Marc.
Ken and I have flown this route many times, usually on Qantas. It’s a direct flight. They have a very good product but you pay for it. Since you need to return from NZ to LAX I would suggest Air NZ. I presume AirNZ has a direct flight from AKL to LAX. Hopefully Ralph will read this as he is an expert on this route. AirNZ prices seem to be very competitive.
I don’t like Fiji Air, and you’d have to go via Nadi I think.
I can’t help you with Delta/Virgin, have never flown them.
