MEL-LAX, American LAX-SFO

Air NZ - MEL-AKL, AKL-SFO

United - MEL-LAX, LAX-SFO

Not transitting at LAX is always a good option as is avoiding United. That leaves you with Air NZ or Qantas. Probably much of a muchness between them and will ultimately depend on price, schedule and whehter you'd prefer to credit your points to OneWorld or Star Alliance.

Could also throw in Cathay!

Does the Singapore Airlines SF lounge and AirNZ AKL lounge  have showers? I agree transit better in AKL than SYD, pleased it goes to SF rather than LAX, that place is a shocker.

No, the Singapore lounge in SF doesn't have showers (at least I didn't see any).

Indeed, the SQ lounge in SFO is rather crummy and FAR beneath what one would expect from SQ.

Air NZ, especially when their fares are on sale, is probably the easiest option since you avoid SYD and LAX, transit through a very painless airport, get to enjoy NZ's hub and flagship international lounge, and get a fully flat bed with direct aisle access.

The only downside to Air NZ is that whilst their food is good, it is a little below QF's (at least from what I can recall) and VA's. It is still nice and far better than United's however. Their amenity kits aren't as good either (whether or not this matters is, of course, another issue) and they don't have pajamas.

I guess you could always go NZ and pack your PJs into your carry on?