^ Thank you for all the comments and information concerning Business Class seating on the older China Airline 747. I will try and check in earlier at the airport and ask for an exit row seat on the upper deck.

About 3 or 4 years ago, I was able to pre-select an exit row seat (both trans-pacific directions) on the airline's website. It is only recently that I see that the exit row seats are unavailable for pre-selection.