DL has service via DTW. DTW is a small airport and transfer should be relatively easy.

Another option is AC via YYZ. AC’s TPAC economy is okay. Each seat has PTV with AVOD IFE. There are also electrical outlets for PC, etc. The principal reasons why I suggest AC are:

(1) On your return flight from Asia, you are not subject to secondary security screening at the gate as you’d if flying directly to the U.S. It means that you can bring your bottle water purchased airside on board. It’s so silly and inconvenient to have to queue up at the gate to go through security again for the second time.

(2) The transfer at YYZ is relatively painless. You stay airside. From ATL to YYZ, you’re subject only to an abbreviated Canadian immigration process, just a passport check with dedicated connecting passenger wickets. No need to collect your baggage so long as they are checked through at ATL. Afterwards, you proceed to the international departure area in the same terminal with a minimum of fuss.

On your return flight from HKG, there is no Canadian immigration and custom formality. You stay airside throughout. You proceed directly to the connecting area for U.S. Pick up your baggage and proceed to U.S. C.B.P. pre-clearance at YYZ. On arrival at ATL, just pick up your baggage and go. No more U.S. C.B.P. formality as you’d have completed them at YYZ. Just like arriving on a domestic flight. It’s much better than coming off any flight at JFK, ORD or DTW where there would be two or three hundred passengers from your flight alone queuing to clear U.S. C.B.P. formalities and then the transfer to your onward flight that may involve a change of terminal.

AC uses 777 on this route. Seat pitch is adequate at 32” but you may also purchase “preferred seats” near the bulkhead and emergency exits for extra leg room.

As for hotels in Hong Kong, between the Mandarin and Four Seasons, I’d pick the Mandarin. Not sure if you are staying on points but there are many other equally good hotels at IMHO superior locations than the two mentioned - presumably the principal purpose of your trip is "rest and recreation".

The official web site of the Hong Kong Tourism Board is a good place to start planning your trip to Hong Kong. Have a great time!

www.discoverhongkong.com

P.S. Also check this out, you may be eligible for a free or discounted overnight hotel at Toronto if you fly AC:

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...ver/index.html