Worst: HNL ->IHA->DC. FLight was an "over night" flight that left very late in the evening. It turned into a screaming baby turbulence express. A very painful experience. I was next to and directly in front of lap babies - both of whom screamed the entire flight, neither of whom wanted to be held in a lap (so they flung their limbs around, rocked, kicked, wailed, etc.). Both babies seemed least unhappy with their heads about 2" from my ears. Parents had to stay seated due to turbluence, which also kept me from escaping to the lav. I ended up putting my head between my knees because it was the farthest I could get from the noise. The entire section of the plance was really on edge by arrival in IAH. By the time I reached DC I was a total wreck and almost unable to function. (Jet lag also didn't help with a work schedule that started at 7am DC time: 1am HNL time for me.)

Best: Upgrade to first DTW->HNL on a NW (I think...) flight that had originated in Europe. It was super ritzy first (or Business first, or whatever they are calling that front section these days). Extra space, better than average service. I was able to sleep on the plane, something I almost never am able to do even in first.