ILS27L et al.
All this talk of wx avoidance and turning back etc. is all very 'armchair'.
Having flown through that region on many nights, sometimes you have to thread your way through the best (but no means nice) way possible using radar and eyes to guide you.
Turning around wasn't an option for me for 2 reasons: 1) past LPD to an island destination and 2) you'd be flying back through precisely the weather you were trying to avoid in the first place!!
Not been on AF447, I can't comment too much on their options, however stooging through the ITCZ isn't enjoyable, less so if you're facing failures many hours from a safe haven. Turning around may not have been an option.
I suggest we all await the official reports before spouting any more waffle.