With United Airlines having recently switched to an all B787-9 service to Australia (LAX/SFO-SYD and LAX-MEL which already was 787-9) what has been traveller's experiences on these

With United Airlines having recently switched to an all B787-9 service to Australia (LAX/SFO-SYD and LAX-MEL which already was 787-9) what has been traveller's experiences on these changed services? Am planning a return to SYD for November and debating flying UA again vs a return on QF.

Are you planning to fly Business or Coach? Is there a budget? Are you alliance agnostic?

I have tried the 787 once, when flying SYD - MEL.  It was a JQ flight in Y.

I feel that its better than the (a bit) older 380s, and the old grand mothers of planes, ie, the 747s.

Granted that my flight wasn't long haul, I liked it, esp the larger windows.

But also, the fact that its suitable for tinting or darkening the windows without the need of shading.

Modern composite materials also make flying the 787 better.  Not so dry they say.

You could use Air NZ if you want to earn with VA, and have a stop over in NZ for those few hours, or a day and a bit.

I would fly the 787s if Air NZ flew them regularly Au to NZ, but they don't, its all or majority the 777s.

Air NZ fly the 787 in and out of Sydney daily ( at least they did when I last flew the route a few months ago) 

But if SYD isn't your local thats not helpful. 

As for the question, it depends on whether you're flying Business or economy. I'd definitely go QF if it were economy, however business I'd be looking at flying either Virgin or American as they have direct aisle access seats (well VA will by then) 

My partner and I have flown Delta and Virgin, and she has flown United before without me, to and from the states in the past 2 years out of Sydney. I asked her for her opinion on what she thought was the better of the three, (remember this is her opinion and what she believes from her experience.), keeping in mind all were in Economy:

1. Delta- "By far, I thought the crew, food and entertainment were very good, and the seats were comfortable"

2. United (777 not 787)- "Seat was very comfortable and never went hungry"

3. Virgin Aus.- "Seat was painful in the lower back areas, cabin was very hot and meal portions were smaller than the other two."

I felt likewise, minus UA as I haven't experienced them, and felt the smaller Delta 777 -200lr more comfortable than the larger 777-300er of VA, as both were packed but VA just felt too crowded with too many people, so perhaps keep that in mind if you were to take the QF a380 over the UA 787. Just my 2cents. :) Goodluck!

My partner and I have flown Delta and Virgin, and she has flown United before without me, to and from the states in the past 2 years out of Sydney. I asked her for her opinion on what she thought was the better of the three, (remember this is her opinion and what she believes from her experience.), keeping in mind all were in Economy:

1. Delta- "By far, I thought the crew, food and entertainment were very good, and the seats were comfortable"

2. United (777 not 787)- "Seat was very comfortable and never went hungry"

3. Virgin Aus.- "Seat was painful in the lower back areas, cabin was very hot and meal portions were smaller than the other two."

I felt likewise, minus UA as I haven't experienced them, and felt the smaller Delta 777 -200lr more comfortable than the larger 777-300er of VA, as both were packed but VA just felt too crowded with too many people, so perhaps keep that in mind if you were to take the QF a380 over the UA 787. Just my 2cents. :) Goodluck!

If you're looking at business class, AusBT reviewed Melbourne-LA last year: Review: United Boeing 787 'BusinessFirst' business class: Melbourne-Los Angeles

Thank you for all the great suggestions.