When I look on the Qantas site, it shows the 787-900 at MTOW of 254,000kgs, max fuel at 123,656L with a range of 9,008nm and 236 pax. When you look on the Boeing site, it shows the 787-900 at the max TOW of 254,000kgs with a range of 7,635nm with seating of 290 for the "typical" aircraft.
So, I wonder if the Qantas 787-900 while having a possible 254,000kgs MTOW, actually restricts cargo, has 'only' 236 pax + crew, tops up the tanks in Perth, and this way achieving the longer range?
And I agree for these long haul routes, the front end is the place to be. In Y when the seat in front gets reclined into 'your space', it gets a tad squeezy.