Just about the carseats in coach...in coach, rear-facing seats are allowed. http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx
has tons of links, including the one to the FAA's current recommendation, which is that children under 20 pounds ride in a rear-facing child restraint on the plane. It may sound confusing, because they also state that a child restraint must be installed only in forward facing seats...,meaning the restraint can't be used on airplane seats that face the rear of the aircraft like some Southwest planes have.

We just flew to Beijing and back with a 15 month old, United was nice but not one single empty seat period, the carseat was of no use at all. We were fortunate to get Business Class upgrades on one heavenly segment from Beijing to Naritta after getting bumped, but business class is not an option for most family travellers.
We saw a number of Chinese baby adpotess going home, part of the reason for so few seats outbound :)
The 13 hour leg going in was tough, although the trip was great and worth it.
How old will your baby be? It was much easier when he was a placid baby, the active toddler stage is more difficult.
Here's using the spacious restroom on board http://www.thebowles.com/beijing/PICT0044.jpg
My advice, besides all the usual anti jet lag and stretching advice, etc.
1. If there's any way you can afford, beg or bribe your way into a dedicated seat for the baby and/or a better class such as economy plus with 5 precious extra inches or Business Class, do it.
2. Get a bulkhead row if possible, extra space for the seat, diaper bag, etc.
3. Have extra hands available, make friends if you can to walk the baby and assist.
4. I saw some talk on the forum about United stewardesses being older and unhelpful on this route, I just want to say that I found them to be some of the most helpful and hardworking stews I can recall. They worked very hard continuously filling drinks and attending to a completely full, stressful flight every leg. They tolerated many people standing in aisles, in the galley etc just because they had to have someplace to go.
I don't know United's financial situation but with all the completely full flights and superior stewardesses we saw it must be getting better.
Wally

I have been busy putting our China dossier together so I just checked back on all these reponses from a month or so ago. Thank you so much for everyone's advice. My husband is set on flying business class so we are trying to put aside the extra money. Wish I knew where in China we will be flying to but I won't have that info for about 8 months. Seems like Hong Kong makes for a much longer trip. Any tips on getting the cheapest airfare possible?

Fly on an asian airline- they will give you a lot of attention- some have bassonets. If you fly on an American airline- good luck- the service you get will be crappy at best. I have flown both and now swear by the Asian airlines.

Lisa and Dave, you may have already booked your ticket but if you haven't check out EVA air, they have a deluxe class which provies 6" more leg room space without the price of 1st class tickets. www.evaair.com

Just wait until you know when and where you're going, and then ask again for airfare at that time. You should get the best fares around 3-4 months out.

While EVA has the deluxe class, it's not a convenient way to travel from the US East Coast to China, especially with an infant. It means a one-stop service from Newark to Taipei, and then another connection in Hong Kong or Macau. You're talking about 4 flights minimum, versus a possible non-stop from JFK to Beijing.

Congratulations on your new baby!

I have a question: we are also flying first time Transpacific.

We are flying China Airlines (not China Air to avoid confusion). Does anybody has feedback on this airline? We are flying business class.

thanks

You don't need Business Class..a lot of added expense..if you buy a Coach ticket, just get two aisle seats across from each other, then you both can easily get up and walk around. Take a lot of reading material with you. I'm used to these long flights and read a lot. I also take along all my travel books,maps, and materials, in my carry-on bag, and do the final mapping out of the trip on the plane since there is so much time to do it in. And no alcohol... it will really mess up your system as far as the jetlag goes. Take along those FOAM earplugs that you can buy at any drugstore and also one of those dark blindfolds. Happy travels!

Do fly business class. As you said, you are already paying big money for the adoption, etc. With your husband being very tall he will really feel more comfortable in a business/first class seat. Also, it's easier to get an upgrade when you have paid for a business class seat. (vs. flying business on miles) Wait until you know where you will be going before you book. (my guess is it will be somewhere in the south like Guangdong Province) So, given that visas for your new child (congratulations by the way) will be issued in Guangzhou, flying thru Hong Kong on Cathay wouldn't be that bad a choice.

For Emtravel: Check the safety records for China Airlines (Taiwan) vs. Air China (Beijing) - China Airlines has one of the worst in history while Air China has one of the best. Good luck.

That's the bad news. We already got tickets on China airlines and cannot return them. I did look at some articles and the aircrafts they are using now are Airbus 340-300 to TPE and from there 747-400. So I hope their upgraded fleet is safer. Not much I can do now.

Regardinjg flying EVA from the east coast, what if we flew from Los Angeles? I have an Uncle who lives there. I will check their web site, too.

Thanks for all the tips and good wishes everyone!

EVA is a Taiwanese airline, and all their N. American flights go through Taipei. Currently, there's no direct commercial air service between Taiwan and Mainland, and most people change planes again in Hong Kong or Macau. A few go through Korea or Okinawa, etc...

Therefore, even from LA, you're talking about 3 flights to China (not including Hong Kong or Macau), and 4 flights from the East Coast.