Try Air Canada for Reasonably-Priced Flights to Beijing

It's pretty expensive to fly from the United States to Beijing or Shanghai, and as the Olympics approaches prices for all travel services are going through the roof.

Happily, I was able to find a round-trip ticket from Beijing to Newark for $830 including all fees & taxes, and a friend recently found round-trip tickets from Beijing to Portland for under $700.

So, if you're coming my way for a visit (hint, hint), you might want to give Air Canada a try: http://www.aircanada.com/en/us/home.html.

I have not heard fantastic things about Air Canada's service, but they do have individual in-seat audio-video units on all Economy seats on the 77W aircraft that fly from Toronto to Beijing. Also, since I am usually forced to fly United trans-pacific for work, I am sure it will be an improvement. After observing United flight attendants - and I'm talking during boarding, not at the end of the flight - I've decided United must prep them for travel the same way bulls are prepped to go into the ring at a bullfight. There is no other explanation for adult professional coming to work so angry and aggressive.