Thanks for the feedback.
I am actually flying out of Boston, so my typical routing is EWR/ORD to PVG through CO/UA although they are both UA now. I would prefer Star Alliance carriers and while I have flown with Air China and Air Canada, the routing has changed (Air Canada isn't the shortest through Toronto anymore due to not selling the short layover tix) and Air China is through California which isn't the optimal route.
It looks like the extra seat seems a good option especially since the business is truly flat now. Never thought about the eating problem with a lapped child.