Mike Walker
Contributor
1) Which airline do you guys recommend for Asia trips and why?
flights.google.com - use the search, then use the price graph and date grid tools. If your dates are flexible you can get some really good deals this way. Sometimes it's cheaper to go the 'wrong way' around the globe.
Where in Asia will make a big difference as to which airline makes sense. Most routes outside major destinations/hubs you'll be on mulitple airlines via codeshares or otherwise.
Points and miles are far more relevant if you fly more often - even if it's over a long period of time. If this is a one-off trip look carefully at the math of benefit vs. time/effort for card bonuses and such.
As for airline experience - lots of variables there. Peasant class or big seat? That's the starting point for anyone to comment on what's relevant...
If you fit in a normal seat then you will never find better 'value' in premium cabins. At that point, you have to decide what is worth what to you.
I don't fit in a regular seat - so I've gotten pretty good at finding 'affordable' business class tickets. If my shoulders were 5" narrower I'd have different priorities.
With diving - make sure to include bag costs in your analysis as well.