So my folks recently expressed interest in going to China. Which is pretty cool. (Go parents!)

I'm happy flying coach, but seeing how infrequently they fly, I thought that I'd explore business/first class options for them, using their AS Mileage Plan miles.

This travel wouldn't take place for another year.

I've read the rumors here about the additional partner, which might work (though CX doesn't fly to Beijing/Shanghai), but let's pretend for a moment that I want to do this on current AS partners.

Northwest would be the obvious choice, but their World Business Class [from what I understand, never flown it] doesn't seem to be as nice, as... well... first class.

Using award miles...
0. CO doesn't appear to fly to China.

1. Can I route them from SEA via AA, even though the AA flight is codeshare to China on China Eastern metal? (My guess is no.)

2. Can I route them from SEA on British Airways (flying the long way around) in the really nice (having flown it) World Biz Class or First? (Probably a bad idea to start with, and my guess is no anyway.)

3. Any other suggestions?

Happy New Year!