I am the OP - the kids are 7 & 8 years old.

I was thinking of best chance for sleeping during the flight (ie more comfortable), but would definitely not rule out coach. We almost always fly coach anyways.

I haven't been to Europe in 10 years, but I seem to remember the flights leaving here at night & arriving in the AM. I was trying to imagine the ideal situation (avoiding what happened to us in Rome years ago when my husband drank too much on flight, no sleep at all, couldn't check into hotel because it was too early, stupidly decided that we'd go right to the Vatican for a long tour, bought pizza from a non-Italian pizza place, and promptly got sick - but that's another story!).

Thank you for all of the helpful advice! We will make this work!

Oh, and we are completely flexible about destination(s).