Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

And what is your destination in China? IMO it's better to avoid having two tickets for many reasons beyond the cost of purchasing the second ticket. [DL has good service into PVG and PEK, but you would need to connect at DTW, SEA, or elsewhere from the NYC area.]

It might also help to think about what aspects of business class matter most to you: flat beds, good lounges, good F&B, good on board service, good ground service, etc. The mainalnd Chinese carriers are generally bad for lounges and ground service, especially during IROPs. Their F&B is often considered inferior too.