Qantas have said that they are tossing up between an A350 variant and a B777X variant for their proposed ULR routes, not a B787 variant.

From the City, you're better off getting the H&C line to Paddington, then the HEx from there (at least until Crossrail goes from Liverpool St). If you have to start on the Central Line, I'd suggest changing to the Bakerloo at Oxford Circus for Paddington.

Any word on whether the VA flights will codeshare with VS or DL?

The Qantas 'classic' 747 lower-lobe galley was midships, not under first class (in the nose). Far from being unpopular with crew, it was a coveted position as one didn't have to have contact with the great unwashed masses. RIP the poor World Airways DC-10 F/A killed when an elevator malfunctioned...

Don't forget your own back yard. I've been lucky enough to fly into many of those mentioned in the article and the comments, but few will go near arriving over Sydney at dawn on a clear morning, like recently being vectored towards 16R (so saw all the northern beaches) before sent around to land ...