IAD - NRT United or ANA?
 

I am flying to Tokyo from Dulles and have the option of flying on United in Economy Plus or ANA in standard economy for roughly the same price. ANA is now flying the new 777-300ER, United appears to be flying an older 777. I am sure that ANA has better service and entertainment options, but I am taller (6'1") and leg room is important to me. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

well you're exactly right - you'd have more legroom on UA but a better experience on ANA. Have you gone to seatguru.com or seatexpert.com to see what the leg room is on your ANA flight?

Looks like the legroom is 31 inches (vs. 35 on United) and the seat width is also a bit narrower. I may be able to get an exit row on the ANA flight (I can't tell if there is a surcharge for it however.) If I can get the exit row I probably will take ANA. I was actually more curious about the United flight. I can't tell what the entertainment options are like or if they have power for lap tops in the economy plus section.

seatexpert.com will tell you what is available if you put in your proposed flight number

Are mileage accrual and elite qualifying miles important to you? If so, check what you will earn on the fare you pay.

If you accrue miles to United or Continental (not sure about US Airways or others, but probably the same), most discounted economy tickets on ANA earn 70% of miles flown. If you have elite status on United (you mention that you'd be in E+, so assuming you might??), you'll earn 100 percent EQMs plus redeemable miles based on your status--125% for Premier; 200% for Premier Exec/1K.

United has power ports and AVOD in economy on the refurbished 777s, but there are only about three of those so far, and I think they're all on European routes. Entertainment on the "old" ones is small seat-back screens with about nine channels of programming that plays in a loop, and no power ports.

I don't think NH is charging extra for exit rows. I was able to grab one simply by checking-in online as early as possible, despite having no status.

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p10152269...2dd1#h32c42dd1

We flew ANA to Thailand in January in economy- service was lovely but my husband is 6 feet tall and was extremely uncomfortable the entire time. Plus, we were in the last row and couldn't recline/ Only earned 70% miles too.

I've flown that route on both carriers in economy and would choose E+ over an ordinary economy seat (am 6'3"). But both flights were several years ago and the ANA plane/seats were definitely not new.

The exit row idea on ANA is an interesting one, if you are long and not wide. Do the seats recline?

Full recline on the exit row. Seat width are the same. Both carriers are 9-across on the 777.