Went to the states twice last year and both with QF as they were cheaper than United and Air NZ. First one cost me 1450 return, and the second cost 1499.
It just pays to shop around for the best fares sometimes. Sometimes one is cheaper, another time someone else is, it all just depends on many things. But the fares being quoted in the press for a return fare seems to be a bit over the top of late, or either fares have gone through the roof in the last few months.
My brother got one through Air Pacific cheaply a couple of weeks ago. He reckons it was $150 better than QF, but he had to stop also to get there.