For me it depends on the savings and the other advantages. We're flying AKL to Orlando at Christmas this year. Choices are basically Air NZ to US West Coast and then United to Orlando - or Qantas via Oz and connecting through Dallas with AA on to Orlando.
So extra time for Qantas as have to fly 3 hours in wrong way, only to double back on yourself again, and additional connection in Dallas. Advantages though in that you don't have a very long flight with a US based operator and US levels of "service". Also savings of $4,000 for the family of 4. So we are going Qantas.