Wonder if the planes leased to VA from Qatar will be re-painted with the VA livery? 

I've been looking at Air NZ flights from AKL to Houston. What is the business class configuration below? I mistakenly assumed it was their new layout.  Actually, just found my answer: Air New Zealand Leasing Cathay Pacific 777 (With First Class) - One Mile at a Time

Yes! The MAX8 range is 6,500KM. CNS — HND is 5,900KM. Other carriers are flying the MAX8 on longer routes e.g., Brasilia to Orlando — 6,079KM. I would also love to see PER — AKL direct (5,350KM). I don’t know about the economics — but it...

With a range of 6,000 KM, the MAX 10 can flight direct from Perth to Auckland (5,300 KM). Hoping Virgin Australia will make this route happen.  If Virgin Australia configure the MAX 10 with a business class like Jet Blues' (as Hrdlicka has indicated), I'd be very happy. 

I agree: great roaming is the key. Vodafone offers roaming for $5 a day using your mobile plan.  This is super convenient if you're country hoping.  I suspect Vodafone can offer this because they're a global company.