Melbourne to New York: business class or premium economy?

Melbourne to NYC Business Class or Premium. Which flights/Airlines/Route?

Hi I am booking flights soon for a trip to the USA and have been carefully considering my options. After flying Business Class to Europe earlier this year I am certain about one thing: I will never fly Economy Again!

HAHA.

So which is the best options from Melbourne to NYC for Premium or Business?

Obviously it comes down to budget for me personally I would not fly ultra long hall in premium economy. As for the best option well depends which FF program are you with? Do you have or want high teir status? If you have done biz to europe and now biz to NYC that would certianly get you above your FF programs entry teir. Worth considering...

Jay, you have been carefully considering, however here's some common routes that i'd recommend if i had to fly that route in Premium or Business. Based on one-stop options, and conveniently timed connections.

QF11 MEL-LAX then transfer to QF107 LAX-JFK (best option IMHO)

Cathay Pacific MEL-HKG-JFK

FYI, China Eastern via Shanghai, Qatar via Doha, Emirates / Etihad via UAE, are also options but longer duration.

*make that QF93 MEL-LAX

I dont have any affiliations with any Frequent Flyer Programs/Card's etc other than the amazing points I acrewed with Oman Air when my family and I flew with the from Asia to Europe. I believe I can use those points towards Etihad.

It's a bit of conundrum in a sense. From my research there are routes that are more direct/shorter duration but tend to cost more. Then I have also found unconventional routes, that provide a better class, better airline, but usually increase the flying time by at least 5 to 10 hours. 

So there is alot to weigh up. I have flown Premium Economy before as well as Business Class. After having flown both,  I would sooner choose a Business Class flight with a 25-30 hour duration than a Premium Economy Class flight that was 10hours faster.

For me food and service are important but the big selling point for me is being able to stretch my legs out.

I neeeed space lol.

Funniest thing ever was that I flew Melbourne to Milan Business class all the way and it was heaven. Then while still in Europe working I flew Milan to India Business. I had initially planned to go back to the UK to work after my trip in India, but for personal reasons I decided to return to Australia. From India I could have flown back the 13hours Business Class with I think Emirates for around $1500, or even Etihad ( I think ) for similar, but decided to save some money and fly back with Singapore Airlines in Economy as it was only $500!!

Plus, my best friend who has literally flown across the entire world free with work told me Singapore Airlines and Etihad Economy is so impressive and spacious that it's almost as good as Premium Economy.

Taking his advice as gospel I booked Sing Economy and by god it was the worst experience of my life lol.

Up until then I had only flown to Perth in Economy ( that was bad enough ). I can honestly say that it was not anywhere near Premium Economy level and perhaps having flown just flown Business Class prior I was a little spoilt!

I want to know what planet he is on? No Economy on any airline is anywhere near Premium Economy. In fact its a million times worse than even Jetstars Business Class which I thought was great value for $500 ( Melbourne to Bangkok ). I'd liken Jetstars Business to being more Premium. Though maybe without the finer dining. HAHA

Nope, can't do Economy ever again.

Unless it's within regional Australia or even NZ. But anything about 4-5hours and I am more grumpy and restless than a child.

above 4-5hours*

Oh and here's another slightly unconventional option that seems to get me there in a bit more comfort for alot less than say flying Qantas business all the way from here to USA.

Melb to Honolulu Business Class with Jetstar ( ok so it's not full business but its better than economy )
and then Honolulu to USA with Delta or United in Business Class for a very decent price.

BUT, I have heard Business Class on those Airlines is not great.

Still its about $2000-$3000 cheaper than AIR NZ,QANTAS of Virgin, albeit not being the one uniform class all the way 

I very often fly SYD - LAX - JFK / SAN with Delta in Business and I must say that they are fantastic. You would need to fly via SYD but worth the trip up. Their Sky Clubs in the US are good not amazing as QANTAS but at least your feed and watered well ;-)