Definately not the 'best' option. But perhaps the most 'interesting' option could be Air Tahiti Nui via AKL, PPT and LAX. Would add 10 hours or so compared to Asia, but if you have time an overnight stop in Tahiti would be great. You can choose to do the AKL-PPT sector on either the TN a343 or th...

I find that booking your own combination fare through a poorer Asian city (like Manila or Jakarta) yields the best results. For instance, In April I found a SYD-MNL-HKG-LHR return all in business class on a combo of Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic for $5,800AUD. ...

The best value is QF via New Zealand believe it or not. Qantas CHC-SYD-SIN-LHR is $9,400 AUD return, which unbelieveably is circa 2-3000 cheaper than ex SYD despite the additional connecting trans tasman J flights. note that the CHC-SYD-CHC (or AKL/WLG) legs are in J class. To take up t...

Emirates simply doesn't need or want Qantas. Qantas's growing division/profit area is Jetstar which couldn't me more incompatible with EK's full service wide body business model

I see no reason why 3 x weekly should in itself make a route unviable. Sure, it may not make as much as if daily, but it's not hardly going to force longer crew layovers etc. Mon, we'd, fri, 2 night layovers, surely that's about standard? And isnt the a380 perfect for capacity constrained routes?