Just wondering what everyone's experience has been with the various airlines for travel to Asia. I'm going to Jakarta (via someplace else, I'm sure) and it looks like quite a few choices of airlines and many of the fares are quite similar. Any comments and/or suggestions? (going coach)

It depends where you are flying from as the airlines operating the route will differ whether from N.America, Europ, Australia/NZ, Africa etc.

Oooops! Very true - good point. Coming from the US.

The "best" coach seats are those that have extra space. United has an "Economy Plus" section that has something like an extra 6" of leg room. However, you can only get seated in that area if you are a very frequent flier (Premier or Premier Exec). However, I have heard that they are opeing the section up to those paying extra this year - sorry, don't know the details.

Several other airlines have permium economy sections, Thai and Eva, but you pay more.

Otherwise, my take is that coach seats are coach seats. The differences will be in what kind of entertainment is available (some airlines have individual screens in coach, some do not), food (pretty bad in coach generally), and service. How much each of those matters depends on you.

I've flown United, Japan Airlines, ANA, Korean, China, and Thai Air in the last few years.

My preferences; from best to worst:
Thai- nice planes and entertainment
ANA- great food and usually nice planes
JAL- usually good service & seats
United- efficient and possible upgrades
China- decent service, food and planes. Looong layovers Taipei though
Korean- once was enough

Your best option is Singapore Airlines for the following reasons:

- Flights to your destination: can fly nonstop from either Newark or LA to Singapore and then nonstop to Jakarta on either Singapore Air or their partner Silk Air.

- Seat comfort: executive economy is available on their nonstops from Newark and LA with more leg room and more seat pitch. Business seats are lay flat. 1st is, well, out of my league but I can dream.

- Service: tops according to all of the international rankings. The "singapore girls" are outstanding and know you by name even when you are out of your seat.

- Food: tops according to all of the international rankings with international and asian options.

- Entertainment: hundreds of movies, documentaries, tv shows, Nintendo games ON DEMAND with your own personal monitor.

Whatever you do, don't fly an American airline to Asia. My husband and I are are United 1ks but the Asian airlines consistently blow them away for comfort and service.