Singapore Airlines is great, but Cathay Pacific has a newer aircraft running between Asia and the West Coast. The new plane features bucket seats in economy that swing out from a stiff non-moving shell, so the passenger is not leaning back into another passenger's lap. Entertainment was so complicated I never did master what all the console had.

Singapore Airlines first.

Cathay Pacific next.

Sorry, I meant the *price* for deluxe was on par with the price of other's economy. In other words, you get near business class service for the price of economy.

Haha - ok good thanks for clearing that up Michael, I was wondering!

I am leaning towards EVA b/c they're a Continental partner so I'll earn miles. Also b/c the deluxe economy is so affordable.

I just learned that 747s are bigger than 777s which makes me lean towards flying an airline that will use a 747. But I also understand that 747s are older, so they tend to not have as updated AVOD etc. Is that generally true?

Continental and EVA recently changed their FF agreement. Now, only the most expensive fares on EVA get any CO miles.

ttp://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/marketing/custcomm/promotions/Pages/AirlinePartnerDetails.aspx?ItemId=71

Hi rkkwan, thanks for your link. That's so disappointing! And it just went into effect a month ago...

I really appreciate you pointing that out to me, that was the major determining factor for me flying with EVA. Even their premium economy class doesn't qualify me for miles! Unbelievable.

Thanks especially for making me check the latest mileage rules...I won't make that mistake again!

Now, back to square one...

You want the best service, AVOD, free booze, great food, AND the lowest/cheapest price? In economy class.

You certainly will not be happy on a United 747, because the only one of your five requirements that might be met would be the lowest price.

Haha - you forgot mileage qualification on my OnePass account. But let's not misunderstand each other - I certainly never said I expect "great" food on an airplane. Unless it's leftover fried oysters with Tabasco from my hometown of course :)

Decent meals, AVOD, and free booze are par for the course on non-U.S. airlines so I don't think it's too much to ask. (And yet, U.S. airlines are the most expensive!) So I have ruled out flying a U.S. airline at this point. Which makes mileage qualification and price the determinative factor now.

I'd also like to say, it's not like the $5 extra to buy a drink on a U.S. airline is that big of a deal - I usually only have one of those mini bottles of wine anyway. It's more just the idea of quality you are getting. Getting a menu to choose your meal beforehand, being served wine with the meal, eating with silverware...these are all insignificant little nothings that go a long way towards helping me forget I am on a long flight!

AVOD on the other hand is definitely not insignificant (what can I say, I'm Generation Y). Being able to stop and start movies etc. makes the time absolutely fly. So that is crucial for me on long-hauls, and I'm not getting stuck in a situation like I was on Continental last fall when flying from Europe (bored out of my mind).