Prices for a Sydney – Los Angeles return are AUD 1,159 all in; Melbourne – Los Angeles is cheaper at AUD 1,119 via a Virgin Blue domestic service to Sydney. Travel is for 1 Mar 09 to 31 may 09, book by 12 Jan 09.

Note V Australia did have to postpone its launch from last year after a strike at Boeing – hopefully the service will get up and running bringing some much needed competition to the route.

The other major carriers are almost matching V Australia’s fares.

Star Alliance’s Air New Zealand are offering SYD to LAX via Auckland from AUD 1,147 – and with decent 34″ seat pitch in economy this also looks a good deal. Fellow Star carrier United has flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Los Angeles for just over AUD 1,200 – but the lowest fares seem to connect through San Francisco.

Qantas currently has Sydney – Los Angeles available for AUD 1,211, with Melbourne – LAX for AUS 1,145. Travel 01 Mar 09 to 31 May 09. This could be of use to Qantas Frequent Flyers who need a Status Credit run. And you can choose to fly on the Airbus A380.

Air France will begin a service from London Heathrow to LAX from April. You can pick up a return ticket for £1,800 in business class (£320 in economy) for travel during April. We also found an Expedia Special Fare with Air France of £1,650.

A few other airlines are pitching their business class products at this £1,800 level. You can presently find deals with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and Air New Zealand. BA and Virgin have sales bookable until March 4th to a variety of destinations.

Special offer introductory prices are £349 plus tax each way ex-UK and $699 plus tax each way ex-US. This amounts to £773 and $1548 all-in for a return journey – pretty good value.