I should think it might be best to discuss it with someone like Trailfinders who could offer advice as well as find you the best price.

If you were willing to consider flying to San Diego instead, Zoom are flying there now and I suspect their premium cabin would be cheaper than a normal business class.

If you can't find a reasonable price for business class seats you might want to try Premium Economy, bigger seats and more legroom. Both BA and Virgin Atlantic offer this service.

If you dont mind going via Amsterdam KLM are usually cheap as chips and a darn sight better service than the US carriers and budget carriers.

Thanks for all those tips. will investigate all the options

Another option if your in the North is Thomas Cooks twice weekly flight to Las Vegas. They offer a premium cabin similar to Zoom. Fares quite good and Las Vegas is only about 4 -5 hour drive from Los Angeles, or you could get a short flight with the likes of Jetblue or Virgin America

A similar option to the last one is bmi's flight to Vegas. Their premium economy section has their "old" longhaul business class seats and a class leading 49 inch seat pitch.