Wanted to know who has the better business class going Los Angeles to Sydney? Using mileage so the choice is United or Air New Zealand. Also are you better off in reqular business or on the top level of the plane? Anyone have any experience?<BR><BR>Thank you.

With all of United's financial problems over the last few months, how secure/reliable are they at the present time?<BR><BR>Top level Business Class is the best....much quieter and more attentive service. Better ratio with the flight attendants.

Lane,<BR><BR>UA just discontinued flights to NZ (after 17 years); passengers already ticketed on UA flights will be accommodated on Air NZ; it's only a matter of time before they cut flights on other routes as well (like Australia), so make it easy on yourself and pick an Air NZ from the beginning!<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified Aussie Specialist

Thank you. We will try to get Air New Zealand. Using United mileage so hopefully it will work out okay. Do most people prefer the first or second level of business?

Lane<BR>I just booked 2 bix class tix from US to Sydney using miles on United for May. Have flown back and forth myself heaps on both. I always do upper deck, and prefer rows 17 or 18. Window seats in the upper deck have a ledge with storage in it that's nice. Check out seatguru.com.<BR><BR>Doubt United will exit the Sydney market before May, if at all. One thing to note about the choice between United and Air New Zealand: if you book with miles on ANZ, you must pay a fee to change dates once ticketed. If you book on United, you can change dates without fee.

Deb, how many miles did you have to have to get your business class tickets from Los Angeles to Sydney?<BR>Are you flying off-season?

It's 90K miles from anywhere in the continental US to Australia or NZ, allowing one stopover in one of the directions. If not leaving from LA or SF, the 90K still holds (ie New York, LA, Syd is 90K as well). This is true for flying Air New Zealand or United if using United miles (must book through United in any case).