straitman said:
I believe that the current "extended" ETOPS for the B777 is 207 minutes which for the DFW trip leaves AKL (7440 NM) and possibly MEL (8992 NM) as unsuitable. SYD (8518 NM) is borderline, however BNE (8303 NM) works just fine. (207 min is calculated by using 180 min plus 15% and is used primarily as an exception for 180-minute routes when key alternate airports are unavailable due to weather.)
ETOPS 180 requirements between SYD and DFW require only a slight diviation north of the great circle route, and most westerly trans-Pacific flights take a northerly track at that point of the trip due to prevailing winds anyway, so it should not be an issue.
UA operated 777's SFO/LAX-AKL for quite some time, which the GC route would just touch on the ETOPS180 shadow area as well.
Of course, ETOPS certification requires the operator to be certified as well as the aircraft, so being a new type for QF will mean they take some time after entry to earn the specific ETOPS rating (will not be difficult for QF who already have it for other aircraft types).
Its interesting that the airport at Midway Island (MDY) is mostly funded by Boeing to keep it operational as an alternate for trans-Pacific services.
Also note that SYD-EZE and SYD-SCL are shorter flights than SYD-LAX, but are cannot be done via great circle routes via any ETOPS rating - they will remain the domain of the A340 and 747. I assume this will be a major point being made by Airbus in their proposal to Qantas.