SYD-LAX Is this the biggest cost difference by class ever.

[NM]

I would expect that most people would have a similar view to me if asked to fly an extra 8500 miles to save a company a tax deductible $3500 if it was a business trip .

But if the budget will not stretch to the r/t fare, leaving a choice of r/t in economy class or ATW in business class, I know choice I would (and have) take. And making it into an ATW trip can help to maximise the business benefits by visiting other offices, colleagues, customer, vendors etc in multiple locations, helping to justify the journey and the business class airfare expense. All depends on the policy, business requirements and justifications. May work for some people, not for others.